Blackjack Strategy - The Simplified Online Blackjack Strategy

The Simple Strategy for Blackjack is about simplification. And we all know the simple things are the best things in life. With simple strategy there is no need to consider surrendering, and the act of splitting and doubling down are greatly simplified. How about that! Actions are based on whether you're dealt a pair, soft hand or hard hand. Let's start with pairs.

If your initial hand is a Pair, go by the following rules:

Never split 4's, 5's and 10's. Since ten-value cards are the most likely to be drawn, card totals of 8 and 10 have better chances of winning. A card total of 20 is practically a shoe-in.

Always Split Pairs of Aces and 8's (If one or both of the split hands is made into another pair, split these hands as well) Keep in mind that Split Aces are only allowed one additional card. The reason for splitting these hands are that pairs of 8's and Aces have horrible odds of winning.

Split 2's, 3's, 6's, 7's and 9's when the dealer shows a 2,3,4,5,6 or 7

If your initial hand is a Soft Hand (Ace counting as an eleven), go by the following rules:

Always Hit hands of Ace/2, Ace/3, Ace/4, Ace/5 and Ace/6. It is impossible for these to bust with an additional card and are not good hands by themselves.

Always Stand on hands of Ace/7, Ace/8 and Ace/9, Ace/10. All of these hands have very good odds of winning, while the Ace/10 is a Natural 21 and can't be acted on regardless.

If your initial hand is a Hard Hand (a hand with no Ace, or after hitting, a hand with an Ace counting as one), go by the following rules:

Always Hit on Hard Hand totals of eleven or less. For card totals of 10 or 11, always Double Down. All of these hands cannot bust with a hit. Based on the value of the hand after the hit, act according to the following rules governing that card total.

Always Stand on Hard Hand totals of 17,18,19,20,21 - You have no choice on 21 and you'd be a dummy to hit any of the others.

Here is where you have to pay a little more attention:

If dealt a Hard Hand total of 12,13,14,15, or 16 go by the following rules:

Always Hit if the dealer's upcard is a 7 or higher.  It is only advantageous to Stand when the dealer's upcard is a 6 or less (the dealer has a good chance of busting).

Online Casino Strategy Archive

October '07 | November 2007