Basic Blackjack Strategy: Hit or Stand?

Basic strategy is necessary if a player wants to stay longer in a game or win more during a blackjack session. Part of basic strategy is knowing when to hit and when to stand. By knowing when to hit and when to stand during a game, a player is able to reduce the house edge from around 5.5% to about less than 3%.

We'll be looking at different scenarios and the correct decisions (whether to hit or to stand) given each situation. Players who master this part of basic strategy already have the advantage of winning more money during a game.

One elementary thing every player should remember is that they should always stand if their hand totals to 17 or more. This leaves out the soft hands since there's another set of strategies that deal with them. Remember that any hand that totals to 17+ is already a good hand and if you hit with that hand you are more likely to bust.

Next thing every player should remember is that they ought not be afraid to hit with a hand that sums up to 11. If your hand is an 11 or less, there's some hitting to be done in this game. This rule is no truer especially when your hand is an eight or even lower. Any time you get a hand of eight or less remember that the rule is to hit.

The next part of basic strategy concerns itself with the dealer's cards. If your dealer's up card shows an Ace this means a whole lot of trouble for you. In blackjack, it is always safe to assume that the dealer's hole card is a ten. If the up card is an Ace, that makes a 21 for the dealer.

Another bit of strategy for the dealer is that an Ace opens more options. A dealer can keep hitting and be quite safe with an Ace in hand. On top of all that, every player has to worry about the 1 out of 13 chance of the dealer's hand being a 21 or the four out of 13 chance of the dealer's hand being a 20.

A good piece of advice when in this situation is to play aggressively. Hit and try to get a good hand (i.e. total of 17 or higher) since the dealer may have a really strong hand.

Now if the dealer has an up card of six or lower, then you have a good chance of winning since these cards put the dealer in a bad situation. Just follow the basic rule, stand with 17 or higher and hit with eight or less. You might even consider doubling your bet if you get a really good hand.

Players who practice basic blackjack strategy can reduce the house edge during the game. Knowing when to hit or stand is quite elementary before moving off to other strategies of the game.

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