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"Basic Blackjack Strategy"
The following description of basic blackjack strategy is based on the multi-deck blackjack
game found in several Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos.
"Soft" & "Hard" Hands:
A hard hand is a hand without an Ace where the payer's total is given by the
face values of the cards, or a hand with an Ace that can only be counted as 1. A
soft hand is a hand with an A which can be counted as either 1 or 11. For
example, Ace, 4 is a soft hand because the Ace may be counted as a 1 or 11; but Ace,
4, 7 is not, since counting the Ace as 11 would be a bust.
Hit or Stand:
The guidelines for hitting are rather straightforward. If the dealer shows a
2 or 3, you continue to take a hit until you have a hard 13 or a soft 18. If the
dealer shows 4, 5, or 6, you continue to take a hit until you reach a hard 12 or
a soft 18. If the dealer shows 7 or 8, you continue to take a hit until you have
a hard 17 or a soft 18. It the dealer shows anything higher than 8, you continue
to take a hit until you have a hard 17 or a soft 19.
When to Split:
Always split Ace's. The totals of 2 or 12 are not nearly as good as hitting
11's.
Never split 10's. Two 10's is a great hand -- don't screw it up!
Never split 5's, but you may want to double down!
Splitting 4's is a close call. Don't do it in one or two deck games. Do it in
multideck games when the dealer shows a 5 or 6.
Split 9's against a dealer card of 2 - 9 except 7. The reason for this
exception is simple. You have 18. The dealer's most probable total is 17. Don't
screw up a good thing.
Splitting 8's, like 4's, depends on casino blackjack rules. Always do it when
the dealer shows 2 - 9. If the dealer shows 10 or Ace and you happen to be lucky
enough to be playing in a game that allows early surrender, you should
surrender. If surrender is not an option, split.
Splitting 6's and 7's is straightforward. If the dealer's card is higher than
your card, don't split.
Always split 2's or 3's if the dealer's card is less than 8. You should also
note that the "value" of splitting is increased if you are playing in a game
that allows doubling down after a split.
When to Double Down:
The principle behind doubling down (and splitting) is that it increases the
amount of your money in play when the conditions of the hand are in your favor.
These are both very important parts of expert blackjack play and must be
mastered. Once again, the best way to present the guidelines is in a table.
Double Down on 11 if the dealer shows 2 - 10 . Double down on a 10 if the dealer
shows 2 - 9. Double down on 9 when the blackjack dealer shows 3 - 6. Double down
on Ace, 7 or A, 6 when the dealer shows 3 - 6. You should double down on Ace, 5 or
Ace, 4 when the dealer shows 4 - 6. Double down on Ace, 3 or Ace, 2 when the dealers
up card is a 5 or 6.
When to Surrender:
Late surrender is still permitted in some casinos. The guidelines are
straightforward. If Dealer shows Ace,9, or 10 surrender If holding any 16 except 8
, 8. You should surrender if the dealer is holding a 10 and you're holding 15.
Early surrender provides a tremendous advantage for the player which is why
you may never find a game that allows it. If you are lucky enough to find one,
if dealer shows Ace, early surrender if holding all hard 5 - 7 and 12 - 17 . If
the dealer is showing 10, early surrender if you are holding all hard 14 - 16.
Finally, if the dealer is showing a 9, you should early surrender if holding 10,
6 or 9 , 7.
When to Take Insurance: Never!
You should note that there are certain times when taking insurance
could be advantageous to the player, but these circumstances can only be
detected by the best card counters.
You have learned how to bring the odds to just about even in most casino
blackjack games. If you follow the rules of blackjack basic strategy presented
here, it will essentially remove the casino's advantage over you while you play.
This will allow you as a recreational blackjack player to play casino blackjack as
much as you want without fear of losing your life savings.
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