In the coming weeks and months, we'll be updating
this section regularly with the best strategies and techniques
for success in the internet casino world. In this first installment
we discuss the first step toward professional Blackjack skills:
the Basic Strategy.
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Blackjack: Basic Strategy
Some of the most favorable odds found in any casino game can
be found in Blackjack. However, these odds diminish greatly as
the gambler strays from what we call "basic strategy."
"Basic strategy" is a chart that an individual player
follows that tells he or she exactly when to hit, stand, split,
or double down.
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The charts that follow outline the basic strategy for a game
that contains two decks, and one that forces the dealer to stay
on a soft 17. If you follow this strategy your chances of a successful
round of Blackjack will increase significantly. When played closely,
the Basic Strategy can reduce the House's edge in Blackjack to
0.5% or less, depending on the rule variations in effect.
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Splitting Pairs
This table shows when you should Split identical
pairs. (A "T" in the Pairs column represents any pair
of ten-valued cards). A "Y" means you should split when
you have the indicated pair, and the Dealers shows the indicated
upcard.
|
PAIRS |
Dealer's Upcard |
|
Your Cards |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
|
(A,A) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
(T,T) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
(9,9) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
|
(8,8) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
(7,7) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
|
(6,6) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
(5,5) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
(4,4) |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
(3,3) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
(2,2) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Key:
- Y = Yes, split the pair
- N = No, don't split the pair
Soft Totals
A "soft" hand is one that includes
an Ace, which can be counted as 1 or as 11. The general rule of
thumb is that you can always improve a soft hand with a
total of 17 or less by hitting. Only hit a soft 18 when the Dealer
shows a 9 or better.
|
SOFT TOTALS |
Dealer's Upcard |
|
Your Cards |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
|
(A,9) |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
(A,8) |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
(A,7) |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
|
(A,6) |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
(A,5) |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
(A,4) |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
(A,3) |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
(A,2) |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Key:
Hard Totals
A "hard" hand does not include an Ace.
This table is the core of the Basic Strategy. A "D"
in this table means you should Double in those situations.
|
HARD TOTALS |
Dealer's Upcard |
|
Your Cards |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
|
17 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
|
16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
15 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
13 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
12 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
11 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
|
10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
|
9 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Key:
- H = Hit
- S = Stand
- D = Double; if unable, Hit
