Blackjack Hands
We know a 10 and ace is the best hand we can have in blackjack. You and the dealer can expect to get one in about every 20 hands or about 5% of the time (that is the math). Twenty is the second-best hand. That is why you shouldn’t split 10s; it’s a winning hand, just take the money. All hands dealt at the blackjack table can be classified as either a hard or soft hand. Understanding what the differences are between hand and soft blackjack hands, as well as how to play them correctly, is. Blackjack Hand Calculator Introduction. This calculator will show you the best return for a blackjack hand. Select the rules and cards, then click the Calculate button.
A pair of 4’s splits against dealer 5 and 6, otherwise hit. A pair of 3’s splits against dealer 2 through 7, otherwise hit. A pair of 2’s splits against dealer 2 through 7, otherwise hit. Soft totals: A soft total is any. Computer programmers have run millions of hands of blackjack through simulators to come up with the moves that have the highest expected value. A word about that: “Expected value” refers to how much a bet is worth. In some situations at the blackjack table, the expected value of a specific decision is positive.
Twenty-One, known as Blackjack is among the most widespread casino card games. Nowadays you it is almost impossible to find online casinos, which does not offer any blackjack variation.
The rules are relatively easy to learn but more importantly, blackjack is a beatable game, especially when one takes the time to at least master basic strategy. The latter is said to reduce the house edge, tilting the advantage in favor of the player. If interested to learn more about blackjack and the types of hands one can potentially get dealt in the game, we recommend you take a quick look at the following article.
Basic Rules of Play
Blackjack is a casino banking game in the sense of players are not competing against each other but against the table’s dealer. The number of players the game can accommodate ranges between one and seven.
At the start of the game, the dealer shuffles the cards and “burns” the top card by placing it at the very bottom of the deck. Then everyone at the table, dealer included, is dealt two cards that constitute their starting hands. In single and double-deck games, the cards of the players are dealt facing down.
This is not so in multiple-deck variations (these are rather common at casinos and involve anywhere between four and eight 52-card decks, placed in a “shoe”), where the players’ cards are dealt face up. The dealer, on the other hand, always receives one up card and one hole card that is facing down.
The game’s object is simple – the players aim at obtaining a hand’s total that exceeds the total of the dealer but without going over 21. Once everyone is dealt their two cards, the players are provided with several options. They can either hit (draw more cards from the deck or shoe) or stand (in which case they decline drawing additional cards). Depending on the rules of the game and their hand’s total, players can also choose to split pairs of numerically identical cards or double down by increasing the size of their initial bets. These two options include making side bets and will be discussed in further detail below.
In blackjack, the suits of the cards are practically irrelevant. Face cards, alongside the Ten, are all assigned a value of ten, while the Aces can be counted either as 1 or 11. The ranks of all remaining cards coincide with their face values.
If both the player and the dealer get the same hand total, they “push”. In other words, there is a tie, no one wins nor loses.
If the dealer shows an Ace as their up card, the player is offered Insurance just in case the dealer has a natural or blackjack, which consists of an Ace paired with a face card like King, Queen, Jack or a Ten. Blackjack is the strongest hand one can possibly obtain and as such, usually pays 3 to 2.
Basic Strategy Blackjack
In casinos, the dealers are put at a slight disadvantage as they are forced to play by fixed rules and are required to always draw to and then stand on certain hand values (all 17s, soft 17, soft 18 and so on). Please note the rules of the game may differ depending on the table and the gambling venue one is playing at.
Soft vs. Hard Hands
In blackjack, the Ace is one of the most important cards you can possibly get dealt. This is so because, when combined with any other card in a starting hand, it can be counted either as 1 or as 11, thus preventing players from going bust or exceeding 21 on the next hit.
We can generally distinguish between two types of hands in this game, namely soft and hard hands. Soft hands are those which contain an Ace that is counted as 11 without causing the player to go bust or exceed 21. The only exceptions to this rule are the naturals which contain an Ace with ten-value cards like Kings, Jacks, Queens or Tens.
If you are dealt a soft starting hand of an Ace and a 4, its value can be counted either as 5 or 15. This practically renders it impossible for the player to bust by drawing a third card, which is why soft hands are generally considered advantageous to players, unless, of course, their dealer also shows an Ace as their up card. However, if the third card the player draws has a value of 10, the soft hand automatically becomes a hard hand and the Ace is no longer counted as 11.
