People often think Blackjack is a game of luck unless you can count the cards. In fact, this is not the case. You need to combine luck with skill and judgment, and as you learn effective strategies for play, you can improve your odds. When you improve your strategies, you can get better at the game and potentially win more money when you play online. You can enjoy live casino plays with your newfound strategies.
Best Blackjack Hands
It is important to understand the best hands when you are playing Blackjack. The best hand you can be dealt is a Jack, Queen, or King and an Ace. This adds to 21 and is considered Blackjack. When you are dealt this hand, it’s an automatic win and the dealer cannot beat you.
The next best hand is an Ace and a 10. This also adds to 21, and you can only lose if the dealer draws a Blackjack against you.
The next set of cards that is considered a good hand is anything that adds to 17, 18, 19, or 20. You will almost always stay if you have any of these hands. There is a low chance of drawing a card that is low enough that you will remain under 21, and the dealer has a good chance of busting if he or she takes a card.
You should also look at the dealer’s card that is face up. If you have 20 and the dealer is showing an 8, there is a good chance that you will win. You would not want to take a hit on this hand.
Another unique hand is a pair of Aces or a Pair of eights. If you draw a pair of anything, you have the option of splitting them and taking a hit on each card. If your pair totals 19 or 20, you should stay. However, if you have a pair of 8s, there is a good chance that you will draw 10s and turn a 16 into two 18s. This is considered a better hand with low risk. Splitting two Aces obviously offers you the opportunity to draw two blackjacks, so you should always split these two cards.
The Worst Blackjack Hands
It is also important to know the worst Blackjack hands so that you can strategize and cut your losses. There are certain hands that have a statistical probability of losing.
For example, if you have 16 and the dealer has a 10 or a 9 showing, statistics say that you will lose 53% of the time. The dealer only has to beat your hand, which is likely if you have 16. The dealer has a lot of options, including anything from 7 through Ace to beat you. If you have a 16 and the dealer is showing an Ace, it is slightly worse because they have a good chance of drawing a blackjack.
Your choices are to stay or to take a hit. If you have a 16, or even a 15, you can choose what you want to do. You can take the risk and hope for a low card, or you can stay. Some players have a standard role of staying on anything below 17, while other players will risk a hit on a 15.
If you draw a hand that is below 15 and the dealer has a 9 or a 10 showing, most players will always take a hit. You need to develop your own strategy for these situations, and this is where luck comes into play. You can form your strategy, and then it is a good idea to stick with it.
Doubling Down
Finally, you need to understand doubling down. This is where you double your bet and take a hit. If you have two low cards that total 9, 10, or 11, you may want to double down because you are likely to draw a 10. This strategy can allow you to increase your winnings by a lot. This is a particularly effective strategy when the dealer is showing a low card. When you learn the different strategies, you can have more fun and minimize your risks when you play Blackjack online.
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