Blackjack Strategy

Luck isn’t everything in Blackjack. It’s a game of strategy and smart decisions. Knowing how does blackjack work, when to hit, stand, double down, or split involves choices that have to be considered. Below, key strategies that will help you make better decisions to get the most out of every hand will be discussed. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, mastering these tactics can make Blackjack a game of skill.

The Basic Rules of Blackjack

Blackjack is a popular card game in which the objective is to hold cards with a higher value, but not exceeding 21, than those held by the dealer. The dealer is dealt one card face up and one face down, while each player is dealt two cards, usually face up. Numerical cards have values according to their face value, while for face cards, the value is 10, for both Jack, Queen, and King, while for Ace, it can either be 1 or 11 depending on which would be better for the hand.

Players can “hit” to add an extra card in order to improve their hand or “stand” if they feel good about their total. If a player’s hand exceeds 21, then he “busts” and loses the round. The dealer must play according to set rules, usually hitting until reaching a total of 17 or higher. In some games, the dealer must hit on a “soft 17” (a hand totalling 17, including an Ace counted as 11).

Other blackjack how to play options includes “doubling down,” whereby the player doubles their initial bet in return for committing to stand after receiving one more card, and “splitting” pairs, where players are allowed to divide two cards of the same value into two individual hands, each with its own bet. Some games even offer a “surrender” option, which allows players to forfeit half their bet and end the round early.

Blackjack Basic Strategy

There are a number of things to keep in mind if you want to master blackjack and totally reduce the house advantage. You’ll be far ahead of the inexperienced player, though, if you can simply commit the fundamentals of blackjack strategy to practice.

Pair splitting

Pair splitting in blackjack allows players to turn a single hand into two separate hands when dealt two cards of the same rank, such as two 8s or two Aces. This move requires placing an additional bet equal to the original wager, effectively doubling the stake. Each new hand is then played independently, with the goal of improving the chances against the dealer.

Strategically, it’s advisable to always split Aces and 8s. Splitting Aces provides two opportunities to hit a strong hand, starting with 11, while splitting 8s breaks up a total of 16 — a notoriously weak hand — into two hands that have a better potential for success.

Conversely, certain pairs should not be split. For instance, a pair of 5s total 10, which is a strong starting point for a potential 20; splitting them could lead to weaker hands. Similarly, splitting 10s (totalling 20) is generally unwise, as 20 is a powerful hand in blackjack.

It’s important to note that house rules can vary, particularly regarding splitting Aces. Some casinos allow only one additional card per split Ace and may prohibit further splitting or doubling down after a split. 

Soft totals

In blackjack, a “soft total” refers to a hand that includes an Ace valued as 11, providing flexibility since the Ace can also count as 1 to prevent busting. For example, an Ace and a 6 constitute a soft 17, which can be played as either 7 or 17.

With a soft 17 (Ace and 6), it’s generally advisable to hit or double down, depending on the dealer’s upcard, because the risk of busting is minimal. In contrast, a hard 17 (e.g., 10 and 7) lacks this flexibility, making hitting a riskier choice.

The basic Blackjack strategy suggests specific actions for soft hands. For instance, with a soft 18 (Ace and 7), standing is recommended against a dealer’s 2, 7, or 8, but doubling down is preferable against a 3 through 6 and hitting against a 9, 10, or Ace. These decisions are based on statistical probabilities aimed at maximizing player advantage.

Hard totals

In blackjack, a “hard total” refers to a hand without an Ace or with an Ace valued as 1. For example, a hand comprising a 10 and a 7 is a hard 17. Unlike soft totals, hard totals lack flexibility, making strategic decisions crucial.

The basic strategy Blackjack for hard totals involves specific actions based on the dealer’s upcard:

• Hard 17 and above: Always stand, as the risk of busting is high.
• Hard 13–16: Stand if the dealer shows a 2 through 6; hit against 7 through Ace.
• Hard 12: Stand against a dealer’s 4 through 6; hit otherwise.
• Hard 10 or 11: Double down if your total is higher than the dealer’s upcard; otherwise, hit.
• Hard 9: Double down against a dealer’s 3 through 6; hit otherwise.

Late surrender

It allows players to forfeit their hand after the dealer checks for blackjack, reclaiming half their bet. If the dealer has a blackjack, surrender isn’t an option, and the player loses the full bet. However, it’s not universally available; players should verify its availability and specific house rules before playing. 

Blackjack strategy charts

Blackjack strategy charts are very important because they show players the best way to play based on their hand and the dealer’s upcard. For example, they show players how to hit, stop, double down, or split. These charts are special to certain game variations, like the number of decks being used. 

Single deck

In single-deck blackjack, each card dealt has a substantial impact on the remaining deck composition, making strategic decisions particularly crucial. For instance, with a hard 16 against a dealer’s 10, the recommended action is to hit, aiming to improve the hand without exceeding 21. Conversely, with a pair of 8s against a dealer’s 6, splitting the pair is advised to capitalize on the dealer’s weaker position.

4 to 8 decks

In games utilizing 4 to 8 decks, the increased number of cards slightly alters the probabilities, necessitating adjustments in strategy. For example, with a hard 12 against a dealer’s 4, standing is generally recommended, anticipating that the dealer may bust. 

However, with a soft 18 (Ace and 7) against a dealer’s 9, hitting is advisable to improve the hand’s value. These recommendations are based on statistical analyses aimed at minimizing losses and maximizing potential gains. As with single-deck games, variations in house rules, such as the dealer’s actions on soft 17, can affect optimal strategy.

Blackjack strategies

The Martingale, d’Alembert, and Fibonacci are some popular ways to play blackjack. By using these techniques, you can develop a strategy prior to drawing your deck in blackjack.

The Martingale

The goal of the Martingale system is to recover past losses with a single gain by doubling your wager after every loss. For example, if you start with a $10 bet and lose, your next bet would be $20; if you lose again, you’d bet $40, and so on. This approach requires a substantial bankroll to withstand potential losing streaks and is risky because you may reach blackjack strategy table limits or deplete funds before a win occurs.

d’Alembert

The d’Alembert system is a more conservative negative progression strategy. After a loss, you increase your bet by one unit; after a win, you decrease it by one unit. This method aims to balance wins and losses over time. However, extended losing streaks can still lead to accumulating losses.

Fibonacci

Based on the Fibonacci sequence, this system involves betting amounts that follow the series (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.), with each number being the sum of the two preceding ones. After a loss, you move to the next number in the sequence; after a win, you move back two numbers. This strategy can still lead to significant losses during prolonged losing streaks.

Popular Blackjack tips

Before playing blackjack, consider these tips to enhance your experience:

• Learn basic strategy: Familiarize yourself with optimal plays to reduce the house edge.
• Manage your bankroll: Set betting limits to maintain control over your finances.
• Be cautious with Side Bets: Recognize that side bets often carry a higher house edge.
• Limit insurance bets: Avoid frequent insurance bets, as they can be disadvantageous.
• Take regular breaks: Pause periodically to maintain focus and make better decisions.

Blackjack strategy FAQs