Sticking To Basic Strategy In Blackjack Guarantees Success

There is no hard and fast rule to success. Some strategies work and some fail. And, the failed strategy forms the basis for a better strategy that has a greater potential for success. However, in Blackjack, some strategies seldom fail. You can rely on these strategies to keep winning consistently, day in and day out.

While playing Blackjack, depending on luck can prove disastrous. Blackjack demands sound strategy and you need to stick to your basics. Hunches and instincts can help you at times and can be quite rewarding, however they don’t promise long term success. If you are serious about the game, you need to follow a basic strategy that has been developed through computer simulations and constantly refined to suit evolving game plays.

Unlike other mentally formulated strategies, basic blackjack strategy is based solely upon unquestionable figures of mathematics, and hence, it is constant. The formula is derived from probabilities. It will help players to minimize the house edge, sometimes even to less than half a percent, if followed meticulously. However, it cannot be denied that there has to be subtle variations in the strategy due to variations of rules at different casinos. For example, in some casinos you can double-down after splitting, while at others it is not possible.

The basic blackjack strategy involves remembering all the unique situations arising once you have been dealt two cards and have seen the dealer's up-card. Standard charts that are available in many casino websites display correct decision-making approaches for different scenarios.

Basic blackjack strategy is like a thumb rule. When you follow the rules defined in the strategy, you can invariably maximize your winning chances. Since it follows a logical and mathematical approach, the possibility of the strategy failing is almost zero. This is one of the reasons why blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. Unlike roulette and slots, where you depend on chance, blackjack relies on sound logic and mathematical reasoning to ensure a victory.

The first and foremost lesson you learn in a basic blackjack strategy is differentiating between hard hands, soft hands, and pairs. When you have an Ace, you hold a soft hand. The Ace counts as either 1 or 11 and hence, you can have two different totals. A hard hand doesn’t have an Ace. A pair, as the name suggest, is two of the same number.

When you have a soft hand, and if it is A-2 or A-3, double down in case the dealer has 5 or 6, otherwise hit. A few other situations are A-4 or A-5, where you have to follow the same strategy if the dealer has 4 to 6; A-6, where you should double down if the dealer has 3 through 6; A-7, where you double down if the dealer has 3 through 6, and stand on 2, 7 or 8; and finally, A-8 or A-9, where you have to always stand.

In case of hard hands, hit always when you have 8 or less. When you have a 9, you must double down if the dealer has 3 through 6, otherwise hit. When your hand is 10, double down if the dealer has 2 through 9 otherwise hit. When you have 11 and if the dealer has 2 through10 – double down and hit otherwise. When you have 13 to 16, stand in case the dealer has 2 through 6, otherwise hit. And always stand when you have 17 to 21.

In case of splitting pairs, when you have 8s or Aces, always split. If it is 2-2 or 3-3, split if the dealer has 2 through 7, otherwise hit. If your hand is 4-4, split if the dealer has 4 or 5. Hit otherwise. If it is 5-5, double down if the dealer has 2 through 9, otherwise hit. For 6s or 7s split if the dealer has 2 through 6 or 2 through 7 respectively. Otherwise, you must hit. If it is 9-9, split if the dealer has 2 to 6, 8 or 9. For others, stand. Always stand when you have 10-10.

From what you have learnt above, you must be able to take huge strides in the game, provided you follow the basic strategy to a T. Another great game I like to play is UK Online Bingo it's fun as well as profitable.