Basic Blackjack Strategy
Learning to play blackjack is simple once you understand the concepts and strategies of blackjack. Before you learn basic blackjack strategy, you must understand how the game works and what combination of cards gives you a winning hand. Blackjack is commonly referred to as '21', and the object is to get a combination of cards equal or close to the number 21 without going over. The game gets complicated because you have get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over, also known as 'going bust'. As you learn more about basic Blackjack strategy, you can see where advantages lie and improve your chances of making a profit.
Before we get to basic Blackjack strategy, you should also understand the one advantage you always have over the dealer; they must play by a strict set of rules governed by the house. This information will help you as we discuss the dealer's limitations, but when reading the strategy keep this point in mind as it will help form the base of your basic Blackjack strategy.
Basic Blackjack strategy is simple once you familiarize yourself with the card values. Each card in the deck is given numeric value from 1 to 11. The Ace counts as either a 1 or 11, but it's up to you if it's 1 or 11. All number cards, 2-9, hold the value indicated on the card, and the 10's and face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are all valued at 10. The perfect Blackjack hand is an Ace and any of the cards valued at 10, as this will give you a hard '21' or Blackjack. Card suits are irrelevant in Blackjack so just focus on the numerical value of each card during a hand.
Basic Blackjack strategy indicates that you hit, or take another card if the dealer's up card is a 7 or higher and your card total is less than 16. If the dealer's up card is 7 or higher, and your card total is 17 or more, you must 'stay'. When you 'stay', you don't receive additional cards to improve your hand. The reason this is basic Blackjack strategy is that house rules require the dealer to draw until his cards total at least 17, which increases the likelihood that the dealer will 'go bust'.
Keep in mind that the dealer has no financial stake in each hand and their play is dictated by house rules, so you always have at least an idea what they will do next. By that same token, if the dealer shows a 6 or lower and your cards total 11 or less you should always hit because the dealer has to take at least one more card to get the required minimum of 17. If, on the other hand, the dealer shows a 6 or lower and your cards total 12 or more, you will always stay. Since the odds give the house the advantage, this basic Blackjack strategy will improve your chances of making a profit.