When to Hit, Stand, Double Down or Split in Blackjack? - Blackjack Strategy
Blackjack is an emblematic casino game at land-based casinos and online casinos . Its popularity is due to the suspense that comes with each hand, demanding careful deliberation about your next move. Properly evaluating your blackjack hand and making the right betting options means the difference between winning or busting. In this guide, we explore basic blackjack strategy tips for playing here at Stake Casino .
Basics of Blackjack
The blackjack rules stipulate that the objective in blackjack is to beat the dealers’ hand. The magic number is 21, meaning you win if you have a combined hand value of 21 or close to 21, but going over 21 results in a bust. Cards from 2 to 10s retain their intrinsic value, royals count as a 10-value card, and an Ace can be a 1 or 11.
Each player places a bet and receives 2 cards, after which they can choose to Stand and play the current hand, Split and create two separate hands, Double Down to increase the stake, or Hit and request an additional card. The rules are consistent for table games and live casino titles . You can use a basic strategy chart or our ultimate how-to-play blackjack guide to master the game.
When to Hit in Blackjack?
One of the most dramatic moments at the blackjack table is requesting an additional card to improve the value of the current hand. Here are several scenarios when it's desirable to hit in blackjack:
If your hand's total value is from 5 up to 8, you cannot bust with extra cards, and with multiple 10-value cards in the deck, you can improve your hand.
Hit when you hold 11, and the croupier has an Ace.
Hit if your hand total is 10 and the dealer’s face-up card is a 10 or Ace.
Request an extra card if you have a 9 and the croupier shows a 2 or 7 through Ace.
When Should I Stand?
Continuing the round with the initial pair of cards is recommended if your hand totals 17, 18, 19, or 20. All previously mentioned values offer a good chance to win the hand. The biggest question in the debate, when to Stand, revolves around distinguishing between soft hands and hard hands.
A soft hand is any hand containing an Ace, which is malleable because the value of the Ace can alternate between 1 and 11 depending on which offers you more value. Opposite of that is a hard hand, where your hand doesn’t contain an Ace. Having the "soft" and "hard" concepts in mind, here are a few tips for standing in blackjack:
Stand on a "hard" 16 when the dealer shows any card from 2 up to 6.
Do not stand if the croupier holds a 2 and you have a "soft" 16.
Stand on a total of 12 when the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6.
When to Double Down or Split?
Double Down is a decision to double the original stake for the round after you receive the initial cards. The mandatory condition for doubling down is to receive an additional card. The most opportune moment to Double Down is on a total of 10 or 11.
On the other hand, splitting refers to creating two separate hands from the initial pair if both cards have an identical value, for example, two 5s. Pairs of Aces and 8s should always be Split. Never split a pair of 10s, which is already a strong hand. Do not split a pair with 4s or lower-value cards because the potential to get a stronger hand is low.
Common Blackjack Strategy Mistakes
Blackjack players use various blackjack betting strategies to gain an edge. The fact is no strategy in blackjack can influence the house edge . Learning the table rules for the specific game is the best formula to avoid common mistakes. Keep in mind that playing single-deck games or multi-deck games requires different approaches.
Common mistakes include:
Card counting is another pitfall, especially in RNG versions of blackjack. Learn why this is a poor strategy on our blog.
Hitting on a soft 17.
Standing on a low hand against a croupier's high upcard.
Quick Tips for Playing Blackjack
You can find a blackjack strategy chart with different guidelines. Here are a few useful blackjack basic tips for playing:
Define a betting budget for every session
Play with smaller stakes to more easily regulate your bankroll.
Use the Insurance bet when the dealer's face-up card is an Ace.
Best Blackjack Games on Stake Casino
There are numerous opportunities to play online blackjack or live dealer versions at Stake.com . Multiple gaming providers supply games, and some popular titles include:
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