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J Phillip Vogel provides comprehensive strategy tables
including tips for variations such as Double Exposure Blackjack, Spanish Blackjack,
Super Fun 21, and European Advanced Blackjack
by J.
Phillip Vogel
Basic Strategy
Despite its simplistic premise, blackjack is one of the most difficult games
in the casino. But with an extremely low vigorish-sometimes reaching 0.18%--it
can also be one of the most profitable. Or at least it is if you master basic
strategy.
Although daunting and at times confusing, basic strategy it is really nothing
more than a breakdown of the optimal way to play every possible situation based
on the house's rules, your current hand and the dealer's exposed
card.
Below is a sample basic strategy table for use with multiple deck games.
Basic Strategy Rules for Hard Totals
|
Dealer's Upcard |
Player |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
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 |
H |
10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
9 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Key: H=Hit
S=Stand
D=Double if allowed; If not, hit.
Basic Strategy for Soft Totals
|
Dealer's Upcard |
Player |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
A,9 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
A,8 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
A,7 |
S |
D/S |
D/S |
D/S |
D/S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
A,6 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
A,5 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
A,4 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
A,3 |
H |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
A,2 |
H |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Key: H=Hit
S=Stand
D=Double if allowed; If not, hit.
D/S=Double if allowed; If not, stand
Basic Strategy Rules for Pair Splitting
|
Dealer's Upcard |
Player |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
T |
A |
A,A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
T,T |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
9,9 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
8,8 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
7,7 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
6,6 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
5,5 |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
4,4 |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
3,3 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
2,2 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Key: Y=Split the pair.
N=Don't split.
Remember, optimal basic strategy varies with the version of the game that you
play, and there are tables such as these that outline exactly what action to
take given the circumstance. And while they may be challenging to memorize,
if making money as a blackjack player is you're ultimate goal, there's
simply no other option.
Variations on a Theme
While the traditional version is often the game of choice among blackjack enthusiasts,
there are many other exciting and profitable variants available in both traditional
and online casinos. Although the basic premise for each variation is akin to
traditional blackjack, each has its own set of rules and strategy. Double Exposure Blackjack
Offers many of the same traditional blackjack rules except: Both dealer cards
are exposed, dealer wins all ties except on a natural blackjack, players may split
only once, player blackjack pays 1:1.
European Advanced Blackjack
Available in regular and high limit versions. In this double-deck game blackjack
pays 3:2, the dealer stands on soft 17, and both double down and split options
are available.
Spanish Blackjack
Liberal blackjack game. Rules include: multiple 48-card decks (10s are removed
from play), player 21 always wins, player blackjack beats dealer blackjack, player
may double after splitting, double down rescue, five-card 21 pays 3:2, six-card
21 pays 2:1, and seven-card pays 3:1.
Super Fun 21
Very liberal single deck version of blackjack. Rules include: Dealer hits soft
17, player may double after a split, double on any number of cards, late surrender
is available, as is double down rescue. Blackjack pays even money.
J.
Phillip Vogel
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