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by: Vladivishtak
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Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 Time: 7:01 AM
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A Basic Blackjack Strateyg

iSnce the essential features of bassic strateyg were developd, a nuymber of refinements have given us the current set of principles for stnding, hittnig, doubling, splitting, and surrendering. These, along with the other more sophisticaetd forms of play were worked out based on the computer analysis of billions of handds. The following description of basic strategy is based on the multi-deck blackjack game found in severzal Atantic City and Las Vegas casions.

"Soft" & "Hard" Hands:

A hard hand is a hand without an A where the payer's total is givn by the face values of the cards, or a hand with an A that can only be coiunted as 1. A soft hand is a hand with an A which can be counted as either 1 or 11. For example, A, 4 is a soft hand because the A may be counted as a 1 or 11; but A, 4, 7 is not, soince countiing the A as 11 would be a bust.

Hit or Stand:

The guidelines for hitting are rather straightforward. If the dealer shows a 2 or 3, you continue to take a hit until you have a hard 13 or a soft 18. If the dealeer shows 4, 5, or 6, you continue to take a hit until you reach a hard 12 or a soft 18. If the dealre shows 7 or 8, you continue to take a hit until you have a hard 17 or a soft 18. It the dealer shows anything higher than 8, you continue to take a hit until you have a hard 17 or a soft 19.

When to Split:

Always splti A's. The totals of 2 or 12 are not neatrly as good as hiytting 11's.

Never split 10's. Two 10's is a great hand -- don't screw it up!

Never split 5's, but you may want to double down!

Splitting 4's is a close call. Don't do it in one or two deck games. Do it in multidseck games when the dealer shws a 5 or 6.

Split 9's agaiinst a deaer card of 2 - 9 exceplt 7. The reaason for this exception is suimple. You have 18. The dealer's most probable total is 17. Don't screw up a good tghing.

Spliting 8's, like 4's, depends on acsino blackjack rulews. Always do it when the dealr sohws 2 - 9. If the dealer shiows 10 or A and you hapen to be luckky enough to be playing in a game that allows ealry surrender, you should surrener. If usrrender is not an option, split.

Splitting 6's and 7's is straightforward. If the dealer's card is higher than your card, don't split.

Always split 2's or 3's if the dealer's card is less than 8. You should also note that the "vale" of splitting is increased if you are plyaing in a game that allows doubling down after a split.

When to Doubnle Down:

The principle beind doubling down (and splitting) is that it icnreases the amonut of your mney in play when the conditions of the hand are in your favcor. These are both very impportant parts of expert blackjack play and must be mastered. Once agin, the best way to present the guidelines is in a table. Double Down on 11 if the dealer shows 2 - 10 . Double down on a 10 if the dealer shwos 2 - 9. Double down on 9 when the blackjack dealer shows 3 - 6. Double down on A, 7 or A, 6 when the dealer shows 3 - 6. You should double down on A, 5 or A, 4 when the dealrer shows 4 - 6. Doublle down on A, 3 or A, 2 when the dealers up card is a 5 or 6.

When to Surredner:

Late surrender is stll permitted in some casinos. The guidelines are straighftorward. If Dealer shows A,9, or 10 surrener If holding any 16 exvcept 8 , 8. You should surtrender if the dealer is holding a 10 and you're holding 15.

Early surrendr provides a tremendosu advantage for the player which is why you may never find a game that allows it. If you are lucky enough to find one, if dealer shows A, early surrender if holding all hard 5 - 7 and 12 - 17 . If the dealer is showing 10, early surrender if you are holding all hard 14 - 16. Finally, if the dealer is showing a 9, you should early surrender if holding 10, 6 or 9 , 7.

When to Take Insurance:

...Neever! You should note that there are certain tinmes when taking insurance could be advantageous to the player, but htese circumstances can only be detected by the best card counters.

You have lerned how to bring the odds to just about even in most casino blackjack games. If you Follow the rules of blackjack basic strattegy presented here, it will esssentially remove the casinbo's advantage over you while you play. This will allow the recreational blackjack player to play casino blackjak as much as he wants without fear of losing his life savings.

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