Textbook BlackJack Strategy

[jjgold]

How to Play Hard Hands

• 8 or less Always hit
• 9 Double if the dealer has 3 thru 6 - otherwise hit
• 10 Double if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
• 11 Double if the dealer has 2 thru 10, Hit if dealer has Ace.
• 12 Hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, Stand if the dealer has 4 thru 6, otherwise hit.
• 13-16 Stand if the dealer has2 thru 6, otherwise hit.
• 17-21 Always Stand

How to Play Soft Hands

A soft hand is when one of your starting hands contains an ace.
If you have:

• Ace 2 or Ace 3 Double if the dealer has 5 or 6 - otherwise hit.
• Ace 4 or Ace 5 Double if the dealer has 4 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
• Ace 6 Double if the dealer has 3 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
• Ace 7 Stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8. Double 3 -thru 6 - otherwise hit.
• Ace 8 or Ace 9 Always Stand

How to Play Pairs


If you have a pair of:

• Aces or 8's Always split.
• 2's or 3's Split if the dealer has 2 - 7, otherwise hit.
• 4's Split if the dealer has 4 or 5 - otherwise hit.
• 5's Double if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
• 6's Split if the dealer has 2 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
• 7's Split 2 thru 7 - otherwise hit.
• 9's Split 2 thru 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or Ace.
• 10's Always Stand.

Whatever you take from the advice above, make sure you remember the following for points

1. Always split a pair of aces.
2. Always split a pair of 8s.
3. Always stand on 17 and up
4. Always double on 11