Basic Strategy For Blackjack Part 1
Blackjack
Aug 22, 2000, 13:10
By M. Wilson Staff
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This is part of the strategy you should follow whenever you play casino blackjack; it is based upon computer trials of tens of thousands of hands and the idea is to always play according to which move will win most often over time. You should not deviate from basic strategy unless you are counting cards and you have more information about when the deck is "rich" (has more ten-value cards than low cards). When the instructions refer to "10s" it means face cards, whose value is ten, as well as 10s themselves. You should memorize basic strategy, and practice it until it is second nature. However, casinos do permit you to carry and use a blackjack strategy card, which has a chart of basic strategy moves.
Let's start with the easier hands to learn. Listed first here is instructions for what to do with a hand that contains NO ACE. Look for the line that lists your hand's total, and read what your move should be, according to what the dealer's upcard (the card of his that's lying faceup) is.
HARD HANDS (No Ace)
If you have 17-21, always Stand, whatever dealer's upcard is.
If you have 16, Stand when dealer has 2-6; otherwise Hit.
If you have 13-15, Stand when dealer has 2-6; otherwise Hit.
If you have 12, Stand when dealer has 4-6; otherwise Hit.
NOW THE MORE COMPLEX ONES, HARD HANDS STILL.
If you have 11, always Double Down, whatever dealer's upcard is.
If you have 10, Double Down if dealer's card is less than 10; and Hit on A or 10.
If you have 9, Double Down if permitted on dealer's 2-6; otherwise, Hit on 7-A.
If you have 8, Double on dealer's 5 or 6 if permitted; otherwise Hit.
If you have 7, always Hit.
If you have 6, always Hit.
If you have 4 or 5, always Hit. Note: Your 4 here is when you have a pair of 2s after Splitting and you are not permitted to Split again.
WHAT TO DO WITH PAIRS
If you have a pair of 10s, Stand. Never Split them.
If you have a pair of 9s, Split if dealer's card is 2-6, 8, or 9. Stand on 7, 10, or A.
If you have a pair of 8s, always Split them.
If you have a pair of 7s, Split if dealer has 2-7; but Hit 8, 9 or A; and Stand on 10.
If you have a pair of 6s, Split on dealer's 2-6; otherwise Hit.
If you have a pair of 5s, never Split them. Double on dealer's 2-9, and Hit on 10 or A.
If you have a pair of 4s, never Split them. Double against a dealer's 5 or 6; otherwise HIt.
If you have a pair of 3s, Split when dealer has 4-7; otherwise Hit.
If you have a pair of 2s, Split if dealer has 3-7; otherwise Hit.
If you have a pair of Aces, always Split these.
HOW TO TREAT SOFT HANDS
No matter how many cards you've drawn, if you have an Ace among them, it's considered a Soft Hand. So check these instructions again if you hit on your first 2 cards and draw an Ace.
If you have A, 9; always Stand.
If you have A, 8; Double Down if dealer has 6; otherwise Stand.
If you have A, 7; Stand on dealer's 2, 7 or 8; Double against 3-6; Hit against dealer's 9, 10 or A.
If you have A, 6; Double against 2-6; and Hit 7-A.
If you have A, 5; Double against 4-6; otherwise Hit.
If you have A, 4; Double against 4-6; otherwise Hit.
If you have A, 3; Double against 4-6; otherwise HIt.
If you have A, 2; Double against 4-6; otherwise Hit.
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