The first assumes that the player has not been dealt an Ace (Hard Hand) and the second assumes that the player has been dealt an Ace (Soft Hand). There are two blackjack basic strategies. Soft and Hard hands (also known as hard and soft totals)
Now you see why it's important to learn Blackjack Basic Strategy and never play the game without applying it correctly. Without applying basic strategy, the house advantage can go as high as 2.5 percent or more. The house edge in a typical blackjack game is around 0.50 percent when a player applies basic strategy correctly during play. It's formulated using statistical probabilities and the game of blackjack can be very rewarding when the basic strategy is followed correctly.įollowing blackjack basic strategy can also lower the house advantage. Blackjack is a game of decisions, and Blackjack basic strategy is a series of guidelines that may help you determine when to request another card from the dealer (Hit), when to stick or stay with the cards that you have (Stand), when to double your initial bet (Double down) or when to split your initial two cards (Split a pair).Īlthough blackjack basic strategy does not guarantee that you will win, it is the optimal method of playing any hand and essentially the best way to play blackjack.
