Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to learn to play and also excel at. The rules are simple, as are the strategies that you can employ in order to secure a positive outcome. There are two main strategies for blackjack players: playing hard hands and playing soft hands.
In casino blackjack, a hard hand is one that does not have an ace. If you are dealt one of these hands, there is a specific set of rules that you should follow. If you have a total of nine, double down if the dealer’s up card is 3, 4, 5, or 6 – otherwise, you should double down. If you have ten, you should double down if he shows a card from 2 to 9. If you have eleven or twelve, hit if the dealer has an Ace. For numbers 17 to 21, you should always stand.
Soft hands are those that do contain an Ace, as the card can count as 11 or a 1. If you have A2 or A3, double down if the dealer shows a 5 or a 6 – otherwise hit. If you have A4 or A5, double down if he shows a 4 or a 6 – otherwise hit again. If you have A8 or A9, then you should always stand.
These are just some basic strategic tips, but you should stick to them and be sure to get to know them well before moving on to more complex strategies.
