Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack Strategy is based on mathematical computations and analyses through computers that can enable you to reduce the house edge to as less as half percent. A strategy card can help act as a reference tool for you to make it easy for you to know which rules you need to apply and to which hand.

Blackjack is a game in which the house always has a huge advantage. The advantage factor in fact, can be as high as 7 to 8 percent. Statisticians however, have been able to calculate mathematical strategies that aim to diminish the house advantage to as less as 1 percent or even lower.

The development of basic Blackjack Strategy has progressed when computers made it possible for players to experiment with literally millions of blackjack moves in order to come up with statistical charts that would give the player the upper edge. A combination of research and simulation by the computer has perfected these mathematical calculations. This statistical analysis is known as basic blackjack strategy, and if you are a player who hopes to have even the remotest chance of surviving in the game, you'll need to be a pro at understanding these basic blackjack strategies.

When you apply basic blackjack strategy, you have to consider the variables that affect the casino's advantage, and choose your blackjack strategy accordingly. For instance, factors like if you are playing soft or hard hands, whether the dealer stands on a soft 17, the number of times you are allowed to split hands and if early or late surrender is allowed (if it is allowed at all) - all affect your strategy.


There are a few basic blackjack strategy rules that you can almost always apply:

• You should always hit on an 8 or lesser hand.
• When the dealer shows a 7 or a higher hand, always hit on a value from 12 to 16.
• You should always stand on a 17 or better hand.

Double Down

When it comes to double downing, you should always double down on 11, except when the dealer has an ace.
If the dealers has a hand that's equal to or lesser than 9, you should double down at 10.
When the dealer has a hand that's equal to or lesser than 6, you should double down on 9.


Splitting

More advanced splitting strategies include always splitting aces and eights, and never splitting 5's and 10-face cards. A pair of aces gives you a hard 12. If you split the cards however, you have two independent hands to play with, and each of them has one ace which makes it a more favorable proposition for you.
When the dealers shows a hand value of 4,5,6,7, always split on 3's and 2's.

Pairs Strategy Rules

For a pair of aces or eights, split.
For pairs of 2s or 3s, and if the dealer has 2 through 7, split. Otherwise hit.
For a pair of fours, and if the dealer has 5 through 6, split. Otherwise hit.
For fives, and if the dealer has 2 through 9, double down. Otherwise hit.
For sixes, and if the dealer has 2 through 6, split. Otherwise hit.
For sevens, split if the dealer has 2 through 7. Otherwise hit.
For nines, split if the dealer has 2 through 6, 8, or 9. Stand for anything else.
For tens, stand.


Soft and Hard Hands Strategy

In order to understand strategy for soft and hard hands, you must first understand what these are. In blackjack, an ace is a card that can count as 1 or 11. Hard hands have no aces, or an ace that counts as 1. A soft hand is a hand with an ace which counts as 11. A soft hand will allow you to add another card to your hand without the risk of busting.

Hard Hands

Hard 8 or less - always hit.
Hard 9 - double down if the dealer has 3, 4, 5, or 6; otherwise hit.
Hard 10 - double down if the dealer has an upcard of 2-9; otherwise hit.
Hard 11 - double down if the dealer has 2-10 upcard; otherwise hit.
Hard 12 - stand if the dealer has 4-6; otherwise hit.
Hard 13 - 16 - stand if the dealer has 2 through 6; otherwise hit.
Hard 17 - 21 - always stand.


Soft Hands

Soft 13 - 14 (ace + 2 or 3 ) - double down if the dealer upcard is 5 or 6; otherwise hit.
Soft 15 or 16 (ace + 4 or 5) - double down if the dealer upcard is 4-6; otherwise hit.
Soft 17 (ace + 6) - double down if the dealer upcard is 3-6; otherwise hit.
Soft 18 (ace + 7) - double down if the dealer upcard is 3-6; stand if the dealer upcard is 2, 7, or 8; hit if the dealer upcard is 9, 10, or ace.

Using basic Blackjack Strategy will definitely increase your chances of winning at blackjack game.

But there is plenty of more material to learn in order to master the blackjack game:
Blackjack Probabilities
Blackjack Card Counting
Blackjack Terms
Blackjack Tips
Blackjack Bankroll Management