in

Tips on Money Management in Blackjack

Blackjack game icon with cards and coins

This article is not about basic strategy principles, deposits, and other nuances of the game, as well as tricks. We assume people who read it are not regulars in the casino but periodically test their fortunes at a blackjack table. Agree that there are a lot of such players. You could even say that many professionals began their careers with such an attitude. So, some principles will vary from complex strategies to meet various conditions.

So we will talk about emotions in handling your bankroll and some other points that affect successful money management.

Blackjack is a relatively volatile game. You may experience nasty luck streaks, so you must learn to control yourself, plan the distribution of your finances, and skillfully make bets. After two or three defeats, players become amenable to their emotions and unnecessarily raise the stakes, hoping to win back in one swoop. Such a game is unwinnable and will never give you fun.

Even relatively stable positive results in blackjack are only possible with proper bankroll management. Here are its fundamental rules.

Do Not Gamble with Your Last Money

One of the most important rules for any game, including blackjack, is playing only for the money you can afford to lose. If there is any reason (emotional, moral, or financial) to refrain from playing in the specific case, it is better to do it. Professionals start the game only with a particular portion of their bankroll. This is money specially designed for this purpose. And you should only risk that the amount lost will bring you too strong shocks. Never bet money that was intended for other purposes.

Of course, you must not borrow money for playing at casinos. This practice is widely spread, but it is the worst thing for a player.

We advise you because the player's emotional state is greatly enhanced when he is too afraid of losing money. Such experiences make the game torture and force players to make wrong decisions. You sit at the table to recharge your positive energy. You might get a heart attack. In your head, there should not be thoughts about losing. If you start scrolling through options, such as where to get more money, how to plug a gap in the finances in case of loss, or where to get more money, it is a sign that you must stop playing.

It is better to try winning back the next day when the storm of emotions in your soul settles, and you will think soberly again. Rest will allow you to organize your thoughts, analyze your mistakes, and even wait for other dealers' shifts. The last point will help you, at least psychologically.


Have a Sufficient Bankroll

If you plan to play blackjack for a long time, take a large enough amount for the game. However, you can go on the reverse: make the bets according to your bankroll. The sum should be large enough to exclude the possibility of a prolonged series of defeats. So, do not rush to raise bets immediately if you are starting to lose. If today is not your day, the chances of losing all the money at once are too large. Do not give your fate entirely to the hands of fortune.

Vary bets in the range of a few units. We recommend playing within four to six bets. For example, starting the game with five dollars, never bet more than twenty or thirty dollars.

But even with this approach, it makes sense to come to the casino, hoping for eight to ten hours of play, with money for 150-200 bets. Starting with five dollars and not exceeding thirty, you should take about a thousand. Playing at the lower-stakes table is better if you do not have it.

Nevertheless, if you play without changing the bet, the bank may be enough for 50-100 bets. With this approach, you can play for ten to twenty hours at a stake of five dollars, bringing 250-500 dollars.

Of course, with a favorable scenario, you might get lucky at the start, and you will begin to play in the casino. But if luck turns its back on you, you will have stock from the tipping point.

jack of diamonds

Split Your Whole Bankroll into Several Amounts

It is better to divide the whole process into game sessions, each with no more than thirty bets. That's enough to cover the various fluctuations in the game.

After losing the allotted amount or reaching the other limits, it is better to take a break and relax. You can change the table or even a game. It depends on your preferences and taste. Following this tactic, you will not quickly lose all your money and have more chances to win back at the start of the failure.

Just Stop Playing

If a player can control himself and does not surrender to emotions, he will come away with a win or a loss within the set amount. A cold-blooded player never allows himself to be left without money after the first game. He also never loses all the money won at some point during a gaming session.

In other words, a good player knows when he must stop playing.

tips on casino money management

So, do not raise bets above your capabilities, do not pursue the maximum win, and get up from the table - all of this will help you reduce the size of your loss.

If you are lucky, place the won money in the untouchable stack, and under no circumstances do not take the chips from it. Once the rest of the money runs out, stop the game. You can set yourself a certain amount to stop.

Increasing bets in a successful game are also quite risky because losing even a couple of hands with big bets can rob you of all previous winnings. In addition, the bet size does not influence the house edge, so it is best to stick to a selected range with all hands. Success in blackjack mostly depends on making the right decisions. This is an intellectual game, and "jumping" at bets should be reasonable.

