The Basics of Blackjack Strategy

blackjack

If you have two equal cards, such as two Aces, you can split them into two hands. This is advantageous if you want to get as close to 21 as possible. Even playing two 4’s together isn’t likely to lead to a Bust. Instead, it will give you a decent hand of 19.

Basic strategy in blackjack

The most basic strategy in blackjack is to stay out of unfavorable positions. By doing this, players will sacrifice only half of their initial wager, thus minimizing their long-term losses. The basic strategy of blackjack only recommends surrendering when the dealer’s cards are valued at 10 or above. In addition, the player will reduce the initial stake back to its original amount when they win. But before you start playing, it’s vital to know how to spot an unfavorable hand.

House edge in blackjack

The house edge in blackjack is about 2%, which is a pretty large number, but you can cut this number in half by using good blackjack strategy. By knowing when to split, double down, and stand, you can reduce the house edge to just 0.5%. This method isn’t for beginners, though. If you follow basic blackjack strategy, you should be able to catch up in no time. However, the house edge is still a factor in this game.

Common side bets

When playing blackjack, players may place a few side bets to increase their odds of winning. A common side bet is the Perfect Pairs bet, which pays out if the first two cards a player is dealt are a pair of the same value or color. The other side bet is called the Colored Pairs bet, which pays out if the first two cards are the same suit or color as the dealer’s face-up card.

Splitting Aces

If you are looking for information on the strategy of Splitting Aces in blackjack, you have come to the right place. You can read the basics of blackjack strategy here. This basic blackjack strategy says that you should split aces with eights. However, it isn’t always the right strategy, especially if the dealer has a power card. In such a case, you should always wait until the dealer has busted before you split aces.

Double down

The rules of double down on blackjack are straightforward, and are the same at most casinos and blackjack variations. Most players have the opportunity to double down after receiving their first two cards. To double down, players place a bet next to their original one, and are given an additional card for the cost of the double down bet, which is equal to the original bet size. Players can also tell the dealer to double down by pushing a stack of chips on top of their current bet.

Hitting on a soft 17 in blackjack

If you have the blackjack strategy known as “soft 17,” you may want to try hitting on a soft seventeen. This hand can yield a profit of about 36.4 cents per dollar of original wager if you double down. But if you’re not sure whether to double down, or stand, here are some facts. Hitting on a soft 17 is usually the weakest play, and many players don’t even attempt it.