The Basic Strategies in Blackjack

Many players are drawn to blackjack because it is not a gambling game based on pure luck. Winning in blackjack not only depends on luck but also on the player's observation, skill and strategy. When you are new to playing blackjack, employing these strategies will help you reduce the house advantage and increase the chances of your bets to win.

Your blackjack strategy has to depend on the cards that you have on your hand and the dealer's card that is revealed. This may also depend on the number of decks being used.

Let us start on the hard totals in blackjack. What this means is that you don't have an ace card or the sum of your cards includes an ace with a value of one.

In blackjack, when the sum of your cards is from seventeen to twenty, regardless of the dealer's face up card, it is best to choose to stand.

If the sum of your cards is a sixteen, and the blackjack dealer's face up card is from two to six, it is a good option to stand. If the dealer's card is a seven or eight, choose to hit. If the dealer's card is a nine, ten or an ace, choose to surrender, if that's an option. If it isn't, choose to hit.

If the sum of your cards is a fifteen, stand when the blackjack dealer's face up card is from two to six. Otherwise, hit except when the blackjack dealer's card is a ten, in which you may take the surrender option or hit.

In blackjack, if the sum of your cards is either thirteen or fourteen, stand when the dealer's card is from two to six. Other wise, it is best that you hit. The same is true when the sum of your cards is twelve, except if the dealer got a two or three. In that situation, it is best to hit.

If your blackjack hand has a sum of ten or eleven, if doubling is allowed, do it. If not, just hit.

If the sum of your cards is a nine, it is best to hit. If the blackjack dealer got a three to six, you may opt to double your bet first.

In playing blackjack, if the sum of your cards is from five to eight, you should hit.

These are the basic strategies that experts use to win while playing blackjack with a hard hand. The strategies will be different if you got a soft total.