Understanding Blackjack
Of all casino table games, perhaps blackjack gives the player the best chance of being victorious. Blackjack (also known as 21) is a mathematics- based casino table game, and as such every situation has statistical
odds. Many people ask questions such as, "Does it matter how many decks are used?," "Should I switch tables?," etc., but these things are more related to card-counting in the former case, and emotion in the latter, than with basic strategy. This article is going to solely concentrate on "Basic Strategy" in a variety of situations.
When should a player hold (not take a card)? If the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or a 6, and the player has a "bustable" hand (meaning there is a possibility that the next card will put the player over 21), the player should always stand!
If the dealer is showing a 7, 8, 9, 10, picture card or ace, then the player should always hit. if the players 2-card total is under 17. Many players fear hitting a 14, 15, or 16, but statistically, the dealer already has beaten you or will beat you far more often than you will bust. For example, if the player has a 14, the player will only bust with an 8, 9, 10 or picture card (6 out of 13), but the dealer with a ten showing has an 8 out of 13 chance of already having a "down" card that will beat your 14. There are many books and articles about blackjack, but the "Basic Strategy" is always the same in the accurate books by experts!
When should a player split cards? Always split 8's and aces; never split 4's, 5's, or 10's! All other "split" situations are situational - - that is, depend on what card the dealer is showing.
For example, the player should be more aggressive if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6, than in other cases! General rules include: Split 2's if the dealer is showing a 2 through a 9, but not if the dealer is showing a 7; Split 3's if dealer is showing 3 through 6; Never split 4's or 5's; Split 6's when dealer is showing 3 through 6; Split 7's when dealer shows 2 through 9, but not 7; always split 8's; split 9's when dealer showing 2 through 9, but not 7; never split 10's or picture cards; always split aces.
When should a player double down? For the beginner, one should only double down on 9, 10, or 11 hands. Double down on 9 when dealer showing 2 through 9, but not 7; double down on 10 when dealer has 2 through 9; double down on 11 when dealer has any card but an ace showing.
When should a player take a card? If the dealer has a 2 showing, hit if players total is 12 or lower- stand otherwise. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 showing, only hit is players total is 11 or lower, or player has a soft total of 16 or lower. If the dealer has a 7 or greater showing, always hit if player has total of 16 or below.
One of the biggest errors beginning blackjack players make is not sticking to "basic strategy"on every hand. While the player may occasionally win a hand by playing incorrectly, over time, the House will win because of doing this. Another big error is for a player to jump to another table because he's lost a few hands. Statistically, every table has the same odds over time, so if you stay at the same table, the table will eventually turn for a while in the player's favor, to even out the odds. However, perhaps the major error made is not getting up and leaving when you are ahead, and have played a while. Statistically, most player's play suffers over time, because they either get tired or distracted. The casino wants you to drink, but is you want to have a chance to maintain control of your money, it is usually not a good idea.
Only gamble an amount you can afford to lose. Playing good, consistent "basic strategy," you will keep a far larger portion of your money, and if you aren't greedy and emotional, may often win over time. Enjoy, but don't be stupid!
odds. Many people ask questions such as, "Does it matter how many decks are used?," "Should I switch tables?," etc., but these things are more related to card-counting in the former case, and emotion in the latter, than with basic strategy. This article is going to solely concentrate on "Basic Strategy" in a variety of situations.
When should a player hold (not take a card)? If the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or a 6, and the player has a "bustable" hand (meaning there is a possibility that the next card will put the player over 21), the player should always stand!
If the dealer is showing a 7, 8, 9, 10, picture card or ace, then the player should always hit. if the players 2-card total is under 17. Many players fear hitting a 14, 15, or 16, but statistically, the dealer already has beaten you or will beat you far more often than you will bust. For example, if the player has a 14, the player will only bust with an 8, 9, 10 or picture card (6 out of 13), but the dealer with a ten showing has an 8 out of 13 chance of already having a "down" card that will beat your 14. There are many books and articles about blackjack, but the "Basic Strategy" is always the same in the accurate books by experts!
When should a player split cards? Always split 8's and aces; never split 4's, 5's, or 10's! All other "split" situations are situational - - that is, depend on what card the dealer is showing.
For example, the player should be more aggressive if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6, than in other cases! General rules include: Split 2's if the dealer is showing a 2 through a 9, but not if the dealer is showing a 7; Split 3's if dealer is showing 3 through 6; Never split 4's or 5's; Split 6's when dealer is showing 3 through 6; Split 7's when dealer shows 2 through 9, but not 7; always split 8's; split 9's when dealer showing 2 through 9, but not 7; never split 10's or picture cards; always split aces.
When should a player double down? For the beginner, one should only double down on 9, 10, or 11 hands. Double down on 9 when dealer showing 2 through 9, but not 7; double down on 10 when dealer has 2 through 9; double down on 11 when dealer has any card but an ace showing.
When should a player take a card? If the dealer has a 2 showing, hit if players total is 12 or lower- stand otherwise. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 showing, only hit is players total is 11 or lower, or player has a soft total of 16 or lower. If the dealer has a 7 or greater showing, always hit if player has total of 16 or below.
One of the biggest errors beginning blackjack players make is not sticking to "basic strategy"on every hand. While the player may occasionally win a hand by playing incorrectly, over time, the House will win because of doing this. Another big error is for a player to jump to another table because he's lost a few hands. Statistically, every table has the same odds over time, so if you stay at the same table, the table will eventually turn for a while in the player's favor, to even out the odds. However, perhaps the major error made is not getting up and leaving when you are ahead, and have played a while. Statistically, most player's play suffers over time, because they either get tired or distracted. The casino wants you to drink, but is you want to have a chance to maintain control of your money, it is usually not a good idea.
Only gamble an amount you can afford to lose. Playing good, consistent "basic strategy," you will keep a far larger portion of your money, and if you aren't greedy and emotional, may often win over time. Enjoy, but don't be stupid!
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