Every successful player knows this basic blackjack strategy

image of basic blackjack

The basic blackjack strategy is derived from the game's mathematics. The tactic underwent several tests and has been polished using computer simulations. If done the right way, the player will be able to reduce the house edge, which is normally around half of a percent. Certain small adjustments are done to the basic blackjack strategy subject to some rule variations that casinos prefer to follow. For instance, there are casinos that allow players to double down once they have split (DOS), while others don't allow it. Some alterations are also done for multiple deck and single deck matches.

If you'd like to be an effective player, you have to learn how to play efficiently and master the basic technique. Thankfully, Play2Win Casino is here to help. Majority of players begin learning by looking at articles that chart the basic technique. This chart illustrates how players should play their initial two cards depending on the up card of the dealer. Looking back at the basics of Rival software blackjack, we understand that the house edge is gained by the fact that it is the players that make the first move. Because the basic technique graph deals with just the initial two cards, a player has to learn about decision-making after getting a hit. The most efficient way to simplify the chart is to put it into text which discusses how to handle a hand made up of at least three cards.

Playing Hard Hands

If a player has two beginning cards that don't have an ace, it is called a hard hand. If this happens, he can do the following: (1) hit, if he has an eight or lower; (2) if he has nine, he can double provided that the dealer has 3 up to 6, otherwise he should hit; (3) if he has a ten, he can double as long as the dealer has 2 up to 9, otherwise he should hit; (4) if he has an eleven, he can double as long as the dealer has 2 up to 10, otherwise he should hit; (5) if he has a twelve, he should hit provided that the dealer is in possession of a 2 0r 3, while he should stand if the dealer has a card of 4 to 6, otherwise he should also hit; (6) if he has a 13 thru 16, he should stand if the dealer has cards from 2 to 6, otherwise he should hit and, lastly, (7) if he has cards between 17 to 21, he should always stand.

Playing Soft Hands

If you get a starting hand that has an ace, then it is called a soft hand. There are a number of things you can do here, including: (1) double when the dealer is in possession of a 5 or 6 and you have an Ace 2 or 3, otherwise you should hit; (2) if you were dealt with an Ace 4 or 5, you should double provided that the dealer has 4 up to 6, otherwise you should hit; (3) when you have an Ace 6, you must double provided that the dealer has 3 up to 6, otherwise you should hit; (4) when you have an Ace 7, you need to stand when the dealer has 2, 8 or 7 and you should double when the dealer has 3 up to 6, otherwise you should hit and (5) you need to stand when you were dealt with an Ace 8 or 9.

With this translation of the chart into written English, it is easier to memorize the basic blackjack strategy.