Basic Rules for Blackjack

From Zeke Quezada,
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The Basic Strategy That Gives You an Edge.

BlackJack: Basic Strategy

In order to increase your edge at blackjack it’s important to follow a few simple rules. Over the course of the last few days players have sent their email messages and advice and the majority opinion seems to follow what the pro’s dictate regularly.

According to The “American MENSA guide to Casino Gambling, if you follow these simple rules you can win at blackjack. More importantly, you can lessen the house’s edge which in turn gives you a better shot at leaving the casino with a bit of their cash.

That is as long as you don’t try your hand at something else before you walk out the front door.

If you have: - You should:

9 or lower – hit

10 or 11 – double down if your cards add up to more than the dealer’s upcard. If not, Hit

12 thru 16 – hit when dealer's upcard is 7 or higher; stand otherwise.

17 or higher – Stand

With Soft hands, things change a bit. A soft hand includes any hand that uses an Ace as an 11 instead of a 1, such as a “Soft 17”, which includes and ace and a 6.

13 thru 18 – Double down when dealer's upcard is 5 or 6

17 or lower – hit

18 hit when dealer's card is six or less; stand when dealer's card is seven or more

19 or higher – stand

pairs

Always split Aces and eights

Never split 10s, 4s or 5s

Split all other pairs when dealer’s upcard is 6 or less

Never take insurance