Blackjack is probably one of the most popular and accessible table games there is, and it’s certainly one of our favorites here at socialcasinosites.com.
Blackjack stands out as a game of both chance and skill. With the right approach, and a little reading up – you can significantly influence the game’s outcome. Here’s your Basic Blackjack Strategy Guide to mastering the basics and increasing your odds for at least a few dealer wins.
Understanding Blackjack
Your primary goal isn’t just to hit 21, but to beat the dealer without going over, known as ‘busting’.
The Objective
Blackjack is a card game where you and the dealer aim to get a hand totaling 21, or as close to it without exceeding that number. Cards 2-10 are worth their face value, face cards are 10, and an Ace can be either 1 or 11. Sounds simple right
Your primary goal isn’t just to hit 21, but to beat the dealer without going over, known as ‘busting’.
Starting the Game
Upon placing your bet, you’ll receive two cards, typically face up. The dealer will also draw two cards, one face up (known as the ‘up card’) and one face down (the ‘hole card’).
Basic Strategy Principles
- Hard Hands: A hand without an Ace or where the Ace counts as one.
- Soft Hands: Contains an Ace counted as 11.
With these definitions in mind, let’s take a look into what they call “basic strategy”:
Hard Hands Strategy:
- Total 8 or less: Always hit.
- Total 9: Double if the dealer has 3-6, else hit.
- Total 10: Double if the dealer has 2-9, else hit.
- Total 11: Double if the dealer has 2-10, hit if dealer has an Ace.
- Total 12: Hit if the dealer has 2, 3 or 7 and up; stand otherwise.
- Total 13-16: Stand if the dealer has 2-6, else hit.
- Total 17-21: Always stand.
Soft Hands Strategy:
- Ace-2 or Ace-3: Double if the dealer has 5-6, else hit.
- Ace-4 or Ace-5: Double if the dealer has 4-6, else hit.
- Ace-6: Double if the dealer has 3-6, else hit.
- Ace-7: Stand if the dealer has 2, 7, or 8; double if dealer has 3-6, else hit.
- Ace-8 or Ace-9: Always stand.
Splitting Strategy:
Splitting means, if you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. Here’s when you should:
- Aces: Always split.
- 8’s: Always split.
- 2’s or 3’s: Split if the dealer has 2-7; otherwise hit.
- 4’s: Only split if the dealer has 5 or 6.
- 5’s: Never split. Treat like a total of 10.
- 6’s: Split if the dealer has 2-6; otherwise hit.
- 7’s: Split if the dealer has 2-7; otherwise hit.
- 9’s: Split if the dealer has 2-6 or 8-9; stand if dealer has 7, 10, or Ace.
Doubling Down:
This is an opportunity to double your bet (of your initial wager) after receiving the initial cards. The catch? You’ll receive just one more card.
Put simply:
- You should consider a double down if your cards total 9, 10, or 11 with no ace. You could also double down if your cards total 16, 17, or 18 when you do have an ace.
- We recommend to not double down if the dealer has an ace or if your cards total more than 11 as the odds will be stacked in the House’s favor.
Insurance:
Some games offer insurance if the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. It’s a side bet on whether the dealer has a 10 in the hole. In basic strategy, it’s typically advised to avoid insurance if you are just a beginner without much experience.
A Few Our Tips for Social Casino Blackjack:
- Start with Lower Bets: As you familiarize yourself with strategy, begin with smaller bets to minimize potential virtual currency losses.
- Practice Regularly: Utilize free-to-play modes on social casino sites. The more you play, the more instinctive your decision-making becomes.
- Stay Calm and Collected: Remember, Blackjack is a game of patience and strategy. Avoid chasing losses, and stick to the basic strategy.
Conclusion:
Despite “chance” being both luck and your enemy, and with odds already stacked towards the house, we highly recommend equipping yourself with basic strategy knowledge, which can increase your odds dramatically. As you venture into the virtual halls of social casino sites, remember that it’s not just about winning, but also about enjoying the game. Be patient, persistent, and let the journey to mastering Blackjack be a fun one!
