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What is the 2-1-2 blackjack strategy, and how does it work? I cover this blackjack betting system in detail, explaining how to use it and going into detail on whether or not it can help you win.
The 2-1-2 is more of a betting system than a strategy in the traditional sense. As you’ll see, it’s all about taking advantage of small winning streaks. Let’s dive in and see how it works.
What is the 2-1-2 Blackjack Strategy?
The 2-1-2 blackjack strategy, aka Manhattan strategy, is a positive progression betting system for blackjack. It works a little bit like the d’Alembert in roulette, except that your wager stays the same after a loss and is reduced after the first win, then increasing after the second win.
As a progressive betting system, this 'strategy' has nothing to do with how you play your cards. Instead, it's all about what you do with your money. It does not fundamentally alter the odds of the game, and you don't need complex charts or math to use it.
This should be easy enough to grasp, but let’s look at a concrete example of how the 2-1-2 blackjack strategy works in the next section.
Step-by-Step 2-1-2 Blackjack System
- Start by betting two units. E.g., bet $2 at a classic blackjack table.
- If your bet loses, stay at two units, and start again.
- If you win, go down to one unit.
- If you win again, increase your bet to two units.
- Start the cycle again at this point.
Think of it like this: you always start again when you lose, and the 2-1-2 sequence tells you what to do when you win three in a row; bet two, then go down to one, then increase by one unit to two again. You’ll have to decide what one unit is for yourself.
See how simple the 2-1-2 blackjack strategy is? It has nothing to do with splitting, surrendering, doubling down, hitting, standing, or any of the other decisions you might have to make in blackjack. It’s all about bankroll management.
Does the 2-1-2 Blackjack Strategy Work?
It’s important to remember that, as with every blackjack strategy, the math of the game remains the same. That means the house will pocket 0.5% no matter what you do, and likely a lot more since few people play blackjack perfectly. This is the house edge, and it can’t be altered.
To test whether this system works, it helps to imagine it being used on a coin toss. Forget about specific blackjack rules for a moment; coin tosses pay even money, so they’ll serve well for our example.
- Bet two units on a coin flip and win. You’re up two units.
- Next, reduce your bet to one unit. If you win again, you have three units.
- On the next bet, wager two units. If you win again, you’re up five units in total.
See how it works when you go on a winning streak? It grows your bankroll quickly, and that’s what it’s designed to do.
Now let’s play it out again, but this time with the absence of Lady Luck.
- Bet two units and lose. You’re down two units.
- Stick to two units on the next bet. If you lose again, you’re down four.
- Again you bet two units. If you lose yet again, you’re down six units.
In reality, you’ll probably experience a mixture of wins and losses, but three-win or three-loss streaks could easily happen.
So, does the 2 1 2 blackjack strategy work? No, if you expect to beat the house edge and win consistently. Yes, if you want a more exciting experience that relies on streaks to boost your bankroll.
Like I said before, and like I’ll say 1,000 times in the future, nothing can change the fundamental math of casino games. If someone did invent such a strategy, they’d be the richest player in the world in next to no time.
More Blackjack Systems
There are various blackjack strategies out there, each with pros and cons. Here are a few of them so you can compare them to the blackjack betting strategy 2-1-2.
- Basic Strategy – Basic blackjack strategy is the first thing every player should learn. This is the foundation of good blackjack practice. Learn and memorize basic blackjack strategy as quickly as possible if you’re a new player.
- The Martingale – You can use the infamous Martingale betting system on blackjack. Double down on losing bets until you win, and you’ll eventually win back everything you have lost, plus your original stake. Look out for table limits!
- Card Counting – This is the stuff of legends. It so dramatically increases your chances of winning that casinos will ban you if they think you’re card counting. Learn how to do it and use it online, where it’s much harder to detect.
- The Paroli – Want to be more aggressive than the 2-1-2 blackjack system? The Paroli says to double your bet after every win for the win in a row. With greater risk comes bigger rewards!
