Our Blackjack Strategy Chart Teaches You Exactly When to Hit, Stand, Split, or Double Down

Are you a blackjack enthusiast looking to improve your game? Do you want to learn how to make the right decisions at the blackjack table? Look no further than our blackjack strategy chart! In this article, we’ll teach you exactly when to hit, stand, split, or double down to maximize your chances of winning.

Understanding Basic Blackjack Strategy

Before we dive into our strategy chart, let’s first review some basic blackjack strategy. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand value, without going over 21. Each player is dealt two cards and the dealer is dealt one card face up and one card face down.

The value of each card in blackjack is as follows: Ace is worth 1 or 11 points, face cards (king, queen, jack) are worth 10 points, and all other cards are worth their face value. Players can request additional cards (hit) to improve their hand value, or they can stand with their current hand. Players can also split pairs and double down on certain hands.

The Blackjack Strategy Chart

Our blackjack strategy chart is a visual representation of the optimal plays for every possible combination of player hand and dealer up-card. It takes into account the probabilities of busting, winning, and pushing in each situation.

Here are the key elements of our blackjack strategy chart:

Hard Hands

A hard hand is a hand that does not contain an Ace or contains an Ace that can only be counted as 1 point. Here’s what to do with different hard hands:

• Always hit with a hard 8 or less
• Stand with a hard 17 or higher
• Double down with a hard 9, 10, or 11, except against a dealer’s 10 or Ace
• Hit with a hard 12-16 if the dealer’s up-card is 7 or higher; otherwise, stand

Soft Hands

A soft hand is a hand that contains an Ace that can be counted as either 1 point or 11 points. Here’s what to do with different soft hands:

• Always hit with a soft 17 or less
• Double down with a soft 16-18 against a dealer’s 2-6; otherwise, hit
• Double down with a soft 19 against a dealer’s 6; otherwise, stand
• Stand with a soft 19 or higher

Pairs

If your first two cards are a pair, you have the option to split them into two separate hands. Here’s what to do with different pairs:

• Always split Aces and 8s
• Never split 4s, 5s, or 10s
• Split 2s and 3s against a dealer’s 4-7; otherwise, hit
• Split 6s against a dealer’s 2-6; otherwise, hit
• Split 7s against a dealer’s 2-7; otherwise, hit
• Split 9s against a dealer’s 2-6 and 8-9; otherwise, stand

When to Double Down

Doubling down is when you double your original bet and receive only one additional card. Here’s when to double down:

• Double down with a hard 9 against a dealer’s 3-6
• Double down with a hard 10 against a dealer’s 2-9
• Double down with a hard 11 against a dealer’s 2-10
• Double down with a soft 13-18 against a dealer’s 5-6

Conclusion

Using our blackjack strategy chart can significantly improve your odds of winning at the blackjack table. By following the recommended plays for each combination of player hand and dealer up-card, you can make more informed decisions and reduce the house edge.

It’s important to remember that while our strategy chart provides a solid foundation for playing blackjack, it does not guarantee a win every time. There will still be times when luck is not on your side, and you may end up losing a hand despite making the right plays.

However, by consistently following the optimal plays suggested by our strategy chart, you can increase your chances of winning in the long run.

FAQs

1. Can I use the blackjack strategy chart in online blackjack games?

• Yes, you can use the strategy chart in both online and offline blackjack games.

2. Do I need to memorize the entire strategy chart?

• While it’s not necessary to memorize every single play on the chart, it’s recommended to familiarize yourself with the most common plays.

3. Is the strategy chart suitable for all blackjack variations?

• The strategy chart is based on the rules of classic blackjack, so it may not be suitable for all variations. Make sure to check the rules of the game before using the chart.

4. Can I modify the strategy chart to suit my own playing style?

• While you can make slight modifications to the strategy chart, it’s important to remember that the recommended plays are based on mathematical probabilities, so deviating too far from them may not be optimal.

5. Can I still have fun while using the strategy chart?

• Absolutely! Using the strategy chart can actually enhance the fun and excitement of playing blackjack by giving you a clearer understanding of the game and a better chance of winning.