Finding the perfect strategy requires a combination of personal preference, trial and error. There are a number of basic blackjack strategies that have been published over the years, each one offering similar suggestions. A basic strategy is generally 100% memorized by the player so that the moves become almost a natural reflex when placed in a particular card situation. The perfect blackjack strategy is there to guide a player and help him know exactly which moves are the most beneficial to make based on his and the dealer’s cards.
Hard Totals:
If you are holding cards totaling 5-8, against any of the dealer’s totals, you should always be hit. If your cards total nine, then for a dealer’s 2, 7-10 and Ace, you should be hit, while you should double if the dealer is showing 3-6. If you are holding a total of ten, you should double for any of the dealer’s cards except for a 10 or Ace; while if you are holding a total of 11 you should double for everything except an Ace on which you should be hit.
If your cards total 12, you should be hit if the dealer is showing a 2, 3, 7–10 or an Ace, while standing if the dealer is showing a 4-6. If you are holding a total of 13-14, you should stand if the dealer is showing a 2-6 and be hit for a 7 upwards. When holding a total of 15, you should stand if a dealer is showing a 2-6, be hit if he is showing 7-9 and if you are allowed then surrender if he is showing a 10 or Ace. The same applies if you are holding a total of 16, but you can also surrender for a 9 if allowed. When your cards total 17, you should stand on all of the dealer’s cards, but surrender if you can if he is showing an Ace. If you are holding a total of 18-20, you should stand on all of the dealers’ cards.
Soft Totals:
If you are holding a soft Ace & 2-3, then you should be hit if the dealer is showing a 2-4, double on a 5-6 and be hit 7 upwards. If you are holding a soft Ace & 4-5, you should be hit if the dealer is showing a 2-3 and 7-upwards, but double if he is showing a 4-6. When holding a soft Ace & 6, then you should be hit if the dealer is showing a 2 and 7 upwards, but double if a 3-6 is shown. With a soft Ace & 7 combination you should double if the dealer is showing 6 and under, stand if he is showing a 7 or 8 and be hit if you see a 9, 10 or Ace. A soft Ace & 8 calls you to stand when the dealer is showing 5 and under, double for his six and stand for 7 and up. A combination of a soft Ace & 9 calls a player to stand on any of the dealer’s exposed cards.
Pairs:
The tactic with pairs is different because the ability to split, changes the focus of the player. If a double two or double three is held, and the dealer is showing 2-7, you should always split, but be hit if an 8 upwards is shown. For a double four, you should be hit for everything except if the dealer is showing a 5 or 6, for which you should split. For a double five, you should double if the dealer is showing a 2-9 but be hit for a 10 or Ace. For a double six, you should split for a 2-6 and be hit if the dealer is showing 7 upwards. A double seven demands splitting for a 2-7 and being hit for an 8 upwards. Double eights call for a player to split on all of the dealers’ cards, but to surrender on an Ace if allowed. If holding a double nine, you should split for a 2-6, stand for seven, split for 8-9 and stand for a ten and Ace. A double ten calls for you to split on any card the dealer is showing, while a double Ace requires you to always split.
With a little bit of practice, a basic blackjack strategy will become a player’s second nature. The perfect blackjack strategy, however, will ultimately depend on each individual player’s style, the house rules and the environment in which a game is played. The journey to finding the perfect blackjack strategy is one of trial and error, but filled with much fun and excitement!