Best Moments to Use Each Choice in Blackjack

Blackjack is not just a game of chance but also of decision. The player controls their fate to some degree through using one of the five choices that they are given:

1. Hit – the dealer will give you another card.
2. Stand – you settle for your current hand and compare it with the dealer’s
3. Double / Double Down – a single action that causes you to gain one more card, double your stakes, then stand.
4. Split – Only available if your starting hand is a pair of a similar rank. The second card splits then forms another hand. Both hands gain a second card. You also have to place a new wager for the second hand which should be equal to your stake for the first one. You cannot double down on a split.
5. Surrender – You decide you can’t win the round so you recover half of your stake and end the round.

All of the above appear as buttons in online casinos like Luckyslots. It’s convenient for players of live games. People who play on brick and mortar casinos have to remember them to develop a good strategy. Here are the best moments to use every option.

Best Moments to Hit

Always hit if you have 11 or less in a hand without an Ace. Otherwise, you can always hit with a soft hand of 17 or less. It is always safe to get another card during these moments. Continue to hit until you reach the moments when you should stand.

Best Moments to Stand

You should stand if your hand is a hard 12 and the dealer’s up card is 4 to 6. Otherwise, hit one more time. Stand if you have a hard hand of 13-16 and the dealer’s up card is 2 to 6. Always stand on a hard hand of 17 or soft 19 and up.

Best Moments to Double

All moments for double down had to consider the dealer’s up card. For example, the best times to double when the dealer has 3 to 6 is when your hand is either a hard 9 or soft 17-18. The best hand to double is a hard 10 or 11 in any situation except if the dealer has a 10 or Ace.

Best Moments to Split

Aces and 8s are the best cards to split at any moment while the worst ones are 5s and 10s. Other than these, the splitting for other cards is very situational. Most blackjack strategies only consider the one mentioned above.

Best Moments to Surrender

Always surrender with a hard 16 if the dealer has a 9, 10, or Ace as an upcard. The only moment when you shouldn’t surrender at a hard 16 is when it is composed of two 8s, in which case you should split.

Side Note: Talk With Other Players

Online casinos like Luckyslots have a live chat for every blackjack room and all players’ hands are revealed. You can enjoy the company of other people or ask for advice when you’re indecisive. Have fun playing blackjack!