If you are reading this, then you are a bit familiar with the basics of the Blackjack game. Here is the blackjack strategy guide you can use to increase your chances of winning.
Double down on a hard 11
One of the first blackjack rules for beginners is you win more money if you double down on a hard 11 against the dealer’s upcard vs hitting all games, with only one exception. In a multi-deck game, the rules state that the dealer must stand at a soft 17 therefore you rather hit against a dealer Ace than double down.
Don’t split a pair of 5s or tens
The pair of 5s is a hard 10. A player has better chances if they take a one-or-more card draw to a 10 rather than splitting the fives. For they will play two hands and start each with a 5. Keep them together as a 20 for that is better to win with even if splitting 10s is often than not a winning play.
Split a pair of 8s and Aces
Whatever the dealer’s card is, always split a pair of 8s and Aces. Not many players split with a pair of 8s when the dealer’s upcard is 9, 10, or Ace. They look at the big underdog but why bet more money by splitting? You are less of an underdog by playing two hands each starting with an 8, by splitting than playing one hand of 16 and hitting.
You will lose less money if you split 8s against 9, 10, or Ace than if you hit a hard 16.
In most cases, split 8s and Aces because Aces result in significant gains, and 8s lets you cut your losses or win more money based on the dealer’s upcard. If the house offers the Surrender at a multi-deck game with H17 or a double deck with H17 and NDAs, then your best way to win is to surrender the pair of 8s against the dealer’s Ace instead of splitting.
Hit a hard 12b against a dealer’s 2 or 3 up card
Don’t be afraid of busting and opt to stand at 12. You will lose money against a dealer’s 2 or 3 upcards if you choose to stand or hit. You lose less if you take a hit.
Hit Ace 7, soft 18, when the dealer’s upcard is 9, 10, or Ace.
A hand that totals 18 is not a sure win especially if the dealer is showing a strong upcard of 9, 10, or Ace. If you hold an A-7 vs dealer’s 9, 10, or ace you are the underdog (stand or hit). You are less of it if you hit A-7. Because drawing a small card 2, 3 or Ace ends up with a pat hand higher than 18 hence improving your chances of winning. You pose no risk to the hand if you draw any of the four ten-valued cards. Always hit A-7 if the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace and aims to get to either a soft 19–21 or a hard 17 through 21. The exception is, you are slightly better off standing on A-7 in a single-deck game with S17 and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace.
Double down on 10 vs dealer’s upcard of 9 or less
When you hold a two-card 10 against any dealer’s upcard of 9 or less, doubling down for a winning chance.
If the dealer must hit the soft 17
Double down on hard 11 vs dealer’s ace, a soft 19 (A-8) vs dealer’s 6, and A-7 vs dealer’s 2.
When playing an H17 game, the mentioned three doubling strategy changes should be made vs. the same game with S17.
Double down A-2 through A-7 vs dealer’s 5 or 6
Stand to win more if you always double down an A-2 through A-7 (i.e., soft 13 through 18) and the dealer’s upcard is a 5 or 6 in all games. The variety of dealer’s upcards that you could double down with soft 13 through 18 depends on the number of decks being used and the rules of the game.
Stand with a pair of 9s vs dealer’s upcard of 7
To split a pair of 9s when the dealer’s upcard is 9 or less is popular but the strategy fails if the dealer shows a 7. Then you will have to stand rather than split. They will have a ten in the hole many times since there are four times as many ten-value cards in a deck than other ranks. If it’s a 7, the dealer has an automatic 17. Your pair of 9s, which is an 18, would overcome her potential 17, which makes standing the better play vs. hitting.
Surrender hard 16 vs dealer’s 9,10 or Ace or hard 15 vs dealer’s 10
The two worst hands of Blackjack are hard 15 and 16. Mostly if the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace. As the underdog, you can minimize your losses if you surrender.
Double down on 8 against the dealer’s 5 or 6 upcards
Of the many tips for playing Blackjack, other than in the single deck games, never double down with a two-card 8. In single-deck games, the blackjack odds shift to make the doubling down a superior strategy to hitting.
Dealt a pair of 2s or 3s vs dealer’s 2 or 3, split if the doubling down after pair splitting is allowed, and hit if they don’t.
Split a pair of 2s and draw a 9 giving you an 11, or an 8, giving you a 10, then you will be able to wager more money. If you double down that is, and if it is a single deck game split a pair of 2s vs dealer’s upcard 3.
Avoid the insurance bet
When the dealer’s card is Ace, don’t take the insurance even if you play good hands. Its payoff is less than the odds of the dealer. In most online casinos they will offer even money when the player has a blackjack hand vs dealer’s Ace upcard.
Stand at hard 16 vs dealer’s 10 if your 16 is a multi-card.
This is a traditional strategy where only the total of a player’s hand and dealer’s cards are in the account.
A hard 16 vs dealer’s 10 then you hit. Improve your accuracy by accounting for if your 16 is a multi-card 16. If it’s a 7,5,4 the stand against the dealer’s 10 upcards.
In a blackjack game, don’t play a 6 to 5.
Many online casinos pay a winner at only 6 to 5 odds and the house edge increases to 1.45% in the single deck game with 6 to 5. In a double- or multi-deck, if 6 to 5 is offered then the house edge hikes to 2% plus. So play at games that offer a 3 to 2 payoff.
CONCLUSION
If you are wondering how to play blackjack better, ensure that you memorize the Blackjack strategy chart by practicing the game on online casinos with the free bonuses offered. This way you will learn the correct decisions to make when playing a deck of cards.
You can also read:
BlackJack FAQs
No. Online casinos have different variations and players cannot have cards that leave the deck. After every shuffle, the cards are dealt therefore counting cards does not apply. Strategy charts are unaffected by shuffling hence can be resourceful.
No. Blackjack strategies vary from one online casino game to another. If you look at the chart you’ll notice some differences in the single and multi-deck strategies. Eventually, it all gets down to mathematical probability.
Yes. So long as the rules of play are similar to the ones above then you can employ the strategy card to win.
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