Blackjack Strategy for Multi-card Situations

Although blackjack is quite simple to understand, there are times when you can easily get confused when handling multiple cards. For multi-card situations, here are some basic tips for making smart decisions.

Playing hard hands

You should not forget the basic strategy in dealing with hard hands. Hard hands do not contain any card of ace and by using the correct strategy in playing, it would surely reduce the edge of the house.

Here are the tips that you should always remember when playing hard hands.

* If you get an eight or less, do not hesitate to hit.
* If you get a nine, play a double if the dealer gets 3 to 6. If not, play hit.
* If you get a ten, play a double if the dealer gets 2 to 9. If not, play hit.
* If you get an eleven, play a double if the dealer gets 2 to 9. If not, play hit if the dealer gets an ace card.
* If you get a twelve, play hit if the dealer has either 2 or 3. You should stand if the dealer gets 4 to 6. If not, play hit.
* If you get 13-16, you stand if the dealer gets 2 to 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get 17 to 21, always play stand.

Playing soft hands

Another important thing that you should remember in the basic strategy is how to play soft hands. Soft hands are simply a hand with an ace card. If you have an ace card in your hand and you played it well, you can play your best game. Here are some tips that you should consider.

* If you get an ace and a 2 or 3, you should play double if the dealer gets either a 5 or a 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get an ace and a 4 or 5, you should play double if the dealer gets 4 to 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get an ace and a 6, you should play double if the dealer gets 3 to 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get an ace and a 7, you should play stand if the dealer gets a 7 or 8. Play double if the dealer gets 3 to 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get an ace and an 8, you should always stand.

Playing pairs

The last consideration that you should memorize in the blackjack basic strategy is the guidelines that you should follow when playing pairs. Here are the guidelines:

* If you get a pair of eight or ace, you should play split.
* If you get a pair of three or two, you should play split if the dealer gets 2 to 7. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get a pair of four, you should play split if the dealer gets 5 to 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get a pair of five, you should play double if the dealer gets 2 to 9. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get a pair of six, you should play split if the dealer gets 2 to 6. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get a pair of seven, you should play split if the dealer gets 2 to 7. If not, you have to play hit.
* If you get a pair of nine, you should play split if the dealer gets 2 to 6, and 9 or 8. You should stand if the dealer gets an ace, a 7, or a 10.
* If you get a pair of ten, you should always stand.