Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack enthusiasts, statisticians and researchers has developed a basic blackjack strategy that allows players to significantly increase their chances of winning and decrease the advantage of the house to a minimum. A computer simulation program based upon all possible blackjack hands was used to calculate the odds in blackjack. The results of this simulation allowed researchers to create a basic blackjack strategy which helps players to decide their next move based on the game situation. Blackjack strategy is a set of recommendations that include both basic and advanced player solutions like when to Hit, to Stand, to Double Down or to Split. Nonetheless, the advantage of the casino can't be eliminated completely, but it can be reduced down to 1%.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

* If the dealer's open card is lower or equal to 6 you should stand on 12

* If the dealer's card total is 7 or more you should stand

* You should stand on soft 18 or 18 and hit with soft 17

* Always split a pair of eights and Aces

* If the dealer's card total is 7 or less and you have a pair you should split

* Never take Even money or Insurance

* if your card total is higher than the dealer's open card you should double down on 10/11



The most common rules for hard and soft hands are:

Soft Hands

13-14    Double against dealer's 5-6 or hit in any other case

15-16    Double against dealer's 4-6 or hit in any other case

17    Double against dealer's 3-6 or hit in any other case

18    Double against dealer's 3-6; stand against dealer's 2, 7, 8 and hit against dealer's 9, 10, Ace


Hard Hands

8    Hit on any hand lower or equal to 8

9    Double against dealer's 3-6 or hit in any other case

10    Double against dealer's 2-9 or hit in any other case

11    Double against dealer's open card is 2-10 or hit in any other case

12    Stand if dealer's open card is 4-6 or hit in any other case

13-16    Stand if dealer's open card is 2-6 or hit in any other case

17-21    Always stand


Pairs splitting

2-3,7    Split against dealer's 2-7 or hit in any other case

4    Only split against dealer's 6 or 5

5,10    Never split 10's or 5's

6    Split against dealer's 2-6 or hit in any other case

A & 8    Always split

9     Split against dealer's 2-6, 8-9 and stand if the dealer's open card is Ace, 10 or 7

Despite the fact that basic blackjack strategy can not guarantee you 100% winning you can significantly increase your chances of winning by following it.