Logically, it follows that a hard hand is any hand that does not include an Ace. That is to say, a starting hard hand comprises of two cards that are ranked according to their face values. For instance, a [Q][6] and [7][9] both stand for a total of hard 16, which increases one’s chances of going bust by drawing a third card.
Stiff Hands
In blackjack, the term “a stiff hand” is used to refer to any starting hand than can potentially lead to a bust if the player hits. To be more precise, the total of a stiff starting hand is less than 17. Some of the most common hands that fall into this category are those, whose two cards add up to the values of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The only exceptions to this rule are the starting hands that actually constitute pairs of 6s, 7s, and 8s as these can be split and played separately.
In general terms, the two worst starting hands a player can possibly get add up to values of either 15 or 16. This can be explained by the fact there is a greater number of ten-value cards in a standard deck (16 to be more precise) that can potentially cause the player to bust should they hit and draw a third card.
Splitting Pairs
At many landbased casinos and in online blackjack variations, players are provided with the option to split pairs consisting of two cards that are numerically identical. Please note, that splitting actually involves a side bet, which is to say players need to contribute with an additional wager that is equal in size to their initial bet.
Once the pair is split, the two hands are played separately and one after the other as usual, with splitting Aces being the only exception.
In some cases, splitting a pair works to the advantage of the player, while in others, it can actually reduce one’s chances of winning, causing them to lose twice as much money. Here are a few basic rules to follow:
- Split pairs of Aces whenever the rules of the game allow. In this case, the player will receive only one additional card for each Ace. Note that if the rank of the second car is ten, the hand will not be counted as a natural or blackjack, which is to say the payout will not be 3 to 2. When Aces are split, the total of such hands is considered to be 21 which means they pay 1 to 1 or even money.
- A pair of 8s should always be split as well and the reason behind this is beyond simple. It was previously mentioned hard 16 is the single worst starting hand in the game of blackjack. Drawing a third card is likely to result in a bust for the player, but at the same time 16 is still not a good enough hand total. Yet, if you split your 8s, it would be impossible for you to bust on the very first hit and you will have an opportunity to potentially improve your two hands.
- If the rules at the table allow it, players should also re-split Aces and 8s, provided they are dealt yet another pair of those after splitting their starting hand. In most cases, players are allowed to split up to three times.
- Players are recommended to avoid splitting pairs of 10s or other ten-value cards as these already constitute good enough starting hands. Why ruin them?
- Splitting 4s and 5s is an equally bad idea as it often results in players actually reducing their chances of winning. Besides, it is not possible to bust with a third card on pairs of 4s and 5s, which renders splitting them nonsensical for recreational players.
Doubling Down
The term doubling down refers to players doubling the amount of their initial bets after which, they are entitled to receive only one more card from the dealer.
However, players must try and remember the reason why they are actually doubling down and no, it is not improving a starting hand. With a double down, players are actually aiming at increasing the amount of money they bet against the dealer when the latter is showing an up card that puts him/her at a disadvantage. Some of the basic rules include:
- Doubling down on starting hands that total hard 10 is recommended unless the dealer shows an Ace or a Ten.
- Players should double down if their starting hand adds up to a total of 11, the only exception being when the dealer’s up card is an Ace.
- When having a soft starting hand that ranges between 13 and 18 in total value, players are advised to double down provided that the dealer shows a 5 or a 6, which are usually the dealer’s bust cards in such situations.
Blackjack has many wonderful qualities. It’s a game where your decisions matter. It’s also a game where you can get an edge over the casino (if you know how to count cards).
Most of all, it’s just plain fun.
But blackjack is more fun when you’re winning more often.
Luckily, it’s a game where the mathematically correct way to play each hand has already been figured out. Computer programmers have run millions of hands of blackjack through simulators to come up with the moves that have the highest expected value.
A word about that:“Expected value” refers to how much a bet is worth. In some situations at the blackjack table, the expected value of a specific decision is positive. It might be more positive than other positive decisions.
In some other situations at the blackjack table, you must choose between the lesser of several evils. If you have a stiff hand, the best you can do is go with the decision that loses you the least amount of money in the long run.
