Mathematicians and blackjack experts have used computer
simulations and statistical analyses to try to find a way to
beat the house at blackjack. Through their studies, they have
determined a basic blackjack strategy that gives the player the
best odds against the house.
This basic blackjack strategy
helps the player make decisions about when to hit and when to
stand. By playing this basic blackjack strategy, the player can
play on nearly even terms with the house. This basic blackjack
strategy is the starting point for more-advanced card-counting
strategies professional blackjack players use to gain an
advantage on the house.
Basic blackjack strategy
Below is the basic blackjack
strategy for the typical rules found at online casinos. While
you can't beat the house in the long term using this blackjack
strategy alone, it does reduce the house's advantage
considerably. You may want to print a copy of the blackjack
strategy for reference.
Your Hand |
Dealer's Up Card |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
5,6,7,8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
9 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
11 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
12 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
13,14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
15,16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
17,18,19,20 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
Soft
13,14 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Soft 15,16 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Soft 17 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
Soft 18 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
Soft 19,20 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
A-A |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
2-2,3-3 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
4-4 |
H |
H |
H |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
5-5 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
6-6 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
7-7 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
8-8 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
9-9 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
S |
SP |
SP |
S |
S |
10-10 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double down, SP=Split
Card counting systems
A number of blackjack players
have enjoyed success at beating the house by using card-counting
systems. Card-counting systems are based on the principle that
the make-up of a deck of cards changes as cards are played.
Analysis has shown that a deck is in the player's favor when it
has more ten-count cards in it. The reason the deck favors the
player is because the player has a better chance of getting
blackjack which pays 3 to 2, more money than an average win.
By assigning a simple value
such as +1 for high cards and -1 for low cards, a card counter
can roughly determine the ratio of high cards to low cards
remaining in the deck at anytime during play. When the deck
contains more high cards and the odds are in his favor, he
increases the amount he bets so he can win more. When the deck
isn't favorable, he bets the minimum so he loses less. The count
also affects his decisions on when to hit, stand, double and
split.
If you want to learn more about
card counting, I recommend The World's Greatest Blackjack
Book by Lance Humble and Million Dollar Blackjack by
Ken Uston. I'm sure you can order them at Amazon.com.
Note that virtually all online
casinos shuffle the cards after each round. This prevents
players from using their computer to keep a count, and get an
edge on the house. At online casinos, your best bet is to stick
with basic blackjack strategy.