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Basic strategy for Blackjack
Mathematicians and blackjack experts have used computer simulations and
statistical analyses to try to find a way to beat the house at blackjack.
Through their studies, they have determined a basic strategy that gives the
player the best odds against the house.
This basic strategy helps the player make decisions about when to hit and when
to stand. By playing this basic strategy, the player can play on nearly even
terms with the house. This basic strategy is the starting point for
more-advanced card-counting strategies professional blackjack players use to
gain an advantage on the house.
Below is the basic blackjack strategy for the typical rules found at online
casinos. While you can't beat the house in the long term using this strategy
alone, it does reduce the house's advantage considerably.
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double down, P=Split
Your Hand Dealer's Up Card
| |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A |
|
5,6,7,8 |
H
H H H H H H H H H |
| 9
|
H
D D D D H H H H H |
| 10 |
D D D D D D D D H
H |
| 11
|
D D D D D D D D D
H |
| 12
|
H
H S S S H H H H H |
|
13,14 |
S
S S S S H H H H H |
|
15,16 |
S
S S S S H H H H H |
|
17,18,19,20 |
S
S S S S S S S S S |
| |
|
| |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A |
| A2,A3
|
H
H H D D H H
H H H |
| A4,A5
|
H H D D D H H H H H |
| A6 |
H D D D D H H H H H |
| A7 |
S D D D D S S H H H |
| A8,A9 |
S S S S S S S S S S |
| |
|
| |
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A |
| A-A
|
P P P P P P P P P P |
| 2-2,3-3 |
P P P P P P H H H H |
| 4-4 |
H H H P P H H H H H |
| 5-5 |
D D D D D D D D H H |
| 6-6 |
P P P P P H H H H H |
| 7-7 |
P P P P P P H H H H |
| 8-8 |
P P P P P P P P P P |
| 9-9
|
P P P P P P P P S S |
| 10-10 |
S S S S S S S S S S |
| |
|
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double down, P=Split
If you are like me, I don't like to memorize charts. I
like memorizing rules. Here it is. When you are playing, just assume that dealer
has a Ten underneath. Therefore, if dealer is showing 6, he has 16.
Total of 12 through 16 are STIFF hands
Total of 17 and 21 are NON-STIFF hands
Close to 90% of basic strategy comes down to just
hitting or standing. So just this rule alone will make or save you lots of
money.
ALWAYS hit a STIFF against a NON-STIFF
NEVER hit a STIFF against a STIFF. EXCEPT 12 vs.
dealer's 12 and 13.
That's it.. If you want to get better use a few more
rules, just remember to double down on
9 vs 3 to 6
10 vs 2 to 9
11 vs 2 to 10
ALWAYS split A's and 8's, NEVER on 5's and 10's
Card counting systems
A number of blackjack players have enjoyed success at beating the house by using
card-counting systems. Card-counting systems are based on the principle that the
make-up of a deck of cards changes as cards are played. Analysis has shown that
a deck is in the player's favor when it has more ten-count cards in it. The
reason the deck favors the player is because the player has a better chance of
getting blackjack which pays 3 to 2, more money than an average win.
By assigning a simple value such as +1 for high cards and -1 for low cards, a
card counter can roughly determine the ratio of high cards to low cards
remaining in the deck at anytime during play. When the deck contains more high
cards and the odds are in his favor, he increases the amount he bets so he can
win more. When the deck isn't favorable, he bets the minimum so he loses less.
The count also affects his decisions on when to hit, stand, double and split.
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