Blackjack Basic Strategy - A Winning Foundation

If players practice basic strategy when playing blackjack they get on a firm ground of winning moves. A good winning foundation for any player is to learn and then practice proper blackjack basic strategy. Such basic strategy is based on statistically sound moves for different situations you'll find on the blackjack table, thereby leaving no room for second-guessing.

Of course, the opposite of playing blackjack basic strategy is to play by a player's gut feelings or individual intuition. But playing blackjack using this method is obviously ineffective and can't assure anyone of good winnings in any gaming session. Basic strategy can assure players of achieving better winnings. Players who are consistent in their application of proper blackjack basic strategy have the privilege of lowering the game's house edge.

Blackjack basic strategy would include instructions regarding when to double, hit, split, or stand. Of course the strategy will be based on the blackjack rules allowed by a casino. Blackjack basic strategy will not only consider what rules are allowed in a table but will also consider how many decks are in use. The number of decks used in a game of blackjack does have a significant effect on the players' odds of winning.

Here's an example of blackjack basic strategy. It applies to a game using six decks (a common blackjack game you'll find in many casinos). The rules that apply include doubling on the first two cards, doubling after splitting pairs is permitted, and the dealer will stand on a soft 17.

When is it appropriate to hit given the game conditions/rules given above? Given the stated rules that apply in a six-deck blackjack game players should always hit when their hand has a total from five to eight. If your total goes up to nine then double if you see your dealer's up card shows three to six. If that it is nowhere in this range then you hit.

If your hand makes a total of ten you should double down if the dealer's up card shows a two to nine. If your dealer's card isn't within that range of totals then you should hit. If your total hits 11 you should double if the dealer's up card shows a value ranging from two to ten. If the card isn't in that range then you should hit.

Of course all these moves will not apply to every game you find. One useful tool any blackjack player can use is a blackjack basic strategy engine - a software that generates blackjack basic strategy charts depending on the different applicable rules in a casino (look for one on the Internet).

The only drawback will have to be understanding the table you're getting from basic strategy engine, some people find it easier to understand a basic strategy chart or table when it is translated into English and not just numbers or a table.

Practice basic strategy and see the results. You'll enjoy it after mastering a basic strategy chart.