Basic Blackjack Chart Strategy Explained

Blackjack makes use of a variety of different tricks and strategies in order to better assist the player in their pursuit of improving the odds of winning in their favour, and by extension then, overcoming the high margin that the casino enjoys. As helpful and potent an ally the strategy chart can be and indeed is, there is simply no guarantee that it can be competently applied to ALL online blackjack games.

In addition the strategies relied upon will also need to vary according to the nature of the game, and more specifically, the number of cards being used.

Strategy charts are the ideal way for a player to be able to reduce the edge that the casino enjoys and this is applicable both in an online casino as well as a physical one. The reason for this is that the typical strategy chart will help the player as to best way forward in regards to the first two cards that they currently have in their possession.

The reason that the casino has a competitive edge over the player is due to the fact that in all rounds, it is the player who must make the first move and this is a fundamental rule applied in all situations without exception.

To many novice players, the blackjack strategy chart remains nothing more than an abstract, intangible idea simply by virtue of the initial learning curve associated with the chart which is by itself, enough to deter most prospective students.  However, if you are genuinely interested in achieving results, and are not entirely sure as to the best way to do all of this then you need to make sure that you rely on websites which have the information presented in an easily understandable manner.

Playing online blackjack is an excellent way to get a crash course in the manner in which these strategies are commonly implemented and used, and in addition, the player can also refer to their own strategy guide in order to then begin the learning process. In short, the longer that the player is willing and able to play then the better the chances of them getting to grips with the various issues required.

The following is a succinct breakdown of the manner in which a strategy chart is used and so the rules identified can then be applied in a more streamlined manner to provide the player with that much needed advantage over the dealer.

If the value of the player’s hand is equal to, or less than 8, they should hit.

If the value of the player’s hand is equal to 9 then they should double if the dealer has a hand of 3-6. In all other instances, the player should hit.

If the value of the player’s hand is ten then they should double if the dealer has a hand of 2-9. If the dealer has an Ace, the player should hit.

If the value of the player’s hand is eleven then the player should double if the dealer has a hand of 2-10. If the dealer has an Ace, the player should hit.

If the value of the player’s hand is twelve  then the player should hit if the dealer has a hand of 2 or 3. If the dealer has a hand of 4-6 then the player should stand. In all other cases, the player should hit.

If the value of the player’s hand is 13-16 then the player should stand if the dealer has a hand of 2-6. In all other cases the player should hit.

If the player has 17-21 then they should always stand.

The following is an overview of the strategies to rely upon in the event that the player has an Ace as one of their starting cards.

If the player has an Ace and a 2 or 3 then they should double if the dealer has a hand of 5 or 6. In all other cases the player should hit.

If the player has an Ace and 4 or 5 then they should double if the dealer 4,5,6. In all other cases, the player should hit.

If the player has an Ace and 6 then they should double if the value of the dealer’s hand is 3-6. In all other cases, they should then hit.

If the player has an Ace and 7 then they should stand only if the dealer has either a 2, a 7 or an 8. The player should double if the dealer has a 3-6. In all other cases they should hit.

If the player has an Ace and either 8 or 8 then they must always stand.

If you are playing with pairs

If the player has a pair of Aces or 8s then then they should always split.

If the player has a pair of twos or threes then they should only split in the event that the dealer has 2-7. In all other cases, the player should hit.

If the player has a pair of fours then they should split if the dealer has either a 5 or a 6. In all other cases, the player should hit.

If the player has a pair of fives then they should split if the dealer has 2-9. In all other cases the player should hit.

If the player has a pair of sixes then they should split if the dealer has 2-6. In all other cases, the player should hit.

If the player has a pair of sevens then they should split if the dealer has 2-7. In all other cases the player should hit.

If the player has a pair of nines then they should split if the dealer has 2-6, a  8, or 9. If the dealer happens to have either a 7,10 or an Ace then the player should stand.
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