There are plenty of bankroll management systems for blackjack that suggest playing more as you win, and some actually preach the opposite – playing higher amounts as you lose.
What if you could just always play the same? It turns out you can achieve this with the flat playing blackjack strategy.
Let’s take a closer look at the most important aspects of this strategy:
- What is flat playing
- How does flat playing work
- Whether it could be your next secret weapon or not!
What Is Flat Playing in Blackjack?
Flat playing is a bankroll management method where you play the same fixed amount on every hand, regardless of wins, losses, or perceived hot/cold streaks. Unlike more complicated systems, flat playing simplifies your blackjack sessions.
Let’s say you’re playing at a 10 minimum blackjack table. If you’re flat playing, you’ll place a 10 play on every single hand.
You don’t increase your play if you’re on a winning streak. You don’t double it after a loss, hoping to catch up. You stick to that 10 like it’s glued to your chips. If you play 50 hands, you’ve played a total of 500, regardless of the outcome.
Who is Flat Playing Best Suited For?
While flat playing might seem too cautious or even boring, it’s actually a widely used strategy. Here’s a breakdown of who flat playing appeals to and why:
Casual Players
Not everyone steps into a casino trying to beat the house. Some people are just looking for entertainment, the fun of the game, the social atmosphere, and the possibility of walking away with some extra cash.
Think of a tourist in Las Vegas who wants to enjoy a few hours of blackjack with a 200 budget. They’re not worried about beating the game, they just want a good time. Flat playing makes it more likely that they’re not out of the game too quickly after a bad run.
Advanced Players
Flat playing isn’t just for rookies. Believe it or not, even highly skilled card counters sometimes use flat playing, but for very specific reasons.
In card counting, you adjust your play based on the count of high and low cards remaining in the deck. When the deck is “rich” in high cards (10s, face cards, and Aces), the player has an edge and increases their play. But when the deck is “neutral” or “negative”, players don’t want to draw attention to that.
A card counter might play flat at online blackjack after two decks, risking 25 per hand for several rounds while the count remains low, then jump to 150 once the count spikes. That flat playing stretch protects their bankroll and keeps them under the radar.
Risk-Averse Gamblers
There’s a big difference between playing to win big and playing to play long. For players with limited bankrolls, time at the table is valuable, especially in blackjack, which emphasizes strategy.
An online blackjack player with a 50 deposit can play 100 hands at 0.50 each if they flat play, compared to just 20 or 30 hands if they try aggressive systems that increase play after losses. Flat playing allows you to play a longer session, which means more chances to win.
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Flat Play in Blackjack: Step-by-Step Guide
You might think this section would be one line: play the same every hand. But there’s more nuance if you want to do it correctly. Keep reading to try flat playing the right way.
Step 1: Set Your Bankroll
Decide how much you’re bringing to the table. This is your bankroll and needs to be treasured and protected.
Step 2: Choose Your Play Size
Divide your bankroll to ensure you can play at least 40-60 hands. The rule of thumb is that your flat play should be 1/50th to 1/100th of your total bankroll. So if you turn up to the casino with 500, you should play between 5 and 10 per hand.
Step 3: Stick to Your Play
No matter what happens, good streaks, bad beats, you must always play the same amount.
You win? Great. Stick to 10. You lost five in a row? Still 10. It doesn’t matter if you’re tempted to jack up your stake to get your losses back or believe you’re on a hot streak, you can never reach for additional chips!
Step 4: Use Basic Strategy
Pair flat playing with basic blackjack strategy. This minimizes the house edge to as low as 0.5% and maximizes your odds.
You can find basic strategy charts online or in most blackjack books. They tell you the best move (hit, stand, double, split) based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. For example, if you have a hard 13 and the dealer is showing a 6, basic strategy says you should always stand.
Step 5: Set a Win/Loss Limit
Flat playing in blackjack doesn’t guarantee profit, but it makes losses more manageable. Set a stop-loss and a cash-out goal to keep control of your session. For example, quit if you win or lose 100. Try playing with a buddy and instructing them to make sure you stick to your win/loss limit.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Flat Playing in Blackjack
Before you start flat playing every blackjack hand, consider these pros and cons to determine if this strategy is right for you.
✅ Pros:
- Simplicity: No mental gymnastics. It’s the easiest strategy to follow.
- Bankroll protection: Reduces the risk of fast, devastating losses.
- Emotional control: Less temptation to chase losses or get greedy.
- Good for long sessions: It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy the game at a steady pace over time.
- Pairs well with basic strategy: Helps keep the house edge low (around 0.5% in many games).
❌ Cons:
- Limited profit potential: You won’t hit big wins like with aggressive systems.
- Doesn’t exploit hot streaks: You miss out on maximizing when the cards are favorable.
- Can be slow-paced: Flat playing might feel boring.
- Not optimal for card counters: They rely on varying play sizes to gain an edge.
Alternatives to the Blackjack Flat Playing System
If flat playing feels too plain for you, check out the following alternative systems:
1. Martingale System
The Martingale blackjack system involves doubling your play after every loss and resetting to the original amount after a win. The idea is that one win will recover all previous losses and earn a small profit. While mathematically sound in theory, this system is risky, as hitting the table limit or running out of funds can lead to devastating losses quickly.
2. Paroli System
The Paroli blackjack system is a positive progression strategy where you double your play after each win and revert to your base play after a loss. It aims to capitalize on short winning streaks while capping potential losses. The Paroli system is generally considered less risky than Martingale, but a single loss at the peak of your progression can wipe out multiple prior wins.
3. Fibonacci System
With the Fibonacci sequence for blackjack (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…) you increase play after losses and progress through the sequence of numbers. You step back two numbers in the sequence after a win. The method is more conservative than Martingale but still relies on eventually winning to recover prior losses.
4. Oscar’s Grind
Oscar’s Grind blackjack approach is a more methodical bankroll management system. You increase your play by one unit only after a win, but only if you’re in a series of losses and haven’t reached your session profit goal. It’s designed to extract small and steady gains over time. However, it requires patience, and long losing streaks can delay profits.
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Is Blackjack Flat Playing Right for You?
Flat playing isn’t flashy, and it won’t turn you into a high-rolling legend overnight. This method is ideal for risk-averse players and those who want to maximize time at the table without blowing their bankroll.
If you’re looking for a low-stress, consistent way to play blackjack, flat playing deserves serious consideration. Pair it with a solid grasp of basic blackjack strategy, and you’ll be miles ahead of the average table hopper trying to recoup losses with wild jumps.
