When Should You Hit and Stay in Blackjack?
Recently updated on September 1st, 2023
In most cases, you are advised to stand on a 17, 19 or 20. This is if the dealer has a high card. Of course, it seems like an easy thing to do, but it can get difficult depending on the various blackjack nuances or game variations. In some cases, the dealer’s cards will be dealt face down.
In other variations, the dealer’s card is face up and down. Also, the number of decks that have been used in the games can affect your chances of getting a winning total. Remember, blackjack aims to get as close as possible to 21 without going over. You will need to hide cards and need to know when you should hit or stand.
Professional blackjack players prefer playing blackjack variations where there is a dealer up card. This allows you to make more informed decisions and can make it easier to predict your total. With that, you must consider hands such as soft 16 17, 18 or 19. Soft hands are those that have an Ace count as an 11.
Hit Or Stand Chart
Here is an easy way to remember whether you should hit in blackjack after the dinner shows their up card.
- Hit with a total of 5 to 8.
- If the dealer shows a 2 or 7 and you hold the 9, hit
- If you hold a ten and the dealer has a 10 or ace, hit
- Always stand with a total of 17 to 21
- if you have a total of 12 and the dealer shows a 4,5 or 6 stand.
- Should the dealer show a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 stand if you have a total of 13 to 16.
Hit or Stand and Multiple Deck Blackjack
When playing blackjack with multiple decks, how you hit or stand is slightly different. You will want to hit on a hard 17 or 11 should the dealer have an Ace in multi-deck blackjack. In double deck blackjack, don’t hit on an eight if it is against a two. Also, don’t hit on an 11 if the dealer has an ace.
Double Down or Split Strategy in Blackjack
Apart from when you should hit or stand in blackjack, there is also a tough decision of when you should double down or split. To Double Down refers to you doubling a bet after you have seen your initial cards. With this particular move, you will then have to draw an additional card.
The question is, when should you double down. You can consider doubling down if you hold an 11. If the dealer shows a 5 or 6 and you hold a ten, you can double down. If you hold a nine and the dealer shows a five or six, you can also double down.
In terms of splitting, you will be splitting your initial cards into two standard hands. The second wager for the second hand will have to match the original bet. Here are some of the best hands that you should split.
- It is best to split 28. If you were dealt a 9, it is best to split if the dealer holds a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 9.
- Split a pair of sixes if the dealer holds calls between 2 and 6.
- If the dealer has a card between 2 and 7 and you hold a pair of sevens split, the dealer holds a five or six, and you hold a pair of 4s.
- If you have a pair of twos or threes and the dealer holds cards between 2 and 7, split
Final Thought
Fully understanding when to hit or stand will require you to practice. |When playing blackjack for real money, learning how to manage and deal with different blackjack hands is important. This will allow you to make more informed decisions and therefore be able to make money.
While you can practice blackjack at land-based casinos, you can always use the free games offered at internet casinos. Find some of the best blackjack casinos online that we have played at and reviewed here. We have ensured that they are fair and safe to play at.
