Basic Blackjack Rules

Prior to commencement of play, the basic preliminaries will be sorted out. For example, the most important point from a financial aspect: the amount the player will bet.

With the single objective of betting the dealer in mind, play can then commence. To dispense with the house advantage, the player employs the basic strategy to the game which will reduce the odds to near even, with only a 0.5 per cent advantage for the house. Rules will vary from site to site, but basic strategy is efficient in any case. It will depend on the hand. Remembering that on a total of 21 the player wins:

• On a hand with a value of two to eight, the player should hit.
• On a hand with a value of 12 to 16, the player should hit only if the dealer shows a card value of seven or higher.
• On a hand with a value of 17 to 20, the player should stand.
• On a hand with a value of 9, the player should double down if the dealer shows a card between two and six
• On a hand with a value of 10, the player should double down if the dealer shows a card between 2 and 9
• On a hand of 11 the player should always double down unless the dealer shows an ace in which case insurance is advised.

From here, the online casino can vary their rules on whether the dealer stands on all 17 score values or hits on 17 instead.

In soft 17 games, the dealer will always stand while the opposite applies in hard 17.

However, you need to check which rule that applies to each casino in the rules and regulations, as the house advantage increases in hitting on a hand of soft 17.