Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide
Blackjack is ultimately a game based on chance. If you score 21, you are a winner. Is there a way to become a better blackjack player? Absolutely!
We’re going today to tell you all about this. We’ll be covering the basics as well as the finer points. Blackjack is about winning the dealer and knowing when the right approach is to take. While the rules for blackjack vary from casino to casino, the ultimate goal of the game is to score 21. You can learn a basic strategy for blackjack to improve your skills.
We’ll show you which types of bets are possible and which strategies to avoid. We’re certain that by the end you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to beat the dealer the next time you play.
Basic Hit and Stand
To beat the dealer, you must first learn how to play Blackjack. Blackjack offers four basic bets. You can choose to play a single or double deck strategy.
- Hit
- Stand
- Double down
- Split
We will be covering the basic hit-and-stand bets and going into greater detail with double down or split later. You might also like to see more Blackjack tips, which provide additional detail.
Hit or Stand will be the most crucial decision you make. If you make a mistake, the game could end. The instruction to tell the dealer you want another card is ‘Hit’. Stand is the opposite bet. It lets the dealer know that you will stick with the cards you already have and ends your turn.
How you hold the hand and how the dealer holds it will affect which approach you choose. You should avoid the worst case scenario if the dealer has an Ace. Instead, try to get a hand with at least 17 players to increase your chances of winning. This applies even if the dealer has 10 cards.
If your hand has a value between 9 and 16, 10 and 16, but stands on 17, it’s the best time to hit. It is more difficult for the dealer to get 21 if they have an 8 or 9. You must remember that a hand that is less than 11 cannot be called bust. In the best scenario, you will get a Blackjack. You will learn the basics of Blackjack and become a better player.
Basic Pair Splitting Strategy
When you have dealt your hand, it is possible to have two cards with the same value. If this happens, you have the option of splitting the cards or forming two new hands. After you have played both hands, you can place two bets (equal in value to your original wager) and play them simultaneously.
This could be your secret weapon This could give you another chance to beat your dealer. Although it will likely cost twice as much, it can be worth it. Splitting can give advantage to you, but it’s important that you use the right cards.
Consider splitting with:
- Two Aces – You have a better chance of hitting Blackjack with one ace, as there are many 10-value cards within the deck. Splitting your aces gives you better odds than playing two aces simultaneously.
- Two eights: It is better to split two 8s and aim for two 18-value hands.
It is best to avoid splitting with
- Nines and Tens . If you’re dealt two nines or two 10s, then you already have a strong hand (either 18 or 20 respectively), and there is little room to improve.
- Two Fives – If you get two fives, your cards will be valued at 10 and, if you have the option to double down, you can consider this. Splitting these could result in a 15-hand, which is not a very good situation.
- Two fours: With a starting hand 8 you could hit and receive a 10-value, giving you a strong 18. If you split and get a 10-value, it’s difficult to win with 14 so don’t do this.
Splitting any pair means you’ll be dealt additional cards. Play will then continue as normal, where you can either Hit or Stand.
Surrendering for Beginners
The key to mastering basic Blackjack strategy is knowing when and how to surrender. In some versions of Blackjack, the surrender feature will be available. Although the rules will vary slightly from table-to-table, basically, this means you have the chance to surrender your hand. However, you’ll lose half of the original bet, while the dealer checks to see if Blackjack is in play.
Depending on your version of Blackjack, there may be an Early Surrender option and a Late Surrender choice. But the principle remains the same. You should consider surrendering if you believe your hand has less then a 50% chance at winning. This is still better than choosing the surrender option, even though your hand only has a one in four chance of winning. However, it is better to lose half your bet if you are certain of losing .
Example: If you have a hand of 15 and the dealer has a card up facing, it is time to surrender. You should surrender if your hand is 15 and the dealer’s up-facing card is a 10. Alternately, if you have a hand of 16 and the dealer’s face card is a 9, 10, or ace. This could give you another chance to surrender. You may be able to win more if you have 2 cards of the same value as 8 each. Only surrender on the most terrible hands.
Double Down Basics
Blackjack double down is one of the most well-known bets. But what does double down in Blackjack mean? This is the chance to increase by up to 100% the value of your initial bet. In return, you will need to stand after you take another card.
In essence, a Blackjack double-down bet is a confidence bet in your own. You can only use this bet once you have been dealt two cards in Blackjack. Blackjack double down rules dictate that you can’t place this wager if you are dealt Hit or Stand.
Double Down in Blackjack
It is essential to know when Blackjack Double Downs are allowed. Here are three scenarios that can be used as a guideline. The following hands are guaranteed to make you a better player than the dealer.
- The dealer’s hand is a six and you are dealt a nine.
- The dealer gets a lower number and you are dealt a tough 10 or 11. The dealer has a lower hand, so your chances of winning are greater than yours. It is a good idea to double down. Because the next card you get cannot make your bust, the dealer can go over 21, but they have to hit until they reach 17 or 17.
- The dealer holds a pair of soft 16, 17, or 18 cards. You are dealt one to six cards face-up. If you have an Ace with a 5, 6 or (soft hand), one more card could help improve your hand. It is a good time to double down, as your Ace has the option of being a 1 and 11.
Sometimes it can be daunting to look at all those numbers. We’ve added visual charts further down the blog which might help.
When do you need insurance
Insurance in Blackjack is a side wager that you can make if the dealer has an ace up-facing card. If the dealer has any other card value, the bet won’t be available.
Insurance bets have odds of 2/1. Your maximum allowed bet is half of your main wager. Even if your main bet loses, insurance gives you the opportunity to break even if a dealer has Blackjack.
Although this might sound appealing since you could win your money back while not losing any, it is important to be careful and time you insurance bet. If the dealer’s hole card (up-card) is an ace, then there is a possibility that their other card (hole cards) is a 10. Insurance is betting that the dealer has Blackjack. The insurance bet will be canceled if the dealer’s card hole is not a 10.
You may have read about these bets and are now wondering how to memorize the basic Blackjack strategy. This blog can help you at any time. If you begin to play Blackjack regularly, this strategy becomes second nature.
Can Beginners Use Cards Counting
Card counting is something you need to be aware of. Most casinos, if not all, ban it. If you use this strategy, it is likely you will be breaking the terms of the casino. Although card counting isn’t illegal, it may result in your winnings being forfeited and a ban from the casino. Even if you used a device to assist you with card counting in a land-based casinos, you could face legal action.
Because card counting can predict your next hand, you have a greater advantage than the online casino. Card counting is a skill that can alter a player’s play style. They will wager high when the count “high” and low when it “low”. Online operators are able to often identify this strategy and help players count cards.
While this strategy might help you win more games, it is best for beginners to keep to the rules of the table and to avoid card counting.
Blackjack Basic Strategy: What are the Odds of You Winning?
All that said, winning Blackjack is possible with a simple strategy. Does it guarantee you win? It is not. However, a basic strategy will give you the best chance to beat the dealer in a Blackjack game. Remember that the Blackjack basic strategy table is also available.
It is important that you remember that the ultimate goal for using these strategies is not to win every single one of your bets. It is to improve your chances of winning and minimize your losses . You are simply taking a step forward by playing the Blackjack basic strategy cards. Your strategy will get more refined the more you play. But, starting with the basics is the best way to go. It will be possible to combine what we have taught with everything you know on your own to become an expert!