Blackjack Basic Strategy
Blackjack basic strategy is the set of rules that
tells you the correct way to play your hand when you have no knowledge
of the remaining cards. Basic strategy tells you when to hit, stand
double, split or surrender by factoring two things - your card and
the dealer's upcard. Undoubtedly, in the long run basic strategy
should help you to win more and lose less.
Blackjack basic strategy is very related to our coverage of blackjack
game theory, so if you haven't yet seen it, be sure to read the
useful content there. A good basic blackjack strategy will always
give you the best house edge possible. Below we've outlined a
very simple blackjack strategy that you can use if you so desire.
Although it's as basic as they come, it is still a very good game
plan that would see you being well ahead of the vast majority
of gamblers playing blackjack today.
A good basic blackjack strategy
Hard hands
|
- 10 or 11 - DOUBLE DOWN IF YOUR TOTAL
IS MORE THAN DEALER; OTHERWISE HIT
|
- 12 through 16 - HIT WHEN DEALER'S UPCARD
IS 7 OR HIGHER; STAND OTHERWISE
|
|
Soft Hands
- 13-18 - DOUBLE DOWN WHEN DEALER'S UPCARD
IS 5 OR 6
|
|
- 18 - HIT WHEN DEALER'S UPCARD IS 6 OR
LESS; STAND WHEN DEALER'S UPCARD IS 7 OR MORE
|
|
Pairs
- Always split a pair of aces or 8s
|
- Never split 10s, 4s or 5s
|
- Split all other pairs when dealer's upcard
is 6 or less
|
Never take insurance.
Since the advent of the modern computer,
blackjack basic strategy has been seriously redefined and analyzed
in order to determine which player-decisions would be most profitable
for every combination of an initial hand vs. dealer up card that
exists. So mathematically, it's a fact that it is in your favor
to at least follow basic strategy in order to milk the game for
all its worth and to your full benefit.
|