Blackjack is hands-down the most popular table game at casinos in Oklahoma. Here at Kiowa Casino, players from Oklahoma and Texas alike regularly make the drive to Devol to test their luck at this classic table game.

The goal of this Vegas-style staple is to bust the dealer’s hand or to get your card total as  close to 21 as possible – known as a blackjack — without going over. Smart gamblers know when to hit, stand, double down, split pairs, or surrender. Great gamblers come to the table with a strategy.

Just like roulette, much of blackjack relies on luck. But depending on what suits you, there are many strategies you can use to boost your pay off. Here are just a few of the best blackjack strategies you can use to bring home all the chips.

Basic Strategy

Basic strategy shows the best possible move a player can make depending on their card total and the dealer’s up card. While Basic Strategy is the best way to play statistically, it doesn’t guarantee gamblers a 100% chance of winning. However, it helps players to make better decisions. Which will lead to the smallest possible amount of money loss. You can find basic strategy guides online or ask for one from the table games department at the casino.

Martingale Betting Strategy

The Martingale System is a negative-progression blackjack strategy rooted in the idea that you, in theory, will always win eventually. In this strategy, each time you lose, you double your bet. And before you leave us here, hang on. Successful play of this riskier strategy could pay off big.

Here’s how it works. Say you started with a $5 bet and lost. You would then bet $10 on your next hand — and $20 on the next if you lost again. After progressively making higher wagers, the odds are eventually you will win a hand, leaving you with a much higher payout than if you had bet a consistent amount. The big payout will also make up for any losses you may have accrued during your losing streak.

Caution: this approach is best reserved for high rollers. In blackjack, it’s not uncommon to have a losing streak of ten or more hands in a row. Without a large bankroll, continually doubling your bet to that degree could leave you with a wounded wallet.

Winning Streak Betting Strategies

This one’s for the risk takers. The Winning Streak Strategy is a positive-progression approach. Opposite to the Martingale Strategy, players using the Winning Streak Strategy double their bet every time they win.

For example, if you started with a $5 bet and won, your next bet would be $10. But if you then lost the next hand, you would stay at that $10 amount until you won again. At that point, you would double your bet again. And so on and so on. This betting strategy helps you take advantage of when the shoe is running hot!

Be aware: if you’re on a hot streak, it might be a good idea to call it after a few wins using this strategy. Each bet is an increasingly bigger swing, and you could end up losing a small fortune in a single hand. Much like the Martingale Strategy, this approach is best for players with a big bankroll, as it can get you in the hole fast.

Steady Betting Strategy

Not everyone is a high risk hitter. If you’re looking to settle in for a while (maybe with a cold drink from The Bar), the Steady Betting Strategy is your go-to. This slow burn approach is wildly simple: keep the same wager amount the entire time you play, no matter what happens.

Compared to other blackjack strategies, this limits large losses because you can always be sure what your bet is. Because of this, it’s easier to plan ahead. That consistency is why Steady Betting is a favorite for regular blackjack players. All you need is a little luck and a lot of time.

Where Can I Test My Luck at a Casino Near Me?

If you’ve gotten the blackjack itch after reading this, it’s your lucky day. Located just 15 minutes north of Wichita Falls, Texas and 30 minutes south of Lawton, Oklahoma, Kiowa Casino & Hotel is one of the best places to try out your blackjack strategy.

If you’ve always wanted to play blackjack but aren’t sure where to start, Kiowa’s friendly dealers are always happy to show you a few pointers. Blackjack tables are open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

While no strategy will guarantee a win, combining one with experience and skill could help you bring home the big bucks — and have a little fun too. We’ll see you soon!