Want to play perfect blackjack and maximize your chances of winning? Of course, you do! By stringent following of a blackjack chart, you improve your odds.
In this article, we will guide you through how to use a Blackjack strategy so you know when to hit, stand, double down, or surrender.
Before you start with learning and memorizing the Blackjack hit chart you need to understand the basic strategies of Blackjack which you will learn in the guide on how to play Blackjack.
Once you feel comfortable with the basics of the game it’s time to dig a bit deeper into how the blackjack chart works.
The decision order when following a blackjack chart:
- When and if to surrender?
- When and if to split?
- When and if to double down?
- When and if to hit or stand?
A quick intro to the terms we will be going through in this Blackjack hit chart guide:
| Term | Definition |
| Hit | Means to take a new card and add to hand count |
| Stand | Leave hand count as it is |
| Split | Can only be done with pairs and means that you split your pair and play two hands from your original on hand. |
| Double | Means that you are doubling you bet |
| Surrender | Means to forfeit your hand and get half of your bet returned. |
Below is a step by step guide for each hand and scenario that with an image on a blackjack strategy chart which will help you reply to all the 4 questions above.
When to Surrender
Surrender on 16 against 9, 10 or an Ace (if surrender is not possible follow the hard totals strategy)
Surrender on 15 against 10 (if surrender is not possible follow the hard totals strategy)
When to Split
Always split aces – The mother of all blackjack splits.
Never split tens – this is a classic beginner mistake and we are sure you have seen this whenever visiting a land-based casino.
Split 9’s against 2 to 9, except for 7. Stand on 10 or Ace.
Always split 8’s – Just do it, no questions asked.
Split 7’s against 2 to 7, hit on 8, 9, 10, or Ace
Split 6’s against 2 to 6, hit on 7, 8, 9, 10, or Ace.
Never split 5’s – double against 2 to 9, hit on 10 and Ace.
Split 4’s against 5 and 6, hit against all other cards.
Split 3’s against 2 to 7, hit on 8, 9, 10, and Ace.
Split 2’s against 2 to 7, hit on 8, 9, 10, and Ace.
How to Double Soft Totals
Soft totals include an Ace
Soft 20 (A,9) always stands
Soft 19 (A,8) doubles against 6, if not stand.
Soft 18 (A,7) doubles against 2 to 6, and hits against 9, 10, or Ace, otherwise stand.
Soft 17 (A,6) doubles against 3 to 6, if not you should hit.
Soft 16 (A,5) doubles against 4 to 6, otherwise, hit and hope for a 4 or 5.
Soft 15 (A,4) doubles against 4 to 6, if not then hit.
Soft 14 (A,3) doubles against 5 to 6, otherwise hit.
Soft 13 (A,2) doubles against 5 and 6, hit on all other combinations
How to Double Hard Totals
Hard totals are hands without and ace
17 and up always stand – Stand even though you might feel lucky.
16 stands against dealer 2 to 6, otherwise hit.
15 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
14 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
13 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
12 stands against dealer 4 through 6, to hit.
11 always doubles
10 doubles against dealer 2 to 9 otherwise hit.
9 doubles against dealer 3 to 6 otherwise hit.
8 or lower always hits
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