Blackjack Strategy
Playing with a strategy is the surest way to make money when
playing Blackjack. Keep in mind when playing that the dealer must draw while
he has 16 and must stand on 17, and that you don't have to reach 21 to win,
but only rank higher than the dealer. So don't be tempted to hit in cases where
the dealer is likely to bust.
The following tables break down the moves of this blackjack strategy, where
the left columns shows the player's starting hand, and the right columns show
what to do according to the dealer's open card.
Pairs |
|
| A+A 8+8 |
Always Split |
| 2+2 3+3 7+7 |
Split against the dealer's 2 to 7, otherwise Hit. |
| 4+4 | Split against 5 or 6, otherwise Hit. |
| 5+5 | Don't Split, but Double against 2 to 9 or Hit against A or 10 |
| 6+6 | Split against 2 to 6, otherwise Hit. |
| 9+9 | Split against 2 to 6 or 8 to 9. Stand against 7, 10 or an A. |
| 10+10 | Don't Split, and always Stand |
Aces |
|
| A+2 | Double against 5 or 6, otherwise Hit. |
| A+3 A+4 A+5 |
Double against 4 to 6, otherwise Hit. |
| A+6 | Double against 3 to 6, otherwise Hit. |
| A+7 | Double against 3 to 6. Stand against 2 or 7 or an 8. Draw against 9 or 10 or an 11 |
| A+8 A+9 A+10 |
Stand. |
Other Hands |
|
| 5 to 8 | Hit |
| 9 | Double against 3 to 6, otherwise Hit. |
| 10 | Double against 2 to 9, otherwise Hit. |
| 11 | Double against 2 to 10. Hit against A. |
| 12 | Stand against 4 to 6, otherwise Hit. |
| 13 to 16 | Stand against 2 to 6, otherwise Hit. |
| 17 to 21 | Stand |
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