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The most important thing to know about blackjack is the basic strategy.
This strategy is simply the best way to play every possible situation,
without any knowledge of the distribution of the rest of the cards in
the deck. At the top of the page is the basic strategy for four or more
decks when the dealer hits on soft 17, which is the most common game.
Below are links to more basic strategy charts for other rules. If you
only memorize one table I would suggest the one above. It can be played
effectively under any rules.
To
use the basic strategy look up your hand along the left vertical edge
and the dealer's up card along the top. In both cases an A stands for
ace. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and split table
hands. Rule variations can have an effect on some borderline situations.
The most flexible rules are the number of decks, whether the dealer hits
or stands on a soft 17, and whether doubling is allowed after splitting.
Some
obvious situations have been left out to keep the chart as small as possible.
The best way is to memorize the basic strategy is notice patterns and
to try to understand why you should play every situation as the chart
says. Then make flash cards and go over and over them until you know it
cold. Do not deal out cards to yourself because the soft totals and the
pairs will not occur often enough to test your knowledge.
Many
people do not believe in the basic strategy because they once took the
advice of someone who knew it and then lost the hand. You will not win
every hand with the basic strategy! In fact, you won't even win half your
hands. However, while you will have short term ups and downs, over the
long run you will roughly break even using it.
In
the event the dealer has an ace as the up card he will allow the players
to insure their hands against a blackjack. This is much like any insurance
policy in which you are betting something bad will happen. The insurance
bet in blackjack pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer
has an ace showing and a player has a blackjack the dealer may ask "even
money?" This is because if the player has a blackjack the net result
of both the blackjack and the insurance bet will be an even money win
regardless of whether the dealer has a blackjack. After all players have
had a chance to accept or decline insurance the dealer will check the
hole card.
After
it has been established that the dealer does not have a blackjack the
players in turn may play their hands. The following options are available.
Stand:
If the player is satisfied with his hand as-is he may stand pat. To signify
you wish to stand, wave your hand as if to wave the dealer away. In a
single deck game, tuck your cards face down under your bet.
Hit:
If the player wishes to take another card he may continue to do so until
he either stands or busts. To signify you wish to hit, tap the table with
your finger. In a single deck game, scrape your cards lightly against
the felt.
Double:
If the player feels he needs one and only one more card then he may double
his bet and be dealt one more card, good or bad. This option is only offered
on the first two cards, and sometimes on the first two cards after splitting.
To signify you wish to double, place another wager next to your original
wager of equal value. In single deck, place your cards face up by your
bet.
Split:
If the player's first two cards are of equal point value he may split
them into two hands. In this event each card is the first card of a new
hand. The player must also make another wager, of equal value to the first
wager, for the second hand. Splitting after splitting is allowed; however,
re-splitting aces is often an exception. The player may usually split
up to 2 or 3 times if another splitting opportunity arises. Doubling after
splitting is usually but not always allowed. To signify you wish to split
put the additional wager next to the original wager. In single deck, place
your cards face up by your bet.
Surrender:
Finally, some casinos offer the player the option to surrender on the
first two cards. If the player does not like his prospects he may forfeit
half the bet as well as his cards. If the dealer has a ten or ace showing,
and the dealer peeks at his hole card for a blackjack before the first
player's turn, then the option is called "late surrender." If
the dealer does not check for blackjack, or does not take a hole card
at all, then the option is called "early surrender." Early surrender
is much better for the player, because of the protection against a dealer
blackjack.
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Also: Beginners Guide | Casino
Dictonary | Casino Winning Systems
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