Blackjack Strategy
The blackjack basic strategy is a simple set of rules that tells you, the player, the correct way to play your hands. Basic strategy reveals when to hit, stand, or double by taking into account only two factors: your cards and the dealer's upcard. Basic strategy allows you to win more and lose less.
The following terms are useful when learning basic blackjack strategy:
HARD HANDS: all hands not containing an Ace.
SOFT HANDS: all hands containing an Ace coupled with a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
PAIRS: all hands that contain a pair of cards with the same value. A simplified approach to basic blackjack strategy is as follows:
HARD HANDS:
If you have a 9 or lower, hit.
If you have 10 or 11, double down if your total is more than the dealer's upcard; hit otherwise.
If you have 12 through 16, hit when the dealer's upcard is 7 or higher; stand otherwise.
If you have 17 or higher, stand.
SOFT HANDS:
If you have 13 through 18, double down when the dealer's upcard is 5 or 6.
If you have 17 or lower, hit.
If you have 18, hit when dealer's upcard is 6 or less; stand when dealer's upcard is 7 or more.
If you have 19 or higher, stand.
PAIRS:
Always split a pair of 8's or Aces.
Never split 10's, 4's, or 5's.
Split all other pairs when dealer's upcard is 6 or less.
