Blackjack Basic Strategy

[KillJoy]

What is blackjack basic strategy?

Since blackjack has an element of player choice, players are able to reduce casino advantage by playing optimally. This set of optimal plays is known as basic strategy. There are slight variations depending on the number of decks and the house rules.

Basic strategy has been tested and perfected through computer simulations. When followed correctly it reduces the house edge to the minimum. House edge is usually about 0.5%. Some minor adjustments are made to basic strategy depending on certain rule variations that the different casinos can chose to use. For example, some casinos allow to double down after splitting and some do not allow it. There are also some changes made to basic strategy for single and multiple deck games.
To become a successful blackjack player you will need to learn basic strategy. You can learn it by referring to a basic strategy chart. The strategy chart shows you how to play your first two cards based on the dealers up card. We know that the house gains its edge by the fact that the player must act first. Since basic strategy only deals with first 2 cards, you will also have to learn to make decisions after the hit.


Textual version of blackjack basic strategy chart

How to read this
Example: your first two cards are 2 and 4, a total of 6. Referring to the chart you should hit. Next card is a 4, so now you have a total of 10. Since this is you third card you cannot double (you can only double on the first 2 cards) so you take another one (hit).


Playing Hard Hands -A hard hand is when your two starting cards that do not contain an ace.
8 or less: always hit.
9: Double if the dealer has 3-6 - otherwise hit.
10: Double if the dealer has 2-9 - otherwise hit.
11: Double if the dealer has 2-10, Hit if dealer has Ace, otherwise hit.
12: Hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, Stand if the dealer has 4 thru 6, otherwise hit.
13-16: Stand if the dealer has 2-6, otherwise hit.
17-21: Always Stand.

Playing Soft Hands- A soft hand is when one of your starting hands contains an ace.
A2 or A3: Double if the dealer has 5 or 6 - otherwise hit.
A4 or A5: Double if the dealer has 4-6 - otherwise hit.
A6: Double if the dealer has 3-6 - otherwise hit.
A7: Stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8. Double 3-6, - otherwise hit.
A8 or A9: Always Stand.

Playing Pairs - Self explanatory
AA or 88: Always split.
22 or 33: Split if the dealer has 2-7, otherwise hit.
44: Split if the dealer has 5 or 6 - otherwise hit.
55: Double if the dealer has 2-9 - otherwise hit.
66: Split if the dealer has 2-6 - otherwise hit.
77: Split 2-7, - otherwise hit.
99: Split 2-6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or Ace.
1010: Always Stand



RECOMMENDED READ:
Methods For Beating Blackjack




Picture: Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart Sample


Here you can download 4 basic strategy charts in PDF file (registered users only):

[Soliloquy]

I'm going to practice basic strategy on the Blackjack game in the arcade for a while before I try playing it in a casino again. Thanks for the article!

[AZDuffman]

(03-22-2009 04:03 PM)Soliloquy Wrote:  I'm going to practice basic strategy on the Blackjack game in the arcade for a while before I try playing it in a casino again. Thanks for the article!

Go to http://www.hitorstand.net for the best practice around. The BEST, JERRY!

[KillJoy]

(03-26-2009 03:52 AM)AZDuffman Wrote:  Go to www.hit-or-stand.net for the best practice around. The BEST, JERRY!

That link isn't working so I presume It's http://www.hitorstand.net
(I corrected it)

It seems like a good site, thanks for the link!