Blackjack Strategy
Having mastered the rules the next step in ensuring successful online blackjack play is to become familiar with basic blackjack strategy. This involves using all of the information available to consistently make the best possible decisions during each hand. The best online blackjack strategy involves accounting for which card the dealer is showing as well as the total of your own cards.
There are a wide number of options available during the play of each blackjack hand. A basic understanding of the right circumstances to hit, stand, double and surrender will help you significantly reduce the house edge.
Basic Blackjack Strategy Based On The Dealer’s Showing Card.
When the dealer shows a card from 7 to 10 the probability is that they have a ‘made hand’ since there are more cards 7 and over than from 2 to 6. This means you should ‘hit’ in order to make a hand 17 or over yourself – even when there is some risk of busting your hand while doing so.
If the dealer is showing a card from 2 to 6 then there is a greater chance of the dealer going broke on this deal. This in turn means that you may win the hand without holding 17 or over. In this case you should stand with a hand that carries a large risk of going broke (14 through 16) to optimize your play.
Basic Blackjack Strategy For Playing ‘Soft’ Hands
Hands containing an ace may be played with the ace counting as 1 rather than 11. The best example is with an ace-six you have a total of either 7 or 17. Deciding whether to hit or stand can be based on whether the dealer is showing a strong card or not. When the dealer is showing a 10 they have a high probability of making a good hand, and the likelihood is that this will be better than 17. In this case you can hit to try and make a better hand. If the dealer is showing a 5 or a 6 then their chances of busting have increased, now standing with your soft 17 may be the better play.
Basic Online Blackjack Strategy For Splitting Pairs and for Doubling Down
Once again it is the card showing in the dealer’s hand that makes the best blackjack strategy clear in these circumstances. Doubling when the dealer shows a 5 or 6 is certainly a positive expectation move – as is splitting most medium paired hands. When the dealer shows an ace or a 10 both of these options begin to carry a higher risk.
Once you have mastered basic blackjack strategy you are ready to hit the virtual blackjack tables at one of our many trusted partner casinos. Click for detailed information on the best blackjack bonuses and blackjack games available online.
