The Ultimate Beginner s Guide To Blackjack Strategy
Stand
End your turn. A powerful move used when you have a strong starting hand (e.g., a total of 10 or casino 11) and the dealer's upcard is weak. Action
What It Means
When to Consider It
Hit
Take another card. Double Down
Double your initial bet, but you only receive one more card. Used when your hand total is low (e.g., 11 or less) and you are unlikely to bust. Used when your hand total is high (e.g., 17 or more) and hitting is too risky. Surrender
(Not always offered) Forfeit your hand and lose half your bet. A good option when you have a very weak hand (like 16) and the dealer has a very strong upcard (like a 10 or Ace). Split
If you have two cards of the same value (e.g., two 8s), you can create two new hands. This set of decisions is called "Basic Strategy." It was developed through computer simulations and is typically displayed in a color-coded chart. You must place a second bet equal to your first. While memorizing the entire chart can seem daunting, learning a few key rules can dramatically improve your game: Introduction to Basic Strategy
For casino every possible combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard, there is one mathematically optimal decision (hit, casino stand, double, or split) that will result in the highest expected return over the long run. Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s.
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You can achieve this in three ways: The real objective is simple: beat the dealer's hand. It is not to get a hand total of 21. The Objective and Basic Rules of the Game
The objective of Blackjack is often misunderstood.
You and the dealer are both dealt two cards. Card Values: Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value. - Exceeding 21: If your hand total exceeds 21, you bust and immediately lose your bet, regardless of what the dealer has. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10. Your Options: The Player's Decisions
After receiving your first two cards, it's your turn to act. You have several options, and choosing the correct one is the essence of Blackjack strategy. An Ace can be worth either 1 or 11, whichever is more beneficial to the hand. - Game Start: You place your bet. Your cards are usually face up, while the dealer has one card face up (the "upcard") and one card face down (the "hole card").