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Blackjack Strategy

Basic blackjack strategy is based on mathematics. It has been extensively tested through computer simulations. When it is used properly it can greatly reduce the house advantage to a minimum of 0.5%. As rules change from casino to casino, changes can also be made

in the basic strategy, as well. There are also different basic blackjack strategies for single decks and multiple decks.

Anyone who wants to win a blackjack needs to learn basic blackjack strategy. Some use basic strategy charts based on the tables like the following ones. These charts are based on mutli-deck games, which you'll find in most casinos.

Dealer's hand is on top, player's hand on left side.

* HIT = If double after splitting is not allowed.
Action: H = Hit S = Stand D = Double P = Split

Hard Totals

Hard Totals	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
17-20	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Soft Totals

Soft Totals	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
A 2	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A 3	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A 4	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A 5	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A 6	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A 7	S	D	D	D	D	S	S	H	H	H
A 8	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A 9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Pair Splitting

Pairs	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
2 2	P *	P *	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
3 3	P *	P *	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
4 4	H	H	H	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5 5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
6 6	P*	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
7 7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
8 8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
9 9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
10's	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A's	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P

These tables show you how to play depending on your first two cards and the dealer's card that is face up. The house gains an edge from the fact that the player must act first. These charts only deal with what to do with your first two cards. Players should also understand what to do after taking a hit. You can use the chart to help you decide what to do with three cards as well.

For example, if you have a 2 and a 5 you have a total hand of 8. The basic strategy chart tells you to hit. If you get another three you have 11. The chart says to double on eleven, but that is only allowed on your first two cards. Your only option then is to hit.

Here is a basic strategy for multi card hands:

Hard Hands - If you have:

8 or less – hit.
9 - double if dealer has 3 to 6 otherwise hit.
10 - double if the dealer has 2 to 9, otherwise hit.
11 - double if the dealer has 2 to 11, otherwise hit.
12 - hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, stand if dealer has 4 to 6, otherwise hit.
13 to 16 – stand if the dealer has 2 to 6, otherwise hit.
17 to 21 – stand always.

Soft Hands – If you have:

Ace, 2 or Ace, 3: double if the dealer has 5 or 6, otherwise hit.
Ace, 4 or Ace, 5: double if the dealer has 4 to 6, otherwise hit.
Ace, 6: double if the dealer has 3 to 6, otherwise hit.
Ace, 7: stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8, double 3 to 6, otherwise hit.
Ace, 8 or Ace, 9: stand always.

Pairs – If you have:

Aces, Eights: split.
Twos or Threes: split if dealer has 2 to 7, otherwise hit.
Fours: split if the dealer has 4 or 5, otherwise hit.
Fives: double if the dealer has 2 to 9, otherwise hit.
Sixes: split if the dealer has 2 to 6, other wise hit.
Sevens: split if dealer has 2 to 7, otherwise hit.
Nines: split if dealer has 2 to 6 and 8 or 9; stand if dealer has 7, 10 or ace.
Tens: stand.
Never follow these rules:

Never hit on a 12 or above.
Follow the rules laid out to the dealer.
Assume the dealers' hole card is a 10.

If you want to reduce the house edge you need to follow these basic blackjack strategy instructions. They have been mathematically proven to increase your winnings!