Blackjack Strategy Cards

by J. Phillip Vogel

The three Blackjack Strategy Cards below include:
Strategy Card: Hard Totals.
Strategy Card: Soft Totals
Blackjack Strategy Card for splitting pairs followed by Game Variations included in the Learn to Play Blackjack program.
 
Basic Strategy
Despite its simplistic premise, this is one of the most difficult games in the casino.  But with an extremely low vigorish—sometimes reaching 0.18%--it can also be one of the most profitable.  Or at least it is if you master basic strategy.
 
Although daunting and at times confusing, basic strategy it is really nothing more than a breakdown of the optimal way to play every possible situation based on the house’s rules, your current hand and the dealer’s exposed card. 
Below is a sample blackjack strategy card for use with multiple deck games.

Dealer's Upcard

Player   2       3       4       5       6       7       8       9      T      A

17        S       S       S      S       S       S      S       S      S      S

16        S       S       S      S       S       H      H       H      H      H

15        S       S       S      S       S       H      H       H      H      H

14        S       S       S      S       S       H      H       H      H      H

13        S       S       S      S       S       H      H       H      H      H

12        H       H       S      S       S       H      H       H      H      H

11        D       D       D      D       D       D      D       D      D      H

10        D       D       D      D       D       D      D       D      H      H

9          H       D       D      D       D       H      H       H      H      H

8          H       H       H      H       H       H      H       H      H      H

H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double if allowed; If not, hit.

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Basic Strategy Rules for Soft Totals

H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double-If not, hit. D/S=Double-If not, stand

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  Blackjack Strategy Cards: Splitting Pairs

Basic Strategy Rules for Pair Splitting Dealer’s Upcard
Player Cards	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
(A,A)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
(T,T)	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
(9,9)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	N
(8,8)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
(7,7)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N
(6,6)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N	N
(5,5)	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
(4,4)	N	N	N	Y	Y	N	N	N	N	N
(3,3)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N
(2,2)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N

Y=Split the pair    N=Don't split

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Remember, optimal basic strategy varies with the version of the game that you play, and there are tables such as these that outline exactly what action to take given the circumstance.  And while they may be challenging to memorize, if making money as a player is you’re ultimate goal, there’s simply no other option than utilizing blackjack strategy cards.

Variations on a Theme
While the traditional version is often the game of choice among blackjack enthusiasts, there are many other exciting and profitable variants available in both traditional and online casinos.  Although the basic premise for each variation is akin to traditional blackjack, each has its own set of rules and strategy.  

Game
Double Exposure BJ: Offers many of the same traditional  rules except: Both dealer cards are exposed, dealer wins all ties except on a natural, players may split only once, player blackjack pays 1:1.

European Advanced BJ: Available in regular and high limit versions.  In this double-deck game blackjack pays 3:2, the dealer stands on soft 17, and both double down and split options are available.

Super Fun 21: Very liberal single deck version. Rules include: Dealer hits soft 17, player may double after a split double on any number of cards, late surrender is availabe as is double down rescue. Blackjack pays even money.

Blackjack Strategy Cards is followed by Game Selection
OR
Return to Learn to Play Blackjack Program

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