Blackjack is a popular card game that is played in casinos all over the world. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by having a hand value that is greater than the dealer’s hand value without going over 21.
One of the key strategies in blackjack is to know when to hit and when to stand. A hit means that you want to receive another card in an attempt to improve your hand value. A stand means that you are happy with your hand value and do not want to receive any more cards.
There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to hit or stand. One important factor is the value of your hand. If you have a hand value of 16 or less, it is generally a good idea to hit because the chances of busting (going over 21) are relatively low. On the other hand, if you have a hand value of 17 or more, it is generally a good idea to stand because the chances of busting are higher.
Another important factor to consider is the value of the dealer’s upcard. If the dealer’s upcard is a 2 through 6, the dealer has a higher chance of busting and you may want to stand with a hand value of 12 or higher. If the dealer’s upcard is a 7 or higher, the dealer has a lower chance of busting and you may want to hit with a hand value of 12 or lower.
In addition to deciding whether to hit or stand, it is also important to know when to split and when to double down. Splitting is when you have two cards of the same value and you choose to play them as separate hands. Double down is when you double your bet and receive only one more card.
When to split and double down depends on your hand value and the value of the dealer’s upcard. As a general rule, it is a good idea to split aces and 8s, and to double down with a hand value of 11 or 10 if the dealer’s upcard is 5 or 6.
It is also important to know the rules of the particular blackjack game you are playing.
Some games have different rules for when the dealer hits or stands, and some games offer bonus payouts for certain hands.
While blackjack strategy can seem complex at first, with practice and a little bit of math, you can improve your chances of winning. It is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules and strategies of any game before you start playing, and to play within your limits.
There are many variations of the rules in Blackjack, the one described in this strategy chart is the most common one available both online and offline in Europe. Simply look in the left hand column to see your hand, then in the top column to see the dealer’s hand. Follow the instructions in the table, explanations are at the bottom. This gives the house an estimated .66% advantage (slotmachines give the house minimum 2.5% advantage), with those odds you really only need a tiny bit of luck to beat the house. This is also why very few casinos give any kind of bonus for this game.
Side games
Both online and offline casinos will offer you side games. A popular one is 7-7, if you get a pair of sevens you win some extra money! As a general rule, anything the casino allows you to do, is not in your best interest! Any side games will reduce your margin and increase the house margin/edge.
Other Players
When you are playing in a real casino, it is very easy to be irritated by the people sitting next to you making the “wrong” decisions! You only notice when they hit or do not hit and the dealer should or should not have gotten the card in question. Do not worry about it, you are playing only against the house, the implied odds of the game do not change at all based on the action of any other players.
Enjoy the game, have a beer, do not lose more than you can afford to!
