Blackjack Strategy

There are an assortment of the best blackjack strategies, and finding the angle that best suits you can sometimes take time. Strategies will also be influenced by the type of game that you choose to play, as there are a plenty of fun blackjack variants that exist. This page offers an overall strategy to blackjack that will allow you to move forward.

Due to the variety of blackjack games that exist, it’s vital that you understand the rules of each table you sit at. Always take the time to read the limit sign or table rules so that you understand what the maximum/minimum wagers are. Some tables will limit the cards you can split or double down on as well, and we post these rules plainly at BetAmerica Blackjack so that they are transparently available to the player.

The Blackjack Basics

  • Hit it!

    The most basic strategy in blackjack is for almost all instances where your cards have a value of 11 or less, it is best to hit. It is best to stay when you are holding 17 thru 21.
  • Stay with me!

    Between 12 and 16 it depends on what the dealer is showing. For almost all of those hand values, it is best to stay when the dealer is showing a card of 2 thru 6 and hit when he is holding a 7 or higher. In many cases, you can hedge on the idea of a dealer busting instead of chasing your own blackjack. Your willingness to hit when you have a high combination depends on whether you’re holding a soft or hard hand.
  • Double the pair.

    It is almost always profitable to double if you are holding a pair, unless you are holding 9’s and the dealer is showing a high card.
  • Lucky number 17?

    You must always remember that the dealer must play up to or beyond a total of 17. Never assume that because they are showing a face card that they have “20”. The only element you can control is your own hand, so developing a system under which you understand when to hit and when to stay is vital to your success.

Hard Totals
Dealer Upcard >
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A
17
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
16
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
15
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
14
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
13
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
12
H
H
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
11
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
10
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
H
H
9
H
D
D
D
D
H
H
H
H
H