Blackjack
is different from most casino games in Blackjack, the player
has the ability to influence the outcome of the game from
the second the player cuts the deck of cards. The dealer
is basically nothing more than a robot. He follows set regulations
and makes no choices of his own.
Three separate tactics can help you win at Blackjack: Approach
blackjack as a game of luck, but a game where you have to
control the amount of money you let go. Decide when to call
a card and when to stand regardless of what the dealer shows.
Utilize an appropriate money management method like the
Paroli System and set suitable profit and loss limits for
when to get out of the game. You can apply an appropriate
money arrangement like the D'Alenbert System and decide
on fitting profit and loss limits for when to leave. Or
you can opt to play Blackjack by relying on Card Counting.
The Blackjack Basic Strategy Rules
There are a basic set of rules that apply to all blackjack
games:
General
Always stand on 17 or better.
Always hit on 12-16 when dealer shows 7 or higher.
Always hit on 8 or less.
Doubling Down
Always double down on 11.
Double down on 10 when dealer shows 9 or lower.
Double down on 9 when dealer shows 6 or lower.
Soft Hands
Always stand on soft 19 and 20.
Always double down on soft 13-18 when dealer shows 4,5,
or 6.
Splits
Always split aces and 8's.
Never split 10-face cards and never split 5's.
Always split 3's and 2's when the dealer shows 4,5,6, or
7.
Why Split
Most casinos allow you to split two initial cards
of the same value and play them as two separate hands while
staking an equal amount to the first bet on the new hand.
You never split two 5s or two 10s. If you have two 5s you
have a total of ten and a very good chance of drawing a
ten to make a strong hand of 20. If you have two 10s you
are already there. However, if you have two Aces or 8s you
should usually split them. The two aces give you two chances
for Blackjack, (although it generally only pays evens on
split hands) and two 8s gives you two chances to make 18
instead of the rather poor 16 that you have.The other splitting
decisions depend more on the dealer's face up card.
Why Double Down
This enables you to double your bet when the odds
of you winning are better than the dealer's. Casino rules
do vary, but you would normally only want to double down
when you have a hand worth 9, 10 or 11 and the dealer's
face up card is less than your total. Also you may double
down on a soft 13 to 17 if the dealer has a poor face up
card.
Surrender
Surrender is allowed at some casinos and allows
the player to surrender their hand and lose half their stake.
This would usually only be taken if the player had a 15
or 16 against a dealer 9,10 or Ace.
Insurance
Insurance allows the player to bet that the dealer
has blackjack. This pays 2:1. This bet is not generally
used in blackjack basic strategy and should be ignored.
Basic Strategy - Single Deck
Your Hand vs Dealer's Upcard
8 Double on 5 to 6. Otherwise hit.
9 Double on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
10 Double on 2 to 9. Otherwise hit.
11 Always double.
12 Stand on 4 to 6. Otherwise hit.
13 to 16 Stand on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
17 to 21 Always stand.
A,2 to A,5 Double on 4 to 6. Otherwise hit.
A,6 Double on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
A,7 Double on 3 to 6. Stand on 2,7,8 or A. Hit on 9 or
10.
A,8 Double on 6. Otherwise stand.
A,9 Always stand.
A,A Always split.
2,2 Split on 3 to 7. Otherwise hit.
3,3 Split on 4 to 7. Otherwise hit.
4,4 Same as 8 above.
5,5 Same as 10 above.
6,6 Split on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
7,7 Split on 2 to 7. Stand on 10. Otherwise hit.
8,8 Always split.
9,9 Split on 2 to 9 except 7. Stand on 7,10 or A.
10,10 Always stand.
The above chart assumes the casino doesn't allow doubling
down after pair splitting. If the casino allows doubling
down after pair splitting then use the following pair splitting
rules.
Your Hand vs Dealer's Upcard
2,2 Split on 2 to 7.Otherwise hit.
3,3 Split on 2 to 7.Otherwise hit.
4,4 Split on 4,5 or 6. Otherwise hit.
6,6 Split on 2 to 7. Otherwise hit.
7,7 Split on 2 to 8. Stand on 10. Otherwise hit.
Basic Strategy - Four, Six, Eight Deck
Your Hand vs Dealer's Upcard
5 to 8 Always Hit.
9 Double on 3 to 6. Otherwise hit.
10 Double on 2 to 9. Hit on 10, A.
11 Double on 2 to 10. Hit on A.
12 Stand on 4 to 6. Otherwise hit.
13 Stand on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
14 Stand on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
15 Stand on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
16 Stand on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
17 Always stand.
18 Always stand.
A,2 Double on 5,6. Otherwise hit.
A,3 Double on 5,6. Otherwise hit.
A,4 Double on 4 to 6. Otherwise hit.
A,5 Double on 4 to 6. Otherwise hit.
A,6 Double on 3 to 6. Otherwise hit.
A,7 Double on 3 to 6. Stand on 2,7 or 8. Hit on 9,10 or
A.
A,8 to A,10 Always stand.
A,A Always split.
2,2 Split on 2 to 7, Otherwise hit.
3,3 Split on 2 to 7. Otherwise hit.
4,4 Split on 5,6. Otherwise hit.
5,5 Never split. Treat as 10 above.
6,6 Split on 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
7,7 Split on 2 to 7. Otherwise hit.
8,8 Always split.
9,9 Split on 2 to 6, 8 or 9. Stand on 7,10, or A.
10,10 Always stand.
The above multiple deck basic strategy is valid if the
players are allowed to double down after pair splitting.
If doubling down is not allowed after pair splitting, then
use the following pair splitting rules.
Your Hand vs Dealer's Upcard
2,2 Split on 4 to 7.Otherwise hit.
3,3 Split on 4 to 7. Otherwise hit.
4,4 Never split. Always hit.
6,6 Split on 3 to 6. Otherwise hit.
