Developing a solid blackjack strategy makes the difference between blackjack being a beatable gambling game. Blackjack is just that; a beatable game, which means that in the long run it is possible for a player with a good strategy to achieve an edge over the house and come out in the black, so to speak. Blackjack strategy is all about knowing the cards and knowing the odds.
Once you know that an ace can be either a 1 or an 11, that the number cards from 2-9 are their written value, and that the 10, Jack, Queen and King cards equal 10, you're ready to start. At the most basic, you need to have a closer hand to 21 than the dealer, without going over. The strategy comes from knowing statistics.
Whether to hit or stand on 17 is the biggest blackjack strategy question that people have. The dealer, according to the rules of the casino, has certain guidelines that must be followed with the 17. In most casinos, a dealer must stand if he has a hand value worth 17 or more. Some casinos are the opposite and say a dealer must hit if he has a 17. Either way, this is what give blackjack players the advantage. A player does not need to follow these guidelines.
To form a blackjack strategy, an intimate understanding of the game is necessary. A player has a few options during the blackjack game. One option, which is not commonly used, is the Surrender. A surrender is just that, deciding to not play the hand. This option can only be used after a player has received his first two cards. If he or she hits than surrender is no longer an option. In a surrender, a player decides to quit the game after receiving the initial cards and receives half of the original bet back.
Blackjack strategy considerations
Knowing the ins and out of the game are the best tool for a solid blackjack strategy. The biggest decision a player must usually make, in regards to strategy, is whether to hit or stand on a specific hand. Learning the odds on whether it is more beneficial to hit or stand is the core of blackjack strategy. Knowing when to split pairs, when to take insurance, and other similar considerations are the next step in a blackjack strategy. But, like most things, the best way to form a great strategy is to learn the basics and then start playing.
