Blackjack Strategies OLG PlaySmart
Unlike any other casino game, in Blackjack it’s possible to boost the odds in your favour. Learn about Blackjack betting strategies & techniques today.
Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy, not simply chance. Unlike any other casino game, in Blackjack it’s possible to boost the odds in your favour by using certain playing and betting techniques.
In a hard hand, you have two cards, without an ace:
- With 8 or less, always hit
- With 9, double if the dealer has 3 through 6, if not, hit
- With 10, double if the dealer has 2 through 9, if not, hit
- With 11, double if the dealer has 2 through 10, hit if the dealer has an ace
- With 12, hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, stand if the dealer has 4 through 6, if not, hit
- With 13-16, stand if the dealer has 2 through 6, if not, hit
- With 17-21, always stand
In a soft hand, you have two cards, including an ace:
- With ace-2 or ace 3, double if the dealer has 5 or 6, if not, hit
- With ace-4 or ace-5, double if the dealer has 4 through 6, if not, hit
- With ace-6, double if the dealer has 3 through6, if not, hit
- With ace-7, stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8. Double if the dealer has 3 through 6, if not, hit
- With ace-8 or ace-9, always stand
Pairs are simply two cards of the same points value:
- With a pair of aces or 8s, always split
- With a pair of 2s or 3s, split if the dealer has 2 through7, if not, hit
- With a pair of 4s, split if the dealer has 5 or 6, if not, hit
- With a pair of 5s, double if the dealer has 2 through 9, if not, hit
- With a pair of 6s, split if the dealer has 2 through 6, if not, hit
- With a pair of 7s, split if the dealer has 2 through 7, if not, hit
- With a pair of 9s, split if the dealer has 2 through 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or ace
- With a pair of 10s, always stand
In blackjack, if a player is dealt a pair of identically ranked initial cards, known as a pair, they are allowed to split them into separate hands.
If you split, you are dealt two more cards – one for each new hand – and you must also double your bet – one for each hand.
When do you split? The key rules are: with pairs, aces and eights, always split. With tens and fives, never split.
While basic strategy is easy to learn, it can be difficult to remember. It’s perfectly acceptable to use a basic strategy “cue” card while you play. Get the basic strategy card here.
download card Many players think there are other strategies that will help them beat the odds. Here’s the inside scoop.
Learn more about other strategies
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Use these Blackjack Strategy Charts to learn the correct decision for every hand. Basic Strategy is the first step to beating blackjack with card counting
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