When to Hit in Blackjack
To hit simply implies drawing one more card in the hope of having a better hand. You will have to hit when:
- Your hand value is 11 or lower since busting is not an issue here.
- Your hard 12-16 and notice the dealer upcard of 7, 8, 9, 10, or Ace, which are the strong dealer cards.
- You have a soft 17 or lower (hand with an Ace, which is still usable for 11 points).
- The overall concept is to hit when your hand is soft relative to the dealer's face card so you have a better opportunity to make your hand stronger.
When to Stand in Blackjack
Standing, as the term suggests, is to hold your hand and complete your turn. You will stand when:
- You possess a tough 17 or greater, as a hit has the potential to make you bust.
- You possess a soft 18 or more, particularly with a bad dealer upcard (2-6).
- You are provided with a challenging 12-16 and the dealer upcard is 2-6, so they have a higher opportunity to bust.
- Standing at the appropriate time allows you to preserve a powerful hand while leaving the dealer in the position to take a chance and go over 21.
When to Double Down in Blackjack
Doubling down enables you to double your initial bet in return for one additional card. It is a good decision when:
- Your hand is 10 or 11, and the dealer's upcard is weak (2-9).
- You hold a soft 16, 17, or 18, and the dealer's upcard is a low card (3-6).
- The game rules permit you to double down when splitting pairs (DAS rule).
- Doubling down when you are supposed to doubles your win when the odds are in your favor.
When to Split in Blackjack
Splitting is a choice if you are dealt two cards of equal value, so you can split them into two different hands. Split when:
- You are dealt a pair of Aces – splitting gives you the best opportunity to draw a blackjack.
- You're dealt a couple of 8s – 16 is a bad hand, but two 8s put you in the better position of making improved hands.
- You hold a set of 9s, excluding the dealer holding 7, 10, or Ace.
- Avoid splitting 5s and 10s because they would be a stronger first hand if you left them as their composite rather than split.
Conclusion
A good blackjack strategy relies on standing, hitting, doubling down, and splitting. Learning these in Sanado Club can enable you to make more intelligent decisions and optimize your potential for winning. There is always an element of luck involved, but gambling using basic strategy will give you your best chance at beating the house. Never ever forget to have control of your bankroll and gamble responsibly!