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Best Tips and Tricks On Blackjack Basic Strategy for Beginners

basic strategy for blackjack

There are numerous detailed descriptions of the basic blackjack strategy, but many users don't have the desire to study multiple tables and columns of figures. Moreover, gamblers usually sit at the table extremely rarely and believe it would be nice to avoid making silly mistakes.

We will try to help such players in this article. The introductory paragraphs of the basic strategy will be presented in a concise and accessible manner, with a thorough explanation of all key terms. We hope it will help novice gamblers quickly master the basic principles.

How to Learn Blackjack Basic Strategy

The basic strategy provides players with patterns for 270 possible situations. Ten face-up dealers' cards are multiplied by twenty-seven potential players' hands. It is difficult and tiresome for most inexperienced players to study all of them. Some sources recommend that users memorize all combinations, but there are easier ways to master them.

We recommend that users should select a multi-deck version, in which the dealer stands on a soft seventeen, for the first acquaintance with the basic strategy. This is the most common type of blackjack that is available at most casinos.

As soon as you understand the basic terms, try other combinations of decks and rules.

In general, many rules can be grouped into so-called categories or groups. For example, there is no need to remind you that when you have an 11, you should double if the dealer has a 2, 3, 4, and so on up to ten inclusive. It is enough to understand that you should double if the dealer has any card except for an ace in such a situation. Following this principle, you do not have to memorize all the situations that may arise at the table mechanically.

We have united all possible combinations into twenty-six simple rules while playing blackjack.

How to Play Hard Hands

First, let's address the issue of hard hands.

  • Always stand on 17.
  • Double down if you have 11 points in case of any dealer's cards, except for an ace.
  • Double down on 10 against any dealer's cards, except for a ten and an ace.
  • Double down on 9 if the dealer has from 3 to 6.
  • Hit if you have less than 12 (make a double in the cases mentioned above).
  • Surrender on 15 against the dealer's 10.
  • Surrender on 15 against the dealer's 9 or higher.
  • If you have the other score, hit against a dealer's 7 or higher.
  • Hit on 12 against the dealer's 2 or 3.

In other cases, you should stand.

How to Play Soft Hands

Now, we explain what to do with soft blackjack hands.

  • Always stand on 19 or 20.
  • Stand on 18 against the dealer's 7 or 8.
  • If you have another score, hit against the dealer's 7 or higher.
  • Double down with any cards against the dealer's 5 or 6.
  • Double down on soft 15-18 against the dealer's 4.
  • Double down on 17 or 18 against the dealer's 3.
  • Double on 18 against the dealer's 2.

In other cases, it is necessary to hit.

How to Play Your Pairs

Let's move to your pairs.

  • Always split eights and aces.
  • Never split tens.
  • Double two fives against the dealer's 9 or lower.
  • Don't split nines against the dealer's 7, 10, or ace.
  • Hit on any pairs from deuces to sixes if the dealer has 8 or higher (except for fives against the dealer's 8 and 9 when you must double).
  • Hit on two sixes and fours if the dealer has 7.
  • Hit on two fours if the dealer has 4 or lower.

In other cases, you should split.

Where to Play Blackjack by the Basic Strategy?

First, study the theory presented in the article and thoroughly understand all the recommendations. If you are unfamiliar with any terms or clauses in the rules, you can find their descriptions in the thematic articles. Next, discover free blackjack in the game reviews on Casinoz. Choose the classic varieties. Leave the unique versions for later. Practice in the demo version before you put your bankroll into action.

Play blackjack for real money at honest gambling establishments. 

More Tips on BJ Basic Strategy

Recommendations for hard hands are more easily memorized because users encounter them more frequently while playing. Users can improve their skills using simulators, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Additionally, most online casinos offer the option to gamble for free. You can create a cheat sheet and use it until you have memorized all the options.

It is also worth noting that in some cases professionals advise gamblers to add some changes to the basic strategy, but such nuances should be studied as soon as you have firmly mastered all the basics.

Play regularly, and you will achieve the required result!

Frequently asked Questions

💰 What is the purpose of the basic strategy in blackjack?

The purpose of the basic strategy is to provide a player with the mathematically optimal way to play every hand. It is a set of rules that tells you the best decision to make for any given combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard. By following the basic strategy, you can minimize the house edge and increase your chances of winning in the long run. The strategy is based on probability and has been determined through extensive computer simulations.

😎 How does the basic strategy account for the dealer's hand?

The basic strategy is designed around the dealer's upcard, as that is the only information you have about their hand. The strategy assumes the dealer's face-down card is a ten-value card, since there are more cards with a value of ten in a deck than any other card. Based on this assumption, the strategy categorizes the dealer's hands into two groups: those that are likely to bust and those that are likely to result in a favorable hand. For example, if the dealer shows a two through six, the basic strategy recommends playing more conservatively, assuming the dealer might bust. If the dealer shows a seven or higher, the strategy calls for a more aggressive approach from the player.

❔ What are the key decisions covered by the basic strategy?

The basic strategy guides all of the key decisions you can make in a game of blackjack. It tells you when to "hit" and take another card, when to "stand" and keep your current hand, when to "double down" to increase your bet and take one more card, and when to "split" a pair into two separate hands. The strategy also includes rules for more advanced plays, like surrendering, if the casino allows it. The rules are specific for hard totals, soft totals (hands with an ace), and pairs.

💲 Why is it so important to memorize the basic strategy?

Memorizing the basic strategy is crucial because it enables you to make the correct play on every hand without having to think or refer to a chart. By committing the rules to memory, you can play faster and more confidently, reducing the risk of making an emotional or impulsive mistake. While the basic strategy does not guarantee you will win every hand, it ensures you are making the mathematically correct choice to maximize your odds over time. The strategy is a fundamental building block for any serious blackjack player.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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