Casinio Game Information: Basic Strategy

Casinio Game Information

(Blackjack continued)

The Basics of Basic Strategy

The way to play a hand should not be a guessing game. The optimal way to play any hand is dependent on basic strategy. Basic strategy has been determined by computer simulations that are capable of playing billions of hands and calculating the method of play that affords the player the best opportunity of winning. The only appropriate deviations made from basic strategy would be done by a card counter who has came across a situation where it would be advantageous. Otherwise, stick to basic strategy.

Before you take a closer look at basic strategy, lets go over the options the dealer has for playing his/her hand. In most casinos the following applies: a dealer will check for blackjack if showing a ten or an ace as an up card and offer insurance if the up card is an ace. If the dealer has a total less than 17, he/she will hit till they have a total of 17 or more or bust. If the dealer has a total of 17 or more, the dealer will stand. The major variation in the way a dealer plays his hand concerns the soft total of 17. Some casinos require a dealer to hit a soft 17 (a soft hand is a hand paired with an ace that gives the hand two totals because an ace can have a value of 11 or 1). A dealer hitting a soft 17 is to the player's disadvantage and adds to the house edge. By the way, a player should never stand on a soft 17.

Below are links for various basic strategy charts. The number of decks and the various blackjack rules affect the way the game should be played. Clicking on a chart will open it in another window.

Strategy Charts

Chart	Rules
two-deck-standard	2 Decks, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, No surrender, No resplit of Aces
two-deck-hit-s17	2 Decks, Dealer hits soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, No surrender, No resplit of Aces
two-deck-surrender	2 Decks, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, Late surrender, No resplit of Aces
one-deck-limited-DD	*1 Deck, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double on 9,10,11 only, Double after split, No surrender, No resplit of Aces
one-deck-standard	*1 Deck, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, No surrender, No resplit of Aces
six-deck-standard	6 Decks, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, No surrender, No resplit of Aces
six-deck-hit-s17	6 Decks, Dealer hits soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, No surrender, No resplit of Aces
six-deck-surrender	6 Decks, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double on any total, Double after split, Late surrender, No resplit of Aces

Be wary of single deck games. Casinos rarely offer single deck games without making concessions toward less favorable rules. A common offering is a game with less than 3:2 pay out for blackjack, including some games that pay even money on blackjack. Some casinos offer single deck games but limit double downs, prohibit re-splitting pairs, and prohibit doubling after splitting. A double deck game with standard rules is more favorable to the player than watered-down single deck games.

These charts are simplified versions of charts created using the Blackjack Strategy Calculator Applet. To see more detailed information concerning strategy or to see strategy for rules not listed here, try the calculator.

A player using the above charts under the right conditions without making too many errors will be playing casino blackjack against a smaller house edge. Since I have thus far failed to mention a very important point I will state it now: the house's edge on blackjack exists only because the player is forced to play out his hand first. Therefore, if the player busts and the dealer busts, the dealer still wins.