As luck would have it, you only have a handful of totals to make decisions about. The highest possible total you can have without busting is 21. The lowest possible total with 2 cards is 4.
In the post below, I’ll look at each possible total and how it could occur. Then I’ll explain how to play that total based on which cards it’s made of and what the dealer has as her face-up card.
All these explanations are based on basic strategy.
A Total of 21
When you have a total of 21, you should always stand. It doesn’t matter what cards make up that total. It doesn’t matter what the dealer’s up-card is.
You always stand with 21. Any other choice costs money.
A Total of 20
You’ll always stand with a total of 20, too, no matter what the cards are. It also doesn’t matter what the dealer’s face-up card is.
The reasoning behind this is clear. There’s only one possible total the dealer could have which will beat a 20, which means you’ll win with it most of the time.
You might need to decide whether to split a hard total of 20. If you have 2 cards of the same rank, you can put up another bet and start 2 hands using the cards in your hand as the first card of the 2 subsequent hands.
It seems like this might not be a bad idea. After all, any hand with a 10 as its first card is probably going to turn out okay.
It’s a mistake, though. Most of the time, you’ll wind up with 2 hands that aren’t as strong as your total of 20. There are more cards in the deck that aren’t worth 10 or 11 than there are cards which are worth 10 or 11.
A Total of 19
You will ALMOST always stand on a total of 19, regardless of which cards make up the total.
But there’s one exception:
If you have a soft total of 19—an ace and an 8—you’ll double down. But only if the dealer has a 6 showing.
In some casinos, you’re not allowed to double down on a soft total of 19. If that’s the case, you’ll just stand.
On any other total of 19, though, you’ll stand. It’s such a strong hand that it will beat anything except a total of 20 or 21 from the dealer.
But even if you suspect that the dealer has one of those totals, your odds of winding up with a worse hand are too good for it to be a smart move to take another card.
The only reason you double down against a dealer’s face-up 6 is because the dealer is so likely to bust that it’s worth the risk.
A Total of 18
If you have a total of 18 that’s made up of two 9s, you must decide whether to split your hand or not. Most of the time, you will split your hand, but there are exceptions.
You’ll split a pair of 9s if the dealer has a 6 or less showing. You’ll also split 9s if the dealer has an 8 or 9.
If the dealer has a 7, 10, or ace showing, you’ll stand.
If you have a total of 18 that includes an ace that can be counted as 1 or 11, you have a “soft” 18. If the dealer has a 6 or lower showing, and if the casino allows it, you’ll double down on this hand.
If the casino doesn’t allow you to double down on a soft 18, you’ll stand instead.
If the dealer has a 7 or 8, you’ll stand on a soft 18.
If the dealer has a 9, 10, or ace showing, you’ll hit a soft 18.
Being able to count the ace as 1 or as 11 gives you some flexibility with how you play this hand. The combination of the possibility to improve your hand and the possibility that the dealer will bust results in the possible doubling down decisions.
Any other total of 18 will be a hard total, and you’ll always stand on a hard total of 18.
A Total of 17
If you have an ace that counts as 1 or 11, you have a soft total of 17. In that case, you should double down if the dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or 6 showing. If the dealer has any other card showing, you should hit this total.
Blackjack Hands Per Hour
If you don’t have an ace, or if counting the ace as an 11 would bust you, you have a hard total of 17. It’s easy what to decide to do with a hard 17:
Always stand.
A Total of 16
Once you get down to the total of 16 or less, you’re getting into “stiff hand” territory. A stiff hand is one which is likely to bust.
It doesn’t matter, though.
There’s still only one correct way to play each stiff hand, too.
The first kind of total of 16 you should think about is a pair of 8s. You should always split a pair of 8s. The reasoning behind this should make sense. You’re trading a mediocre hand for 2 hands which are likely to improve. More cards in the deck will improve an 8 than will hurt it. Any ace, 10, or 9 will give you a better total than 16. (And there are 16 cards worth 10 in the deck, so that’s almost half the deck in total.)
The second kind of total of 16 to worry about is a soft 16. Again, this is a total where the ace can count as 1 or 11. You will NEVER stand on a soft 16.
You’ll double down on a soft 16 if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 showing. If the dealer has any other card showing, you’ll fold.
