In the game of blackjack, the player must make the right decisions based on probability. However, even with the best strategy and discipline, there is always a chance of losing a hand. This is why it’s important to understand how to play blackjack correctly and how to minimize your losses.

If you’re dealt a pair of aces or eights, you should split them. This is one of the basic strategies in blackjack and is very profitable for players. In addition, it helps maximize winning hands in the long run. However, it’s important to remember that splitting these cards requires an additional bet. Hence, you should only do so if you think that the dealer will bust.

The first step to a good blackjack strategy is learning how to count cards. This involves predicting which cards are likely to come out and is a time-consuming activity that requires prior training and skill. Counting cards in blackjack is different from counting in other card games, as you need to keep track of the total number of cards dealt. This will give you a better idea of the likelihood of a certain event occurring during the game, such as a dealer’s bust or a player’s win.

You should also know when to double down in blackjack. The best times to double down are when you have a hard 11, which is the value of your two initial cards, or when the dealer has an upcard that’s likely to cause him to bust. For example, if the dealer has a four, there’s a 40% chance that he will bust. Therefore, doubling down will increase your chances of winning by reducing the chance that you will lose to the dealer.

Another way to minimise your losses in blackjack is to use the surrender option. This will allow you to save half of your bet and prevent you from losing your money. In fact, it’s the best way to get back the money you lost in the previous round. However, it’s important to note that this option is only available for certain situations and not all blackjack variations offer this feature.

Aside from basic blackjack strategy, you can also maximise your chances of winning by playing short blackjack sessions. By playing shorter blackjack sessions, you will have a higher chance of escaping short losing streaks. This way, you can avoid the negative psychological effects associated with losing streaks and increase your chances of winning. Moreover, you should learn how to play Blackjack side bets in order to maximise your winnings. However, you should remember that these bets will have a greater house edge than your main blackjack bet. Hence, they are not ideal for beginner players. Nevertheless, they are worth considering for experienced players.