Regardless of how many times you have played blackjack, there is no one failproof betting strategy for this game. This guide will run through tournament play, how to win blackjack tournaments, and reveal the payout structure.
What are blackjack tournaments?
Blackjack tournaments will take place in either traditional brick-and-mortar casinos or online, and you will have to pay an entry fee to join in. The bigger the fee, the bigger the overall prize pool will be.
Although the bonhomie goes out the window between competitors during tournament play, you stand to win a lot of money if you play your cards right.
Most tournaments will be open to the public, while others will be on an invitation-only basis. Players can pay for chips, and if you get eliminated in the first round, you can re-buy and re-enter by paying another entry fee.
In the next section, we will take a closer look at the types of tournaments you can play which are ultra competitive, and you should make you understand what is expected of you before you join a game.
How does a blackjack tournament work
Tournament blackjack comes in many forms and guises, and we have highlighted some of the most common types of blackjack tournaments below:
- Traditional Elimination Tournaments
These are eminently the most popular format. You will be playing against other players at the table, with the table winners advancing to the next round, while those who lose will be eliminated from the round in question. However, in most elimination tournaments, you can wait to pay a re-buy fee and rejoin tournaments.
- Accumulation Tournaments
The goal with accumulation tournaments is to try to win as many chips as possible after several rounds of betting. The tournament leaders will be posted on a leaderboard so all players know what they need to catch those ahead of them and claim the most chips at the end of the tournament.
- Major tournaments
Players will usually have a high bankroll when it comes to competing in major events, and they will come with a sizeable pot (more than six figures), so the higher payoff will suit those who like to place large bets. Tournament players will compete over the course of a weekend, and they stand to win discounted rooms if they win when in the last hand.
- Sit ‘n’ GO
These are rolling tournaments where you will need at least six or seven players to get started. Popular since the advent of the Internet, this type of tournament is suitable for most players, but you will need to develop a basic Blackjack strategy, which we have outlined later in this guide.
Blackjack tournament rules
Some blackjack tournaments work differently, however, the basic premise is that you will play against other players as well as a dealer, and you will need to beware of your chip count.
Ultimately, your goal is to win more chips than other players, and if you are lucky, you can win a six-figure sum competing in a big tournament.
Also, your losses will be limited to the amount of your entry fee, so if your bets don’t come off, you can wait and re-enter at another juncture in the game.
Payout structure in a Blackjack tournament
Some blackjack tournaments will pay out at a ratio of 6:5 or 3:2, with the latter equating to 1.5 times the amount of your original stake. Some casinos are willing to offer better odds on bigger minimum bets.
We have provided a blackjack chart illustrating what you stand to win based on the size of your bets at odds of 3:2.
Blackjack payouts
| Wager size | Return |
|---|---|
| $10 | $15 |
| $20 | $30 |
| $50 | $75 |
| $100 | $150 |
| $200 | $300 |
| $500 | $750 |
Usually, blackjack tournaments will indicate whether they will pay out at 6:5 or 3:2, so you won’t be caught by surprise when you start betting.
Tournament strategy vs. regular Blackjack strategy
There are a few key differences between the strategy adopted by tournament players and those who are playing regular blackjack. We have outlined these below:
Blackjack Tournament strategy
- All tournament starts with the same number of chips.
- You need to play a set number of hands against other players.
- The winner will collect most of what is in the prize pool.
- You need to try and win as many chips as possible to bolster your chances of winning the cash prize.
- Know when to bet big and when to half your stack.
Regular blackjack strategy
- Always double down on a hard 11.
- Split pairs when the situation calls for it, such as a pair of 8s and aces. This could lead to a killer hand.
- Know what to do when a dealer hits a soft 17.
- Don’t make an insurance bet or the same bets as other players as this can be a sucker bet.
- Always choose a blackjack game that pays out at odds of 3:2 as opposed to 6:5.
Blackjack tournament strategies
Let’s run through a couple of basic strategy pointers that will stand you in good stead when you enter blackjack tournaments.
Preserve your bankroll
To ensure minimal risk, make sure you pick your battles wisely. In the past, some players would try and make big early bets in an effort to amass a mountain of chips, and while they may have had some success, some would have lost their entire bankroll and were made to pay the price. Instead, weigh up the situation and perhaps bet half of what you normally would so you can stay in the game and catch the leaders.
Be aware of position
Consider your position at the final table and assess how many chips you have left. Betting first at an elimination round can put you at a distinct advantage over all your opponents, and it can be a winning blackjack tournament strategy.
