Blackjack
The Basic Strategy
The first thing all
players need to learn about blackjack is the basic strategy. This is
basically the best way to play all possible scenarios that you will
face. We list the basic strategy for four of more decks when the dealer
stands on soft 17. This is the most common from of blackjack you will
see, and these moves can be effective under any rules.
To use the basic strategy
look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card
along the top. In both cases an A stands for ace. Rule variations can
have an effect on some borderline situations. The most flexible rules
are the number of decks, whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17,
and whether doubling is allowed after splitting.
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Key to table:
- Orange = Hit
-
- Red = Stand
-
- Green = Double if allowed,
otherwise hit
-
- Beige = Split
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Insurance
Never take
insurance, even if you have blackjack. If you count cards, then you
might be able to get away with it if the deck is loaded with tens, but
if you do not count cards, the ALLWAYS decline it. The following table
shows the house edge on the insurance bet depending on the number of
decks used.
| House
Edge on Insurance |
Number
of Decks |
House
Edge |
| 1 |
5.882% |
| 2 |
6.796% |
| 4 |
7.246% |
| 6 |
7.395% |
| 8 |
7.470% |
Surrender
Sometimes with a 6
or 8 deck you will have the option to surrender. To be specific the you
(the player) may forfeit half of your bet to be excused from playing out
your hand. Usually, the only time you may surrender is when the dealer
checks for blackjack. The following table is a basic guide for when to
surrender (Y=yes, N=no).
| Basic
Surrender Strategy |
Player's
Hand |
Dealer's
Card |
| 9 |
10 |
A |
| 15 |
N |
Y |
N |
| 16 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
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