Blackjack Strategy

BlackJack Strategies

What is the basic playing strategy? It is the optimum way to play your hand if you are not counting cards. The strategy is derived by computer simulation where the computer deals out millions of hands, plays them in all possible ways, and then records and analyzes the results. The basic strategy is not based on guesswork or hunches. It is the mathematically correct way to play your hand against every dealer's upcard.

What does the basic strategy get you? The casino's initial edge in the game of blackjack is about 5.75%, which includes the 3 to 2 payoff on player blackjacks. By employing the correct basic strategy plays it is possible to whittle down the casino's edge to about 0.5%.

Initial casino's edge 5.75%
Correct hitting and standing -3.25%
Correct doubling -1.5%
Correct pair splitting -0.5%
Casino's edge with basic strategy 0.5%

Of course it's possible to lower the casino's edge to less than 0.5% by playing in games that have very favorable rules. One of the best blackjack games is offered at the Slots- A- Fun Casino in Las Vegas. Here they deal a single deck game with the dealer standing on soft 17 and double after pair splitting is allowed. A basic strategy player has in fact a slight edge against the casino (ca. 0.1%) in this game.

The basic playing strategy is slightly dependent on the number of decks of cards. Thus the basic strategy for a single deck game is slightly different than a six deck game.

For simplicity the table below summarizes the basic strategy rules that you can use for any number of decks. To use the table, go across the top to find the dealer's upcard and go down the first column and find your hand. Where the row and column intersect you'll find the correct basic strategy play. The strategy assumes that doubling after pair splitting is allowed (see bottom of chart for deviations if doubling after pair splitting is not allowed)

Generic Basic Strategy
H=hit, S=stand D=double down, P=pair split, Su=surrender, X/Y=Do X if allowed, otherwise do Y.

Dealer Upcard

Player hand

Never take insurance.
If double after pair splitting is not permitted use these rules for pair splitting.

If the dealer hits soft 17, then double down on 11 against dealer's ace, double down on soft 19 against dealer's 6, double down on soft 18 agaist a dealer's 2, and surrender hard 15, hard 17, and a pair of 8's against a
dealer's ace.

For European Rules, (dealer does not take a down card until players complete their hands and all player double down and split bets are lost to a dealer blackjack) do not split or double down against a dealer's ace, do not double down against a dealer 10, and do not split a pair of 8's against a dealer's 10.

Using the information in the table, how would you play this hand. You hold 2,2 and the dealer's upcard is a 6. Go across the top and find the dealers 6 upcard. Go down the first column under Players Hand and find 22. At the intersection of the row and column you'll find a P which means you should split. How about an, Ace,7 (soft 18) against dealers 3. The table shows D/S. This means you should double down if they allow doubling on soft hands. If the rules do not allow you do double on a soft hand, the you would stand.

How about this hand: 2,3,Ace (soft 16) against dealers 5. The table shows D/H. Since most casinos will not allow to double down on 3 or more cards you should hit. The basic strategy in the table should be memorized. This is not as difficult a task as your first think because you probably know most of it already. You must be able to play each and every hand dealt to you perfectly. Mistakes will cost you money so practice the basic strategy and always use it when you play.

Blackjack Odds

BlackJack Strategies

In Blackjack you can substantially improve your odds of winning by developing a thorough understanding of the game. Dissimilar to other gambling games, Blackjack is a game of skill, and can be played well, as opposed to just being lucky.

Below you will find some information about Blackjack odds and probabilities. Try to
remember as much as you can from this page. It will help you understand the chances of beating the dealer in a variety of situations. Also, mental mastery of these numbers will enable you to make the best decision since being familiar with the percentages is extremely beneficial when playing.

This table is a general outline of the chances of busting when you hit. It gives you a better idea of the odds you face when hitting on a high teen (17+).

11 or less 0%

Where does the house get its edge in
Blackjack?
Due to the favorable rules in Blackjack,
especially the fact that the dealer must hit on
certain occasions and is therefore more
prone to busting, many people wonder how
the casinos can consistently turn a profit at
Blackjack. The house's advantage - also
known as the house edge - comes from the
fact that the dealer's hand is played after all
the players have taken their turn.

Those players that bust (go over 21) lose immediately. After this happens, the dealer plays his hand and if he busts, the players that didn‘t bust are paid. The casino makes its profit from the fact that players who bust lose immediately, even if the dealer goes on to bust as well. Regardless of how favorable the Blackjack rules might be in a particular casino, this one aspect always gives the house an edge. Keep in mind this edge is significantly lower than in most games, and for this reason Blackjack continues to be one
of the most popular games Remember, it is very important to understand basic Blackjack strategy if you want to increase your chances of being a
successful Blackjack player.