Blackjack tournament tips
Although this isn’t an exhaustive list, if you can follow these tips, then you will be able to stay ahead in the game and win more money after the last round.
- Widen your range – To bolster your range, you may need to split some pairs and if possible, double down on any starting cards.
- Keep an eye on who is in the lead – If you are within striking distance of the lead, don’t be overzealous and try to bet too much to win more chips. This can be a reckless move and you have a better chance of winning money if you bide your time.
- Have fun – Although there is an element of seriousness when it comes to a tournament along with the many possible outcomes attached, nothing justifies busting, so make sure you have fun. Gamble responsibly and stop placing bets if you begin to lose.
- Pay attention to time – In blackjack, it is quite easy to lose track of time. Make sure you know how long elimination rounds last, so that you can land enough chips and have enough to make other bets in the latter rounds.
Common mistakes in a Blackjack tournament
Some players will be prepared to go all in and stake the maximum amount for any given blackjack game. As such, here are some of the most common mistakes associated with those playing blackjack tournaments.
- Overbetting
Picture the scenario. Players were heading into the final hand and the chip lead had roughly $15,000 in chips while those at best had $5,000 in chips. The leader bet last and everyone who placed bets ahead of him or her went all in. Whenever your bankroll is 2.5 times greater than that of many players at the table, all you have to do is bet the minimum and you can’t lose the round. If you bet the full amount, a player can get lucky and be dealt blackjack.
- Get a half max bet lead
The thing that is special about half max bet lead tournaments is that you can bet slightly more than half of the max betting limit at the table. If you can bet enough and your opponents win, then you will have a healthy lead. On too many occasions, there have been many players who have failed to grasp this concept, and haven’t been able to establish a half bet max lead.
- Correlate when you are in the lead
Sometimes, the leader can get too greedy going into the final hand, and rather than betting the same amount, they went in for the maximum wager and they made a poor play in the round. You should play your hand or place bets not on what the dealer shows, but rather on what your opponents have done.
Skills you need to master to win blackjack tournaments
To get on the winning trail when betting during blackjack tournaments, here are a few unique skills that you need to master if you are going to succeed when the stakes are high.
- Know when to bet the maximum – While big bets can be tempting, you should only place a maximum bet or maximum wager if you feel have a strong chance of landing more chips. Or go for the low betting amount, so that if everyone else loses, you will have the most chips come the final table.
- Keeping track of your opponent’s chip counts – If you don’t how many chips your opponents have then you won’t know the bankrolls of your opponents and you won’t know how much to bet in a round.
- Determine the possible outcomes of a player’s bet – Blackjack has many factors, but if you can work out how many hands your opponents have played, as well as what his bankroll would be if he won, lost, or pushed his hand, then you will have a better chance to catch them if you bet wisely.
- Learn basic blackjack strategy – To win more money, the first rule is to have a basic understanding of blackjack strategy, so you can change tack or deviate when betting from the first hand to the last hand.
- Understand the importance of correlating – As mentioned, this is where you bet the same amount as your opponents, so if you have enough chips, you can either bet small or go for a big bet if you are confident it will pay off.
- Establish when to lock out opponents at the table – This means that when you are playing, no matter what the outcome, you will be able to advance with the other table winners.
The role of position in a Blackjack tournament
Perhaps one key takeaway when it comes to blackjack tournament play, is to be aware of your position from one round to the next round. Resembling poker, a button will be placed on the table, and the player that starts will be the one who receives the button will start. After the first play, the action will move to the left of the table.
As mentioned, position is critical especially when it comes to the last hand. If you have the most chips at this stage, then you will have had to bet more aggressively at the table in the preceding rounds to establish a lead.
However, if players start to bust, then the position of the button on the table in the last hand will change, especially if you are the chip leader. If you find yourself to be the chip leader, it is best to bet a small amount with your final hand, so even if your opponents get one chip, they can’t overtake you.
If you find yourself behind going into the final table, then you should make maximum bets that is worth more than half your stack, although watch bets closely, and pay attention to the betting limits imposed.
So, if you are in doubt, then you should bet big if you want to claim the most chips rather than suffer if the dealer wins.
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While blackjack contains certain rules and is laden with strategy, such as advising players against, for example, splitting pairs of a certain variety, tournament play can be inherently fun. If you can keep your composure at the table and make sensible decisions from the second hand through to the final hand, then you can make a maximum bet at the end and become the chip leader.
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