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.

To Drive Out Opponents when a Player has the Best Hand

When a PokerStars.net player raises when he thinks he has the best hand to drive other players out of the pot, what he is essentially doing to raising to give other players insufficient odds to chase some of their outs. When cutting down another player’s odds, you will reduce the amount of money they win per dollar invested. A player raising to drive opposing players out of the hand is doing so primarily to prevent draws or second best hands from catching up. Simply put, a player is raising to terminate the hand.

To Get More Money in the Pot when a Player has the Best Hand

When a player has the best hand, he wants more money in the pot, so he wins more money. This is known as raising for value. This type of raise ideally occurs when a player has best hand and is not vulnerable to players catching up.

To Bluff or Semi-Bluff

This play is often done when a player is on a flush or straight draw on the flop and a raise can help in two different ways. First, the raise might take down the pot right away on the flop. That way, the player with the draw will win the pot without having to chase his draw, and will win with the worst hand. Second, a bluff or semi-bluff raise may set up a play on later streets. Additionally, a PokerStar bet of this nature (specifically a semi-bluff) often leads to other betting styles in the event a hand hits, such as when the flush card comes on the turn after betting on the flop with your draw.

To Get a Free Card

Even if the player’s raise does not win the pot on the flop, most likely the player’s opponent will check the turn. The raiser will then check back, and will get to see the river card free.

To Gain Information

Instead of check-calling an opponent on the flop, turn and river with what a player might THINK is the best hand but could very well be second best, that player might raise on the flop to see “where he is at”. If he is reraised, he can confidently fold. If he is called, there is a good chance the hand will check down to the river.

Raising is a helpful tool, and if used correctly, it could mean the difference between winning and losing a poker hand.

There are two conditions that ideally should be met before a check-raise should be used. Before looking for the conditions, the potential check-raiser expects that a worse hand will call his check-raise. First, the check-raiser must believe he has the best hand, but not good enough that a slowplay should be used. The second condition is that if the potential check-raiser, he is quite sure that a player behind him is going to bet. (Otherwise he obviously cannot check-raise)

Position must also be taken into consideration before check raising. For example, imagine there are three players in the pot. The first player checks. The second player believes the player last to act will bet if checked to. Thus, the middle Ultimatebet player checks with the intention of check raising. The third player bets like clockwork and the first player calls. Action rolls back to the middle player, who then puts in the raise portion of the check-raise. This is a sign of strength from the middle player. Typically, the check-raise will knock out one or all players in this hand.

This play also serves another hidden purpose, in that if the player who is third to act calls or even reraises the check-raise, you can put him on an absolute monster hand and fold your top pair without losing more money. Think of how much money the check-raiser could of lost if he just check-called the entire hand.

However, if the player who has top pair was first to act, he should instead just bet out with his top pair. This way, the player is getting money into the pot with what he thinks is the best hand, and is hiding the strength of his hand.

If the conditions are right, the check-raise can be one of the scariest and deceptive moves a poker player can use at the tables.

However, buffing can be a very dangerous move if it is not done properly, or if you do not know when and when not to bluff. Knowing when to bluff can be the difference between winning a tournament and going out early.

When to Bluff

Against weak or tight players: Weak or tight players are usually the best players to bluff against. This is because it is unusual for a weak or tight opponent to call a raise or re-raise with anything less than a premium hand. Although you still have to be wary if they do call your first initial bluff. This can be a sign of his hand strength from this player.

Everyone has checked previously in the pot: This can be a good sign of weakness from the players in the pot. If you are last to act, raising can steal the pot from players. This can also be called a squeeze play.

Against one FullTiltPoker opponent: If the pot was raised pre-flop, and enter the pot with one other caller. The chances are that he will miss the flop two thirds of the time, which makes it a good time to try a bluff.

When you have a draw or outs: Bluffing when you are on a draw or have outs can be a good time to try a bluff. If the opponent folds you win the pot, if he calls you also have a chance of winning the pot, by hitting your draw or one of your outs.

When Not to Bluff

Against bad players or calling stations: Bad players usually do not know what is happening around them and have trouble reading the board or realizing their beat. So trying to bluff against them is a bad idea. The same can be said for calling stations. Calling stations are known for the weak play and will call to the river with almost any half decent players.

Against too many players: The odds of a player hitting a hand that they will play to the finish increases as more players enter the pot. This is bad news if attempting a bluff.
If opponents expect you to bluff: Before bluffing, take into consideration the image opponents have of you. If an opponent thinks you bluff often, they will call with lesser hands.