Finally, you need to know what to do with any other hard total of 16. You’ll stand if the dealer has a 6 or less showing. You’ll hit if the dealer has a 7 or higher showing.
If the dealer has a 6 or less showing, you’re hoping she’ll bust. Otherwise, you’re hoping to improve your hand so that you have a fighting chance.
A Total of 15
A soft total of 15 is easy to play. You’ll play it just like you would a soft total of 16, in fact. You’ll double down if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 showing. Otherwise, you’ll hit.
A hard total of 15 isn’t hard to play, either, although it’s a bummer of a hand. Again, you’ll play a hard 15 just like you would a hard 16. Hit if the dealer has a 7 or higher. Otherwise stand.
A Total of 14
If you have a pair of 7s, you need to decide whether to split. You will split if the dealer has a 7 or lower showing. If you don’t split, you’ll treat the hand as any other hard 14.
If you have a soft 14, you will never stand. You’ll double down if the dealer has a 5 or 6 showing. Otherwise, you’ll hit.
If you have a hard 14, you’ll play it just like a hard 15 or 16. Stand if the dealer has a 6 or less showing. Hit if the dealer has a 7 or higher showing.
A Total of 13
A soft total of 13 is played just like a soft 14. You’ll double down if the dealer has a 5 or 6. Otherwise, you’ll hit.
A hard total of 13 is played just like a hard 14, 15, or 16. Stand if the dealer has a 6 or less. Otherwise, hit.
A Total of 12
The first kind of 12 total to worry about is a pair of 6s. (You always consider whether to split first.) You should double down if the dealer has a 6 or lower showing. If not, you’ll treat the hand just like you would any other hard total of 12.
Next, you’ll think about a soft total of 12. This could mean you have a pair of aces. In that case, you always split. (Just remember—always split aces and 8s.)
There’s no other way to get a soft total of 12, so you’re left with the possibility of a hard 12. If that’s what you have, you stand against a dealer 4, 5, or 6. Otherwise, you hit.
A Total of 11
If you have an ace and a 10, you COULD consider that a soft total of 11. But really, you have a blackjack. Just accept your winning with grace.
On any other total of 11, you’ll double down. That’s an easy decision, because you have lots of cards which will increase your total to 21. There’s no real downside to doubling down on an 11, because it’s impossible to bust such a hand.
A Total of 10
You never split 5s. They’re always treated as a hard total of 10.
If you have a soft total of 10, you really have a soft total of 20, and I’ve already covered that. (Think about it.)
With a hard 10, which is really the only way you’ll ever have a total of 10, you’ll almost always double down. The only time you won’t double down is if the dealer has an ace or 10 showing. In that case, you’ll just stand. (You don’t want to put extra money into play because of the increased likelihood that the dealer will have a 21.)
A Total of 9
Blackjack Hands Chart
A hard 9 is played ALMOST exactly like a hard 10. You should double down if the dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or 6. Otherwise, hit.
A Total of 8
You never split a pair of 4s. (In fact, you can remember this rule—never spit 4s, 5s, or 10s.)
In fact, there’s only ONE way to correctly play a hard total of 8. Always hit.
A Total of 7
Always hit a hard total of 7.
A Total of 6
If you have a pair of 3s, split if the dealer has a 7 or lower showing. Otherwise, just hit.
If you have any other hard total of 6, just hit the hand.
A Total of 5
Always hit a hard total of 5.
A Total of 4
If you have a pair of deuces, play it just like a pair of 3s. Split if the dealer has a 7 or lower showing. Otherwise, just hit.
Conclusion
That’s it.
You only have 18 possible starting totals in blackjack. Once you’ve learned how to play each of those totals correctly, you’ve mastered basic strategy.
Why is that a good thing to do?
Blackjack Hands Cheat Sheet
If you’ve mastered basic strategy, the house edge for most blackjack games is between 0.5% and 1%, making it one of the best games in the casino.
If you misplay these hands, the house edge goes up. Most players are bad at basic strategy, by the way. If you look at the casino’s numbers, the average blackjack player is so bad that he’s facing a house edge of between 4% and 5%.
With those kinds of numbers, you might as well play craps or roulette. You don’t have to make any playing decisions with those games.
memorize basic strategy in this way.