Blackjack Strategy

Here, you will find the basic guidelines that you will want to implement when playing blackjack at online casinos and even on land. assuming you already know the object of the game, the information below will help you make the right statistical decisions needed for successful game-play when playing this popular casino game.

Proper usage of the abbreviated basic guidelines on this page will increase your chances at the best house edge possible. The strategy below is simple and if you stick to it, it will prolong your game time and increase your chances to win some money.

If you use the basic strategy below, you will keep the house edge around 1%. This is not bad considering these rules for strategy are simple and few. Eventually you will want to learn the complete strategy of this casino game, but this is get you moving in the right direction.

Hard Hands (any hand that does not contain an ace valued as 11):

If you are holding a total of 9 or lower - hit.

If you are holding a total of 10 or 11 - double down if your total is more than the dealer's upcard - otherwise hit.

If you are holding a total of 12 through 16, hit if the dealer's upcard is 7 or higher - otherwise stand

If you are holding a total of 17 or higher, stand.

Soft Hands (any hand that has an ace that can be valued at 11):

* Remember the ace can be used as a 1 or 11 below. The below totals are using the ace as an 11 before a hit.

If your hand totals 13 trough 18, double down if the dealer's upcard is a 5 or 6.

If your hand totals 17 or lower, hit.

If your hand totals 18, hit when the dealer's upcard is 6 or less, otherwise stand when the dealer's upcard is a 7 or higher.

If your hand totals 19 or higher, stand.

Pairs:

Always split aces and 8s.

Never split 10's, 4s, or 5s.

Split all other pairs when the dealer's upcard is 6 or less.

In General:

Never take the insurance bet.