By Paul H.
Things aren’t always cut and dry when it comes to blackjack, especially if you’re a newbie. The last thing you want is to use a bad blackjack–strategy, and this goes whether you’re 21 years in or a rookie trying to get your feet wet in the game.
Stats show more than half of blackjack players would rather take an insurance bet when a dealer flashes an Ace. Should you always assume the dealer has a ten in the hole or hit soft 18? Martingale, anyone?
We have mettle-tested hundreds of blackjack strategies, and these 10 are still up to scratch.
Always hit soft 18 on the dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace
You’d be forgiven for thinking you should always stand on 18. But that trick works best if you hold a hard 18. A soft 18 (aka A-7) gives you a bit of leeway to hit, especially on the dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace, and math backs this up, too. You can’t bust a soft 18, but don’t stand pat and hope the dealer will bust.
It pays to double down on a hard 11
This one is as close to a no-brainer as you’ll get in blackjack. When you’re sitting on a hard 11, you’re in prime position to score big. The next card can’t bust you, and you’ve got a square shot at landing on 21 or close to it.
Here, it certainly pays to double down when the odds sit pretty in your favor. Even a dealer’s 19 or 20 isn’t enough to stack up a hard 11.
A pair of 8s or Aces is ready-made for splitting
A pair of 8s tallies up to 16, pretty much the worst hand you can have in front of you. Your safest bet is to split them and mold a bad hand into two that couldn’t be any worse (unless you land another 8!). Aces are even more clear-cut. Splitting them gives a double chance of landing a 21 or two.
Always surrender hard 16 on dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace (and hard 15 on dealer’s 10)
There’s a reason Surrender is there, though it gets a bad rap. Odds are pretty much stacked against you on a hard 16 with the dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace. Taking back half your bet beats losing the whole thing. The same goes for a hard 15 on the dealer’s 10.
Always double down A-2 through A-7 on the dealer’s 5 or 6
If there’s one dealer’s upcard that should make you smile, that’d be a 5 or 6. More often than not, the dealer will bust. That’s why it makes sense to double down here, especially if you have A-2 through A-7.
For one, you’re pushing more money on the table at the dealer’s weakest. Even if you pull a flimsy card, your Ace is your lifeline until the dealer busts.
Never split a pair of 5s or tens
Two 5s add up to 10, which is a nice place to start doubling down. If you split a pair of 5s, you’re only putting together two mediocre hands. Each 5 on its own is a weak builder card. Keep them together and double down instead.
You are committing a big sin if you split 10s. After all, they tally up to 20, and that’s the second prettiest hand you can hold. Why would you break it down into two unpredictable hands?
Always hit a hard 12 on the dealer’s 2 or 3
Standing on 12 feels safe because any card 10 or higher busts you. But when the dealer shows a 2 or 3, standing is actually the riskier move. The dealer is likely to make a hand, and your 12 won’t beat much.
The numbers say hitting is the better play. You might bust, but you are more likely to tally up to a good hand. The dealer’s 2 or 3 doesn’t give them as much chance of busting as you might think. Play the odds and take that hit.
Never play a 6 to 5 blackjack game
Standard blackjack pays 3 to 2 when you hit 21. That means a $10 bet wins you $15. Some casinos offer 6 to 5 blackjack instead, paying just $12 on that same $10 bet. This might not sound like much, but it’s a huge difference.
That payout change alone bumps the house edge up by about 1.4%. In a game where proper strategy can get the house edge below 1%, giving back an extra 1.4% is like playing with one hand tied behind your back.
Always double down on 10 with the dealer’s 9 or under
A hard 10 is another sweet spot for doubling down. You can’t bust on the next card, with a great chance of landing on 20. When the dealer’s showing 9 or less, they’re not in a strong enough position to make you think twice. This play gets more money on the table when you’re favored to win.
Skip the insurance bet
We must say there’s a ton to like about blackjack. As with most high-paying USA casino games like Deuces Wild Poker, the banker bet with baccarat, and the pass line on craps, using the perfect basic strategy can push blackjack’s RTP upwards of 99.8%.
If there’s one thing that puts blackjack right up there, it’d be that you can somewhat see what’s coming. If you luck out on a 21, that’s good and dandy. If the dealer flashes an Ace, you might be cooked, and that’s where the insurance bet comes crawling.
However, you should never take an insurance bet. Even if you hold a 20 or 19, the 2:1 payout promise doesn’t live up to the actual odds of the dealer hitting a blackjack. That’s why they call this a ‘sucker’ bet.
IMAGE CREDIT: Microsoft AI Copilot