How to Win at Blackjack

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taniapo

#104 Sun, 08 Jun 08 06:56 PM

1. Learn the Basic Blackjack Strategy - This is the most important step as all advanced strategies are based on the assumption you can play the Basic Strategy perfectly.

When playing Blackjack the most important feature to know is the fact that there are four times as many cards that have a value of 10 (10, J,Q,K) as any other value. Knowing this you should always assume that the next card to be drawn from the deck has a value of 10. Keeping this in mind you realize that if you have any hand that has a value over 12 you are likely to bust( go over 21). Likewise the if the dealer's card is a 2-6 he is likely to draw a 10 card which means he will have to draw again, likely causing him to bust.

By using the Basic Blackjack strategy you should be able to take away the Casino's built- in advantage. The following is a chart that describes what actions you should take in a given situation:

Your hand	Your Action
5 or 6 or 7	Always Hit
8 (one 6 and one 2)	Always Hit
8 (one 5 and one 3)	Double if the dealer has a 5 or 6, otherwise hit
9	Double if the dealer has 2-6, otherwise hit
10	Double if the dealer has 2-9, otherwise hit
11	Always double unless the dealer has an Ace
12	Always hit unless the dealer has a 4,5,6
13,14,15,16	Stand if the dealer has 2,3,4,5,6. Hit if dealer has 7,8,9,10card, A
17,18,19,20	Always Stand

"Soft" Hands (Ace plus one other card)	*Remember Ace can have a value of 1 or 11
A2, A3, A4, A5	Double if dealer has 6, otherwise hit
A6	Double if dealer has 2,3,4,5,6; otherwise hit
A7	Double if dealer has 3,4,5,6; Stand if dealer has A,2,7,8; Hit if dealer has 9,10
A8	Double if dealer has 6, otherwise stand
A9	Always Stand

Pairs	When to Split
A,A	Always Split
2,2	Split if the dealer has 3,4,5,6,7; otherwise hit
3,3	Split if dealer has 4,5,6,7; otherwise hit
4,4	Double if dealer has 5,6; otherwise hit
5,5	Double if the dealer has 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9; otherwise hit
6,6	Split if dealer has 2,3,4,5,6; otherwise hit
7,7	Split if dealer has 2,3,4,5,6,7; otherwise hit. Exception: Stand if dealer has 10
8,8	Always Split
9,9	Split unless dealer has A,7,10; then stand
10,10	Never Split

Surrender	This is somewhat controversial as most players will tell you to never surrender unless you are counting cards. Nonetheless there are a few out there who recommend Surrendering under certain circumstances.
You have	Surrender if dealer has
15	10
16 (Do not surrender if you have a pair of 8s)	10, A
A pair of 7s	10

Insurance	Never take insurance unless you are counting cards