Optimal blackjack strategy
The following picture shows the optimal strategy for playing blackjack. As soon as you are dealt your cards you should consult the diagram and it will tell you whether you should double, split, bet or hold.
The dangers of chasing losses at blackjack
One of the mistakes novice gamblers make is to develop a system which is based on chasing losses. Apart from the fact that this is a method which is as doomed to fail as any other casino "system", there is a very good reason why this is exceptionally bad for blackjack.
Although the overall %return can be over 99%, which equates to a virtually 50/50 chance of making money, the chances of winning any particular hand are actually a lot lower than 50%. This is because blackjack allows you the chance of doubling up when the odds are in your favour.
Since the profits are skewed to the times when you can double, or when you get a blackjack, the chances of winning any particular hand are lower. This in turn means that the chances of getting a losing streak are therefore higher. Any increase in the chances of getting a losing streak should ring alarm bells for anyone contemplating using a loss recovery system ("chasing losses").
Since any system based on chasing your losses tries to win an even amount regardless of whether you win on the first, second or third hand etc,. the aim of such a system is to get a win on any of the hands, and that resets the system. There is no advantage to winning more often, just in avoiding the long losing streak that will kill your system. Because blackjack you are less likely to win hands than e.g. betting red or black at roulette, blackjack is not suitable for a loss recovery system.