Basic Blackjack Strategy
Basic Blackjack Strategy
According to modern statistical analysis, all the blackjack players may now experiment on what is called the blackjack basic strategy. The strategy is based on generation of million of possible blackjack hands and suggests the lowest risk solutions for all of them.
The principles that lie in the basis of the Basic Blackjack Strategy are based on the statistical analysis of all the situations and the player’s options to double down or to split, and is paid 3:2 for blackjack. According to the basic strategy the dealer adheres to the basic rules and hits on 16 or less and stands on 17 or above and only gets paid 1:1.
The dealer’s chances to bust are over 35% in case his face-up card is a 3, 4, 5 or 6. This means that the player with a total of 13 or 16 against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5 or 6 should better stand as the dealer is likely to bust as he has to hit until 17. However, in case the player has the same hand against the dealer 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace the player is advised to hit as it is likely that the hole card is a 10 and his hand will beat yours.
Rule Variables that influence the Basic Blackjack Strategy
Most of the casinos in order to increase the house advantage introduce lots of different rule variables that thus influence the basic strategy. The variables are as follows:
- Quantity of decks used in the game
- Whether the dealer stands or hits on soft 17
- Is the re-splitting hands allowed?
- On what total is the Doubling down is allowed?
- Can you double down after split?
- Can you surrender ? Is it early or late surrender?
Success in Blackjack partly depends upon player skills and luck. Basic Blackjack strategy when used correctly may reduce the house edge and may eventually give the player advantage over the casino. Those players that have mastered the basic strategy may start learning the card counting techniques in order to become the game guru.
Rules of the Basic Strategy
Basic Strategy rules are applicable for all the types of the game and are considered to be a universal weapon against the casino odds. They are the following :
Common Basic Blackjack Strategy:
- Always stand on 17 or higher
- Always hit on 12-16 against the dealer’s 7 or higher
- Always hit on 8 or less
Doubling Down Rules
- Double down on 11 - except against the dealer’s Ace
- Double down on 10 against dealer’s 9 or less
- Double down on 9 against the dealer’s 6 or less
Soft Hands Strategy
- Always stand on soft 19 and soft 20
- Always double down on soft 13-18 against the dealer’s 4,5, or 6
Splitting Strategies
- Never split 10-face cards and never split 5's
- Always split 8's and Aces.
- Always split 3's and 2's against the dealer’s 4,5,6, or 7