Mathematicians and blackjack experts have
used computer simulations and statistical analyses to try
to find a way to beat the house at blackjack. Through their
studies, they have determined a basic strategy that gives
the player the best odds against the house.
This basic strategy helps the player make decisions about
when to hit and when to stand. By playing this basic strategy,
the player can play on nearly even terms with the house.
This basic strategy is the starting point for more-advanced
card-counting strategies professional blackjack players
use to gain an advantage on the house.
Basic strategy
Below is the basic blackjack strategy for the typical rules
found at online casinos. While you can't beat the house
in the long term using this strategy alone, it does reduce
the house's advantage considerably.
Your Hand Dealer's Up Card
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A
5,6,7,8 H H H H H H H H H H
9 H D D D D H H H H H
10 D D D D D D D D H H
11 D D D D D D D D D H
12 H H S S S H H H H H
13,14 S S S S S H H H H H
15,16 S S S S S H H H H H
17,18,19,20 S S S S S S S S S S
Soft 13,14 H H H D D H H H H H
Soft 15,16 H H D D D H H H H H
Soft 17 H D D D D H H H H H
Soft 18 S D D D D S S H H H
Soft 19,20 S S S S S S S S S S
A-A SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
2-2,3-3 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H
4-4 H H H SP SP H H H H H
5-5 D D D D D D D D H H
6-6 SP SP SP SP SP H H H H H
7-7 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H
8-8 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
9-9 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP S S
10-10 S S S S S S S S S S
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double down, SP=Split
Card counting systems
A number of blackjack players have enjoyed success at beating
the house by using card-counting systems. Card-counting systems
are based on the principle that the make-up of a deck of cards
changes as cards are played. Analysis has shown that a deck
is in the player's favor when it has more ten-count cards
in it. The reason the deck favors the player is because the
player has a better chance of getting blackjack which pays
3 to 2, more money than an average win.
By assigning a simple value such as +1 for high cards and
-1 for low cards, a card counter can roughly determine the
ratio of high cards to low cards remaining in the deck at
anytime during play. When the deck contains more high cards
and the odds are in his favor, he increases the amount he
bets so he can win more. When the deck isn't favorable, he
bets the minimum so he loses less. The count also affects
his decisions on when to hit, stand, double and split. |
