Going gambling without prior knowledge of what you’re up against is like going into battle without a gun. Since you’re risking your money with every move, you might as well make the most out of your gambling experience. I believe that a good strategy helps you develop your game and get you more wins than losses, so I have prepared a short but concise article that discusses helpful strategies for one of the most popular casino games – blackjack.
The game of Blackjack is an all-time favorite of veteran gamblers. This is one of those rare casino games where skill actually plays a part whether you win or lose. Blackjack uses the mathematics of probability to reduce the house edge and improve the odds for you. Using a solid and effective strategy in blackjack will limit the house edge to around one-half of a percent, although the effectiveness of your strategy will always depend on the actual rules and the number of decks used, which may vary according to the casino you’re playing in.
Basic blackjack rules state that the dealer must hit on a count of 16 or less, and stand on a count of 17 or more. This is all very good for the house, but if you follow that exact same strategy, you will actually be giving the house a 5.7% edge. So this means that for every $100 you bet on the table, you stand to lose $5.70.
The house advantage is the percentage given to the casino. When you analyze the statistics involved in the game, you will find that for every five hands dealt in blackjack, two hands will not be in your favor. Why? Because the first two cards you’re going to be dealt with will either add to 17-21 35% of the time, 12-16 39% of the time, and less than 11 26% of the time. You will see that the first two cards you’re going to be dealt with are going to be good only 35% of the time.
Here is a list of a basic strategy guide for playing hard totals in blackjack:
If you have a hard total of 8 or less, always hit.
If you have a hard total of 9, hit if the dealer has an up card of 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace. Now, if the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 – double down if you can; if not, hit.
If you have a hard total of 10, hit if the dealer has a 10 or Ace. If the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 – double down if you can; if not, hit.
If you have a hard total of 11, hit if the dealer has an Ace. If the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 – double down if you can; if not, hit.
If you have a hard total of 12, hit if the dealer has a 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace. Stand if the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6.
If you have a hard total of 13 or 14, stand if the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Hit if the dealer has a 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace.
If you have a hard total of 15, stand if the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Hit if the dealer has a 7, 8, 9 or Ace. If the dealer has a 10, you have to surrender if you’re allowed to; if not, hit.
If you have a hard total of 16, stand if the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Hit if the dealer has a 7 or 8. If the dealer has a 9, 10 or Ace, surrender if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit.
If you have a hard total of 17 or higher, always stand.
Strategy guide for playing soft totals in blackjack:
If you have an Ace 2 or Ace 3 soft total, hit if the dealer has an up card of 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace. If the dealer has a 5 or 6 – double down if you can; if not, hit.
If you have an Ace 4 or Ace 5 soft total, hit if the dealer has a 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace. If the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit.
If you have an Ace 6 soft total, hit if the dealer has a 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 – double down if you can; otherwise, hit.
If you have an Ace 7 soft total, stand if the dealer has a 2, 7 or 8. Hit if the dealer has a 9, 10 or Ace. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 – double down if you can; otherwise stand.
If you have an Ace 8, Ace 9 or Ace 10 soft total, always stand.
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