Because the house has the edge over any player, it is essential to devise and keep to a successful blackjack playing strategy in order to increase the odds of winning. Here are some basic strategies and tips for winning play.
If a player’s cards show a combined total of 21, the player wins. On hands with a value between 2 and 8, always take a hit. On hands with a value of 17, 18, 19, or 20, always stand. If you are dealt cards totaling 13, 14, 15 or 16 and the dealer is showing a 6 or less, always stand on this hand. Always take another card if the dealer is showing higher than a 6. Also, if you have at least 12 in your hand and the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6, then don’t take any more cards and stand on that hand.
In blackjack, players have the option to “double down” after getting their first two cards. This doubles the bet but also allows only one more additional card. Players indicate they wish to double down by placing an equal amount of chips beside the original bet.
If two matching cards are dealt, such as two kings or two eights, a player can split the hand. “Splitting” allows the player to place a bet equal to the value of the initial bet and play both cards as two separate hands. The player then draws additional cards for each separate hand. Always split two eights or two aces because the odds are even no matter what happens. Never split two 10′s because the only way a player can lose this hand is if the dealer gets blackjack or 21.
Players can also get “insurance.” which is essentially a side bet that can be made whenever the dealer has an ace showing. If a player has insurance and the dealer gets a blackjack, the player gets paid 2 to 1 on their bet. Some casinos also offer what’s called a “surrender” rule which allows a player to surrender half of their bet and not finish the hand. A dealer may also surrender after they check for blackjack. There are more detailed strategies for blackjack and following these simple tips will reduce the house’s advantage to near even and increase your odds of winning.