Try Not to Make These Hit or Stand Blackjack Mistakes
This decision of yours is dependant on both what you happen to be holding as well as what the dealer happens to be showing. There are certain variations on just when it would be ideal to split and double down. However, that isn’t our focus
One more thing we should mention though, is that while there are naturally lots of Blackjack strategy charts which tell the player exactly what they should do, they fail to mention just why they should do this. So here’s to any Blackjack lovers out there, both on-site or online, who wish to dig a little deeper with us and uncover the reasoning behind certain strategical moves.
Strategies explained
1. Player Has 12 While Dealer Has 4–6
When you’ve been dealt a 12, regardless of whether it happens to be an 8 + 4 or maybe a 10 + 2, trust us when we say you should only want to hit when the dealer shows either a 4, a 5, or a 6. This is because the chances of busting using such cards are quite high.
On the other hand, if the dealer happens to be showing 2 or 3, then they have a larger number of outs. If you’ve never heard of the poker term ‘outs’, it’s basically used for describing when you, as the player, have opportunities which might give you the victory.
You should also know that it applies to this game when you, the player, are facing the dealer. So to sum up, assuming the up card turns out to be either a 7, an 8, a 9, or a 10, you should definitely hit it. The reason is the dealer would more likely than not end up sticking with those cards, especially if the dealer’s cards are a 10.
2. Player Has 13–16 While Dealer Has 2–6
If you have 13 to16, then you can be sure that you’ve got a bit more ‘wiggle room’ with which to play. In such a situation, it would be wise to hit with all of the dealer ‘bust cards’ (those are from 2 to 6). And since 13 to 16 have the same standing rules, it would be fairly easy for the player to remember, particularly if they happen to be playing live. If, on the other hand, you are trying your luck at an online casino, then you can freely print out any of those useful charts we mentioned at the beginning.
3. Player Has 17 While Dealer Could Have Anything
17 is just one of those specific hands which gets even the seasoned players feeling nervous, especially when the dealer happens to be showing a 10. Blackjack players who are still newbies might feel tempted to try hitting on a 17. This is largely because most players are used to assuming that the dealer is always showing a 10, so why not, right?
Well you see, it just so happens that 17 is one of those specific hands which one should never hit on, irregardless of what the dealer may be showing. If this dealer happens to have a bust card, like, say, a 6, then you should rejoice. If it’s a 10, then the cards may not be in the player’s favor, but there is still some chance that he will reveal a bust card, and thus, have to hit again. The moral of the story? There are simply way too many of those variables which could very likely ruin the player’s hand if they hit, so we suggest standing in this case, and hoping for the best.
4. Player Has an A, 8, or an A, 9 While Dealer Could Have Anything
Many Blackjack experts might advise one to hit on a soft hand, or maybe double down. Once you do, you are also sure to be able to hit yet again. This is due to the fact that an Ace plus a 4 would be worth 15 or 5. And should you get a 6, then you would have 21. Likewise, if you end up with a 9, then you would have 14 rather than 24. And good thing too, since 24 will certainly bust you. There are those players, the risk-craving ones in particular, who will hit on absolutely any hand which has an Ace.
But the fact remains that an Ace plus an 8 gives the player 19, while an Ace plus a 9 gives them 20. Basically, the player would be risking it all just to get a lower hand in the end. Always keep in mind that there are far more cards in a playing deck which can one you a worse hand than they may already have. Far more than those cards which can give one a better hand, anyway.
5. Player Has 2 Tens While Dealer Could Have Anything
Whether one has 2 tens, 2 Jacks, 2 Queens, 2 Kings, or any combo which involves cards that are valued at 10, their best bet would be to stay. One more common mistake which lots of players make is with splitting 2 tens. The player has nothing less than the next best hand, seconded only by Blackjack. In fact, the only thing which can beat that is assuming the dealer succeeds in working his way up to 21. To put it simply, the odds of one winning such a hand with 20 are often better.
Conclusion
Know that you’ve read this article of ours, you can try and put some or all of these Blackjack standing rules to the test with your own gameplay! And if Blackjack doesn’t turn out to be your game, after all, then you can always try playing something else, such as the countless online slots at any of our top-rated online casinos. Whatever you decide upon, we would like to wish you the very best of luck!
