How to Know When to Hit in Blackjack: Expert Tips and Strategies
Blackjack is a thrilling game that combines luck and strategy, making every hand a unique challenge. Knowing when to hit can be the difference between a winning streak and walking away empty-handed. I’ve spent countless hours at the tables, and I know firsthand how crucial it is to make the right call.
Understanding the nuances of when to hit isn’t just about gut feeling; it’s about mastering the rules and probabilities. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, refining this skill and nailing the best practices can significantly boost your odds.
Basics of Blackjack
In Blackjack, knowing when to hit can drastically improve your odds of winning. Strategic decision-making is crucial, so I’ll share key strategies backed by rules and probabilities.
The Dealer’s Rules for Hit vs. Stand
Blackjack dealers follow strict rules that dictate when they hit and stand. These rules simplify the game strategy:
- Hit if hand value is 16 or below: Dealers must hit when their hand totals 16 or less.
- Stand if hand value is 17 or higher: Dealers stand on hands of 17 or more, including soft 17 (Ace and 6).
These rules can inform your decisions, as you can predict the dealer’s moves based on their visible card.
Strong and Weak Blackjack Hands
You have to have a good grasp on what a good or bad hand is to have confidence in knowing when to hit and when not to:
Strong Hands
- Hard 17-21: Automatically stand. These hands have a high chance of winning.
- Soft 19-21: Stand to avoid busting. A soft hand includes an Ace counted as 11.
Weak Hands
- Hard 12-16: Hit unless the dealer shows a weak upcard (2-6). This balances the risk of busting with the chance of improving your hand.
- Soft 13-18: Hit to maximize hand potential. A soft hand with an Ace gives room to improve without busting.
By adhering to these basic strategies, you can make informed decisions that enhance your chances of winning. Whether you’re a novice or experienced player, mastering these rules will support your Blackjack game.
Blackjack Strategy Chart
Using a Blackjack strategy chart can significantly improve decision-making at the table. It provides clear guidelines on whether to hit or stand based on the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard. The following table summarizes the optimal actions.
Want a downloadable and printable spreadsheet version of this chart? Here you go!
Blackjack Decision Strategies
In Blackjack, making the right move at the right time is crucial. Knowing when to hit or stand can significantly impact your game.
When to Hit
Hitting in Blackjack means requesting an additional card from the dealer. I usually hit under specific conditions to improve my hand.
- Hard 12-16 Against Dealer’s 7-Ace: If my hand totals 12-16 and the dealer shows a card from 7 through Ace, I hit. In most cases, the dealer is likely to win unless my hand improves.
- Soft 13-18: A soft hand includes an Ace valued as 11. I hit these hands (e.g., Ace-2 to Ace-7) to increase my total closer to 21 without much bust risk.
- Hard 11 or Less: With a hard hand (no Ace or Ace as 1) of 11 or less, hitting is usually safe since it’s improbable to bust with one card.
When to Stand
Standing means not taking any more cards. I decide to stand under specific conditions to avoid busting and rely on existing hand strength.
Pay close attention to the dealer’s upcard, as it heavily influences your strategy. The upcard, the dealer’s visible card, provides critical information to shape your decision to hit or stand. Here’s a breakdown of when to hit or stand based on various dealer upcards:
- Hard 17-21: Any hard hand totaling 17 to 21 should stand. These hands are strong enough to potentially win without further risk.
- Soft 19-21: Soft hands totaling 19 through 21 are also good to stand on. The likelihood of improving these hands is low, and hitting might lower the score.
- Hard 12-16 Against Dealer’s 2-6: Though it’s a precarious hand, if the dealer’s upcard shows a value from 2 to 6, the dealer is more likely to bust, so I stand to potentially win if the dealer busts.
When to Double Down
Doubling down in Blackjack is a bold move that can increase your potential winnings by doubling your bet in exchange for receiving just one more card. This move is particularly effective under specific circumstances:
Hard 9 Against Dealer’s 3-6: When I have a total of 9 (e.g., 6-3, 5-4) and the dealer shows a card between 3 and 6, I double down. The odds are in my favor because the dealer is more likely to bust, and I have a good chance of improving my hand.
Hard 10 or 11 Against Dealer’s Lower Card: If my hand totals 10 or 11 and the dealer has a lower card (9 or less), sometimes I’ll double down. This maximizes my chances of hitting a high card and achieving a strong total while the dealer may struggle with a lower-value hand.
Soft 16-18 Against Dealer’s 4-6: With a soft hand of 16 to 18 (e.g., Ace-5, Ace-7), I may double down when the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6. The soft nature of the hand minimizes the risk of busting, while doubling down increases the reward if I hit a strong card.
When to Split
Splitting allows you to turn one strong hand into two by splitting a pair into two separate hands, each with a matching bet. I split my cards strategically to take advantage of favorable situations:
Split Aces and 8s Always: I always split Aces and 8s, regardless of what the dealer is showing. Splitting Aces gives me a chance to turn two strong hands into potential 21s, and splitting 8s breaks up a tough 16, which is statistically one of the worst hands in Blackjack.
Split 2s, 3s, and 7s Against Dealer’s 2-7: When I hold a pair of 2s, 3s, or 7s, I split if the dealer shows a card between 2 and 7. These are weak enough hands that splitting improves my chances of getting better totals with a second card.
Split 6s Against Dealer’s 2-6: If I have two 6s, I split them when the dealer has a weak upcard (2-6). This move gives me a better chance of forming two competitive hands, rather than sticking with a weak total of 12.
Split 9s Against Dealer’s 2-6 and 8-9: I split 9s when the dealer shows a 2-6 or an 8-9. This move lets me maximize my potential to build two strong hands, and it avoids being stuck with an 18 when the dealer may have a weaker hand.