Blackjack Strategy: Playing with Hard and Soft Hands

When it comes to blackjack, there are several strategies players can put into use to not only make their gaming experience a better one, but also to increase the likelihood of winning. Many casinos online host different rules from one another on blackjack games. However, there is a main strategy chart players can consult that will reduce the house edge to the minimum. What this does in the process is increase those opportunities to win. Just like how different casinos offer different rules to their blackjack games, many blackjack strategies will vary depending on if it is a single-deck game or a multi-deck game. The popular choice is the multi-deck option at most online casinos.

From land based casinos to online casinos, players can normally try out a strategy chart to lighten the house edge. Not only can a strategy chart help increase winnings, but it also serves, as a guide to show players what first two cards should be played. Of course, this all can ride on what face-up cards the dealer holds in their hand. Basically the house edge makes it mandatory for players to act first. If a player consults the chart to begin with, it can aid them in making a smarter decision towards reducing that edge.

However, problems can arise when players first try and read a blackjack strategy chart. They are often times complicated and not always the easiest to understand. In today’s world though, players have a wealth of sites at their fingertips that break down the charts into an easy language, allowing new players and those old blackjack players looking to brush up on the game resources to turn to.
A great way for players to get used to those strategies is obviously to start playing and putting them into use. The more and more a player plays blackjack, the more likely it will be that they will not need to consult those strategies every single time. The nice aspect to online casinos is that players can consult their strategies during gameplay whereas an actual casino would not allow a strategy chart at the table.
After all this talk about blackjack, players may be anxious to get playing. Below, players will find just how a strategy chart can be broken down. These rules can be put into place at anytime when playing online, which will hopefully give gamers that upper hand against the dealer.

How to play those hard hands (When the two beginning cards that do not have an Ace)

If a player has 8 or less, they should always hit.

If a player has 9, they should double if the dealer possesses 3 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has 10, they should double if the dealer holds 2 thru 9. If not, they should hit.

If a player has 11, they should double if the dealer has 2 thru 10. If the dealer holds an ace, they should hit.

If a player has 12, they should hit only if the dealer holds 2 or 3. They should stand if the dealer has 4 thru 6. If not, they should just hit.

If a player has 13 thru 16, they should stand if the dealer holds 2 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has 17 thru 21, they should always stand.

How to play those soft hands (A soft hand refers to when one of the starting hands holds an Ace)

If a player has Ace 2 or Ace 3, they should double if the dealer has 5 or 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has Ace 4 or Ace 5, they should double if the dealer holds 4 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has Ace 6, they should double if the dealer holds 3 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

vIf a player has Ace 7, they should stand if the dealer holds 2, 7, or 8. Players should double 3 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has Ace 8 or Ace 9, they should always stand.

How to play pairs (Pairs denotes 2 cards of the same face value)

If a player has a pair of Aces or eights, they should always split.

If a player has a pair of 2s or 3s, they should split if the deal holds 2 thru 7. If not, they should hit.

If a player has a pair of fours, they should split if the dealer holds 5 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has 5s, they should double if the dealer has 2 thru 9. If not they should hit.

If a player has a pair of sixes, they should split if the dealer holds 2 thru 6. If not, they should hit.

If a player has a pair of sevens, they should split 2 thru 7. If not they should hit.

If a player has a pair of nines, they should spit 2 thru 6 and 8 thru 9. They should stand if the dealer holds 7, 10 or Ace.

If a player has a pair of tens, they should always stand.

When playing blackjack online, players will find strategies are ever important towards winning that game.