• Casino & Gaming

Single Deck Blackjack Strategy Guide

Single deck blackjack offers players unique advantages that are not available in other forms of the popular card game. You can maximize these advantages with a winning strategy for single deck blackjack. A good strategy can also help you minimize the challenges in this blackjack variation.

This comprehensive strategy guide will teach you everything you need to know about playing single deck blackjack. I will break down the ins and outs of this style of blackjack and detail the best strategies for winning consistently. Also, I will tell you how to play blackjack online safely.

What Is Single Deck Blackjack?

So, what is single deck blackjack? As the name implies, this version of blackjack uses just one 52-card deck. This is a significant change from other variations of blackjack that use six or eight-deck shoes.

The reduced number of decks has a measurable impact on the expected return to the player (RTP). Single deck blackjack has the highest RTP of any style of blackjack.

However, the casino has plenty of tools at its disposal to help increase its house edge. For instance, single deck games typically offer 6:5 odds instead of 3:2 odds for blackjack. Thankfully, skilled players can still overcome the house edge with the right single deck blackjack strategy.

Single Deck Blackjack Strategy

With the right system, single deck blackjack can be your best shot at beating the casino. Here are five tips for creating your strategy for single deck blackjack games.

Read the Rules

For the most part, single deck games have the same blackjack rules as other variations. Your goal is to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 without going over. However, there are some rules in single-deck games that will differ from one casino to another.

A few of the rules you need to know include the following:

• Dealer’s rules for a soft 17
• The player’s ability to double down after a split
• Option to surrender
• Payout odds for a natural blackjack

Most sites allow the dealer to hit on a soft 17 and prevent the player from doubling down after a split. These options increase the house edge, which is especially important for the casino in single deck blackjack. Likewise, decreasing the payout odds from 3:2 to 6:5 for a natural also increases the house edge.

Knowing these rules ahead of time can help you adjust your strategy as needed. Playing at casinos with player-friendly rules can help you decrease the house edge even more.

Advantage Play in Single Deck Blackjack

Advantage play techniques are some of the most successful blackjack strategies. It is easier than normal to use these strategies in single deck blackjack games.

A few advantage play techniques to try in single deck games include:

• Card counting
• Shuffle tracking
• Hole carding

Card counting is especially useful in single deck games. There are fewer decks, so you do not need to count cards as long. This is great news for players who are new to counting cards, as you do not need to remember the count for as long.

You will also have more options for shuffle tracking and hole carding. The dealer will have to shuffle the deck more often because there are fewer cards in the shoe.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

Basic blackjack strategy is also very effective in single deck games. However, you need to make sure that you use the correct basic blackjack strategy chart for single deck games.

As I mentioned above, casinos can have different rules for whether a dealer can hit on a soft 17, options for surrendering, and more. These differences in rules can impact the decisions you should make with this strategy.

You need to make sure you use the right chart based on the rules of the single deck blackjack table you are playing at. For instance, basic strategy recommends surrendering if you have a 15 or 16 and the dealer is showing a 10. However, if the casino does not allow surrendering, then you should hit. 

Avoid Costly Side Wagers

Another important strategy tip to keep in mind when playing single deck games is to avoid blackjack side wagers. The best part of single deck blackjack is its extremely low house edge. However, side wagers give the casino a chance to swing the house edge back in its favor.

The best example of a costly side wager in blackjack is the insurance wager. Depending on the rules of the table, the house edge in single deck games is usually 1.45% or lower. The right strategy and player-friendly rules can reduce the edge closer to 0.50%.

However, the house edge on the insurance wager is typically 5.9%. Other side bets, such as pairs or 21+3, can also have a high house edge. If you want to maximize your chances of winning, it is best to avoid these bets.

Stick to Your Bankroll

A fifth strategy for winning at single deck blackjack is to stick to your bankroll. This strategy applies to any game in the casino, but it is important not to forget it. Setting your bankroll is one of the first steps to being a successful blackjack player.

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Knowing your bankroll will help you decide which blackjack table to play at. You should choose a table that fits your betting limits. Otherwise, you will burn through your bankroll too quickly and will not be able to play.

Creating your bankroll for blackjack is only half the battle, though. You also need to make sure you stick to your bankroll while you are playing.

The key to being a successful blackjack player is racking up wins over time. Even advantage play strategies require a time commitment on behalf of the player. So, you need to follow your bankroll to ensure you have enough funds available to take advantage of a favorable deck and win money in blackjack.

Where to Play Single Deck Blackjack Online

There are many different strategies you can use to be successful at single deck blackjack. The best way to find the system that works for you is to try the game for yourself. You can play single deck games online at these secure blackjack casinos.

Bovada Casino

One of the top casino sites for playing blackjack is Bovada Casino. This gambling site offers many varieties of blackjack, including multiple single deck variants. You can even test the blackjack games in a free demo mode, so it is easy to find the right version for you.

Bovada also makes it easy to fund your bankroll for blackjack. It accepts multiple secure payment methods, including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

You can also take advantage of a great casino welcome bonus at this gambling site. The top welcome offer is a 125% deposit match on your first three deposits. You can claim a total of $3,750 in extra blackjack funds with this casino welcome promotion.

DuckyLuck Casino

Another great option for playing single deck blackjack online is DuckyLuck Casino. This casino offers over half a dozen blackjack variations to choose from. It also has exciting liver dealer blackjack options to choose from.

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Like Bovada, DuckyLuck allows you to play many of its games, including single-deck blackjack, for free. There are great casino bonuses for players who want to play for cash prizes. For instance, you can claim a 600% deposit match worth up to $3,000 when you deposit with crypto.

Existing members can claim great bonuses, as well, thanks to this site’s exciting VIP rewards program. You can redeem special deposit bonuses every day, so you will also have bonus funds available for blackjack.

BetUS Casino

BetUS is also a great casino for playing single deck blackjack online. You can choose from over two dozen blackjack games at this casino. There are multiple single deck games available, including one specifically designed for blackjack high rollers.

The casino itself is very easy to use, thanks to its state-of-the-art user interface. So, you can quickly find the variation of blackjack that you want to play.

BetUS offers a great 250% casino welcome bonus worth up to $5,000. This casino also offers exciting promotions for existing members. The Money Back Mondays promo, for instance, offers you the chance to get up to $500 in cashback every week. 

Are You Ready to Play Single Deck Blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games at US casinos. You can maximize your chances of winning by choosing high RTP variants, such as single deck games. Using just one deck reduces the house edge and makes advantage play techniques more effective.

Check out the guide above to learn how to play single deck blackjack online today. I break down the top strategies for this style of blackjack. Also, I tell you the top online casinos for playing blackjack with a single deck.