Hitting or standing are the two simplest actions you can take during blackjack rounds. When you hit, you take on another card. If you ask to stand, you keep your current hand as the game progresses.
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Learn the Rules
To win, your hand must be closer to 21 than the croupier’s. Having more would mean a loss. You must fully understand the basic rules of blackjack to have any shot at winning.
In addition to these rules, you must study card values and terminologies in blackjack. This knowledge would raise your expertise level, improving your chances of winning.
The Importance of Basic Strategy
There is a standard guide to help minimize the effect of the house edge. This basic strategy also improves your chances of winning steadily. It includes a mathematically derived set of rules that eliminates guesswork from gameplay.
For instance, you should always hit when your cards total 8 or less in value. If you have a card total of 17 or higher, stand. There are more situations in which players are advised to hit or stand. Read more below.
3 Key Situations When to Hit
- You should always hit when you have low totals of 8 or less.
- Hit if the croupier card is a 2 or 7 to 10.
- If your hand value is soft from 13 to 17, hit to improve your hand.
- Hit if you have a soft 18 and the dealer card is a 9 or 10.
- When you split pairs, you need to hit to build stronger hands.
- If the dealer card is a 10 and you have a hard 16, hit.
3 Key Situations When to Stand
- Keep your current hand if your hard total is 17 or higher. Doing otherwise would be a risk.
- If the dealer’s upcard shows 2 – 6, stand. If you have a hard 16 and the visible card is between 2 and 6, maintain your hand.
- If you have a soft 18 against the dealer’s 2 to 8, keep your stand.
- Always stand with totals of soft19 or higher.
Soft Hands vs. Hard Hands
Understanding the consequence of possessing either one of these hand types enables you to decide when to hit or stand.
A soft hand includes an Ace whose value is 11. Conversely, a hard hand does not include an Ace.
Soft 13, for example, includes an Ace and a 2. A hard 13 would have a 7, 5, and an Ace that counts as 1.
You have the liberty to take more risks with soft hands. However, if you possess a hard hand, you must be more cautious to avoid a bust. Having soft hands leads to hitting, while hard hands involve mostly standing in blackjack.
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Reading the Dealer’s Upcard
You must always consider the croupier’s visible card when deciding to hit or stand. The upcard gives you an idea of the croupier’s hand total. Moreover, they have to hit when they hold a 16 or less. However, they must stand in cases of 17 or higher. Here is how you can base your decisions on the dealer’s upcard:
- A 2 – 6 is a weak card. The dealer must hit until they have at least 17; they are likely to bust.
- A 7 – 8 is a neutral card. The croupier is less likely to bust. Instead, they may end up with totals of 17 or higher.
- A 9, 10, or Ace are strong cards. The dealer could get a 19 to 21.
If the dealer’s visible card is weak, stand when you hold a 12 to 16. If the upcard is neutral and you possess a weak hand, you should hit. However, for 17+ totals, stand. In cases where the dealer has a strong upcard, be more aggressive with hitting. Hit on totals of 12 to 16. You may even consider surrendering.
The Role of Probability
Understanding how odds work would better your decision-making when playing blackjack. In the process leading up to hitting or standing, consider the probability of you attaining totals over 21. For instance, you will never cross over 21 with a total of 11 or less, even if you hit.
However, there is a 92% likelihood of crossing the mark when you hold a 20. According to the calculations, hitting with totals of 16 or less is safer. However, you are better off standing with a hand value of 17 or higher.
Probability also helps with deciding the dealer’s chances of bursting. Upcards with totals of 2 to 6 have the most chances. However, if their visible card is a 9, 10, or Ace, they are much less likely to burst.
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