When it comes to blackjack hands, there are a few general rules of thumb that you should always follow. They may not seem evident when you’re new or inexperienced, but they are essential. Here are a few of these basic rules:
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Pair of 10s
In both live and online blackjack, the most common advice for a pair of 10s is to split them. It increases the chances of both hands resulting in blackjack, allowing you to get more money out of the situation. Of course, there are exceptions, as with all strategies; if the dealer has an Ace up, it may be wise to stand on your 20.
However, that so-called exception is becoming more popular, as more and more pros and game theorists say it often pays off to stand on 20 when you play blackjack. It’s a matter of considering the dealer’s bust potential and knowing they will probably have to draw at least one more card to improve their hand.
Pair of 9s and 8s
A pair of 9s is tricky. You should split them in some cases and stand on 18 in others. Generally speaking, if the dealer has a 6 or lower up card, it is wise to split to increase your chances of getting two hands with winning totals. However, if the dealer has an Ace up or a 7 through 10 showing, it is usually better to stand on 18.
A pair of 8s is another tricky hand to play because the correct move will depend on the dealer’s up card. Generally speaking, if the dealer has a 6 or lower up card, you should split your 8s. Doing so allows you to hit two strong hands of 16, often resulting in a win. However, if the dealer has an Ace up or cards 7 through 10 showing, it is usually better to stand on your 16.
Pair of 7s
A pair of 7s is typically split to increase your chances of hitting two winning totals. Unlike pairs of 8-10s, where you may choose to stand depending on the dealer’s up card, 7s should almost always be split to increase your chances of hitting two winning totals.
It’s done because it takes a particular set of circumstances for standing on a pair of 7s to pay off. For example, if the dealer has an Ace up or cards 7 through 10 showing, it may be better to stand than split to protect your 14. However, this is rarely the case, so splitting your 7s should usually be done to get two strong hands of 14.
Pair of 4s
In any blackjack game, a pair of 4s is almost always split. Doing so allows you to hit two hands with 8, often enough for a win against weaker dealer-up cards.
Of course, there are exceptions, as with all strategies; if the dealer has an Ace up or cards 7 through 10 showing, it may be wise to stand on your 8 to protect it from drawing a bust card. However, this is often not the case, so splitting your 4s should usually be done to get two strong hands of 8.
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Soft Hands
A soft hand is a hand that contains an Ace, which is counted as either 1 or 11. It gives you more flexibility when hitting strong totals and avoiding busts. Soft hands should almost always be hit to increase your chances of getting a winning total. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
For example, if you have a soft 16 (A-5) and the dealer has an Ace up or cards 7 through 10 showing, it may be better to stand instead of hit. It’s because hitting could result in a bust, and standing on 16 gives you a chance to win even if the dealer also has a strong hand.
Soft hands that are frequently seen include A-2, A-3, and A-4. With these hands, it is generally best to hit to increase your chances of hitting a strong total. However, with a soft 13 (A-2) or 14 (A-3), you should be slightly more cautious when hitting due to the risk of busting. With a soft 15 (A-4), you are usually better off hitting, but you should still be aware of the risk of exceeding 21.
Hard Hands
Hard hands are hands that do not contain an Ace. Since the value of any hard hand is fixed, there is no risk of busting if you hit it. As a result, hard hands should almost always be hit to increase your chances of achieving a winning total.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have a hard 17 (10-7) and the dealer has an Ace up or cards 7 through 10 showing, it may be better to stand on your hand instead of hit due to the risk of busting. Additionally, if you have a hard 12 (9-3) and the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6-up card, it may be better to stand on your hand instead of hit to protect it from drawing a bust card.
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Face Cards
Face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are also considered hard hands due to their fixed value. However, due to their value (10 in all cases), they should generally be hit to increase your chances of hitting a strong total.
Of course, there are exceptions; for example, if you have a face card and the dealer has an Ace up or cards 7 through 10 showing, it may be better to stand on your total to protect it from drawing a bust card. Also, like with hard hands, standing on your hand instead of hitting if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 up card to protect it from drawing a bust card.
Play The Hands You’re Dealt Right
In conclusion, the best way to play any hand of blackjack is to understand when and why specific strategies should be employed. While many hands can be played the same way every time, there are some situations where it is better to vary your approach to increase your chances of achieving a winning total.
By being aware of these scenarios and making informed decisions, you can maximize your chances of success when playing blackjack, one of the world’s most exciting casino games. Good luck!