To summarize the above, if you plan to continue playing blackjack, take the time to study the basic strategy first. Without it, your results will be too unstable.

Frequently asked Questions

😎 Why is money management so important when playing blackjack?

Effective money management forms the bedrock of a sustainable blackjack strategy because it helps you weather the inevitable fluctuations of wins and losses that occur during gameplay. Without a well-defined approach to handling your funds, you risk depleting your bankroll quickly, even if you understand basic strategy. Proper money management allows you to stay in the game longer, giving you more opportunities to capitalize on favorable situations and ride out losing streaks without being forced to quit prematurely. It instills discipline and prevents emotional decision-making, which can often lead to impulsive and costly bets. Ultimately, it shifts the focus from chasing immediate wins to ensuring the longevity of your playing sessions and maximizing your potential for long-term enjoyment.

💳 How much of my total bankroll should I risk on a single hand of blackjack?

A commonly recommended guideline is to risk a very small percentage of your total bankroll on any single hand, typically between one and five percent. This conservative approach helps to minimize the impact of losing streaks. For instance, if you have a bankroll of $1000, adhering to this guideline would mean wagering no more than $10 to $50 on a single hand. This principle of small, proportional betting helps to protect your capital and reduces the likelihood of significant losses wiping out your funds in a short period. By keeping your bet sizes relatively small compared to your overall bankroll, you create a buffer that allows for natural variations in the game without jeopardizing your ability to continue playing.

💲 What is the difference between a betting unit and my total bankroll in blackjack money management?

Your total bankroll represents the entire amount of money you have allocated specifically for playing blackjack. A betting unit, on the other hand, is a smaller, predetermined amount that you consider to be your standard bet size. Establishing a betting unit, such as $10 or $25, helps to standardize your wagers and makes it easier to follow your money management plan. Your betting unit should always be a small fraction of your total bankroll, as discussed previously. Using betting units provides a practical way to control your risk on each hand and allows for adjustments to your bet size based on specific money management strategies without having to constantly calculate percentages of your entire bankroll.

❔ Should I increase my bets after a win in blackjack?

There are various schools of thought on adjusting bets after a win, and it often depends on the specific money management system you are employing. Some players might choose to increase their bet slightly after a win, capitalizing on perceived momentum. However, it's crucial to do so cautiously and within the bounds of your established money management rules. Avoid the temptation to drastically increase your bets after just one or two wins, as this can quickly erode any gains. More conservative approaches advocate for maintaining consistent bet sizes regardless of short-term outcomes or only making gradual increases based on a predefined sequence within a specific betting system.

🙋‍♂️ What should I do if I hit a losing streak while playing blackjack?

Experiencing losing streaks is an inherent part of playing blackjack, and having a plan to navigate them is essential for sound money management. The most crucial step is to resist the urge to chase your losses by increasing your bet sizes in an attempt to quickly recoup what you've lost. This often leads to even greater losses. Instead, stick to your predetermined betting unit and perhaps even consider temporarily reducing your bet size if your money management plan allows for it. Taking short breaks from playing can also help to clear your head and prevent emotional decisions driven by frustration. Remember that losing streaks are temporary, and adhering to your strategy is the best way to recover over the long run.

📈 How do concepts like "stop-loss limits" and "profit targets" fit into blackjack money management?

Stop-loss limits and profit targets are crucial tools for proactive money management in blackjack. A stop-loss limit is a predetermined amount of losses that, once reached, signals that you should end your playing session to protect your remaining bankroll. This prevents significant losses and helps to maintain discipline. A profit target, conversely, is a specific amount of winnings that, when achieved, indicates that you should conclude your session with a profit. Setting profit targets helps to avoid the risk of giving back your winnings by continuing to play when you might be tired or less focused. Both stop-loss limits and profit targets provide clear boundaries for your playing sessions, promoting responsible gambling habits and contributing to the preservation of your bankroll.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

An expert in:
  • casino operations
  • management
  • gambling analytics
  • RTP
  • volatility
  • regulation
  • trends
  • reviews
  • editorial
  • expertise
Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
Write a comment
Typed 0 synbols, min 50, max 2000
Rate
You rated
0/10