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Blackjack Basic Strategy

Lots of casino games claim to be based on a strategy but Blackjack is one of the few where the strategy actually works. Basic Strategy is based purely on mathematics and not luck. When practiced the correct way, it reduces the house edge to about 0.5% which is the minimum possible house edge. Depending on the type of Blackjack game being played, some slight variations may need to be made to basic strategy. One example of a variation is Doubling Down. Some casinos allow you to use this feature after Splitting, but some casinos don't allow it. Also, if you're playing Single Deck Blackjack, the basic strategies employed will be slightly different than when playing Multiple Deck Blackjack.

Learning Blackjack strategy is easier accomplished with the aid of a Blackjack Strategy Chart. The casino's edge increases or decreases depending on what action you take when the first set of cards are dealt. Basic strategy shows you how to play your first 2 cards depending on the Dealer's face up card. If you make the correct move (according to Basic Strategy), he will more often than not decrease the house edge and increase his chances of winning. Make the wrong move, however, and the casino will have a field day taking your cash.

Let's say your first 2 cards dealt are 6 and 3. The Basic strategy chart tells you to Hit, despite what the Dealer's face up card is showing. If your first 2 cards total 10, the chart tells you to Double Down, UNLESS the Dealer's face up card is showing a 10 or an Ace; in which case the correct move would be to Hit. Our strategies listed below are based on Multi Hand Blackjack games, which we recommend in preference to Single Deck Blackjack, which carries a higher house edge, despite how attractive it may seem.

Playing Pairs

We've translated into Laymans Terms what you should do if your first two cards are pairs. If you are dealt:

a pair of Aces or 8s, Always Split.
a pair of 2s or 3s, Split if the Dealer has 2 -7. If the Dealer has anything else, Hit.
a pair of 4s, Split if the Dealer has 5 or 6. If the Dealer has anything else, Hit.
a pair of 5s, Double if the Dealer has 2 - 9. Anything else, Hit.
a pair of 6s, Split if the Dealer has 2 - 6. Anything else, Hit.
a pair of 7s, Split if the Dealer has 2 - 7. Anything else, Hit.
a pair of 9s, Split if the Dealer has 2 - 6 or 8 or 9. If the Dealer has 7, 10, or Ace, Stand.
a pair of 10s, always Stand.

Playing Soft Hands

You will now learn the strategy for playing Soft Hands. If you are dealt:

an Ace 2 or Ace 3, Double if the Dealer has 5 or 6. If the Dealer has anything else, Hit.
an Ace 4 or Ace 5, Double if the Dealer has 4 - 6. If the Dealer has anything else, Hit.
an Ace 5, Double if the Dealer has 3 - 6. Anything else, Hit.
an Ace 7, Stand if the Dealer has 2, 7, or 8; Double if the Dealer has 3 - 6. Anything else, Hit.
an Ace 8 or Ace 9, Stand.

Playing Hard Hands

Playing Hard Hands also has a strategy of its own. If you are dealt:

8 or less, Always Hit.
9, Double if the Dealer has 3 - 6. If the Dealer has anything else, Hit.
10, Double if the Dealer has 2 - 9. If the Dealer has anything else, Hit.
11, Double if the Dealer has 2 - 10 or Hit if the Dealer has Ace.
12, Hit if the Dealer has 2 or 3; Stand if the Dealer has 4 - 6. Anything else, Hit.
13 - 16, Stand if the Dealer has 2 - 6. Anything else, Hit.
17 - 21, Always Stand.

Learn some winning Blackjack tips to give you the upper hand when playing against the casino.

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