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Basic Blackjack Strategy
Although some folks think of blackjack as a game similar to the strategy-laden game of poker, it’s actually not. Blackjack is more akin to a game of chance, such as roulette, baccarat or craps. It does not involve bluffing, numerous raises or complex combinations of cards. However, there are some basic techniques that can still help make you a better player and increase your chances of winning.
Blackjack is all about getting closer to 21 points than the dealer and doing so without going over. For the sake of this article on strategy, we’ll assume that you understand the basic rules of the game. Although these rules, such as splitting, hitting soft, peek or no-peek and number of decks involved, vary from online casino to casino, the basic blackjack strategy outlined in this article can be adapted to all variants.
Blackjack Strategy and the Hand You’re Dealt
Here are some guidelines concerning what to do with a basic blackjack hand. Remember that no strategy guarantees that you’ll win. It simply increases your chances of winning.
- If your hand totals two through eight, then you should simply hit.
- If the dealer has a seven or higher and you hold 12 through 16, then you should hit.
- Stand if your point totals are 17, 18, 19 or 20. That’s all there is to it. Do not hit.
- If you have 21, you automatically win.
Blackjack Strategy When Doubling Down
Doubling down in blackjack, which means that you double your bet after you get your first two cards, can really be advantageous if you do it at the right time. If you do double down, you’ll only get one more card. Thus, there’s some simple strategy to follow when doubling down in blackjack.
- If the dealer shows two through six and your hand totals nine, then double down.
- If the dealer reveals two through nine and you hold a total of 10, then double down.
- If the dealer shows no ace and you have 11, then double down. If the dealer shows an ace, you should not double down.
Blackjack Strategy for a Soft Hand
A soft hand is one in which you hold an ace. You want to hit on these hands until they become stiff hands; stiff hands are those that total from 12 through 16 points.
- If the dealer holds five or six and you possess an ace and two or ace and three then double down. If the dealer has anything else but you still hold the same hand, then simply hit.
- If the dealer has anything from a four through six and you hold an ace and four or ace and five, then double down. If the dealer has anything else, then hit.
- If the dealer is holding anything from three through six and you’re holding an ace and seven, then double down. If the dealer has anything else, then hit.
- If the dealer has three through six and you have an ace with a seven, you should double down. Stand if the dealer shows a two, seven or eight and simply hit if the dealer reveals anything else.
- With an ace and eight or an ace and nine, you should always stand.
Blackjack Strategy and Splitting
In blackjack if you’re dealt pairs you may split them. This allows you to play two hands at once as with splitting you do hit on each card individually, giving you two chances to win. You may win on both hands, neither or just one.
- If you’re dealt a pair of aces or eights, then split them. You should always split aces and eights.
- Pairs you should never split are fives, 10s or face cards.
Following basic blackjack strategy will, overall, increase your chances of winning and also add some zest to your game. When playing online use this article as a cheat sheet to guide you to success.