Basic Strategy in Internet Blackjack

The basic strategy in blackjack is the mathematics of the actual game. The basic strategies are all refined and tested through various computer simulations and have been tried in real casinos to check heir effectiveness. When the basic strategy is followed correctly it can reduce the house edge quite significantly. However, a few minor adjustments would have to be made to the strategy depending on the variations in the rules of the casino.

Any player who wishes to be successful playing blackjack would first have to learn and master the basic strategy. There are several strategy charts which show players what decisions to make based on the first two cards and the dealer’s up card.

Given below are a few guidelines on how to deal with individual hands in different scenarios:

Playing Hard Hands

Hard hands are the those hands which do not have an ace.

· If you have a hard hand of 8 or less than that, always hit.

· If you have a 9- always hit. When the dealer holds 3, 4, 5, or 6 double.

· If you have 10- hit unless the dealer holds 2 through 9 in which case you should double.

· If you have 11- hit when the dealer’s up card is ace. Double if the dealer has 2 through 10.

· If you have 12- hit when the dealer holds two or three, stand when he has 4, 5, or 6 otherwise hit.

· If you have 13 to 16- stand when the dealer has 2 to 6 otherwise hit.

· If you have 17-21 you should always stand.

Playing Soft Hands

Soft hands are those which contain an ace.

· For Ace2 or Ace3 you should double when the dealer holds 5, 6 otherwise just hit.

· For Ace4 and Ace5- double when the dealer holds 4, 5, 6 otherwise hit.

· For Ace6- double when the dealer holds 3 through 6 otherwise just hit.

· For Ace7- stand when the dealer holds 2, 7, 8. Double for 3 through 6 otherwise hit.

· For Ace8 and Ace 9 always stand.

Splitting Pairs

· Pairs of aces and 8s – always split

· Pairs of 2s and 3s- split only when the dealer holds 2 through 7 otherwise hit

· Paris of 4s- split only when the dealer shows 5 or a 6 otherwise hit.

· Paris of 5s- double when dealer shows two through nine otherwise hit.

· Paris of 6s- Split only when dealer holds two through six.

· Pair of 7s- split for 2 through 7 otherwise just hit.

· Paris of 9s- split for 2 through 6, 8 or 9. Always stand when the dealer has ace, ten or 7.

· Pair of 10s- always stand.

These were the basic rules which you should follow while playing internet blackjack. Once you practice these basic strategies and master them to perfection you would be able to make decent profits just on the basis of these strategies. Blackjack strategies are not very difficult to learn but there might be minor changes when the rules of the casinos differ.