With basic blackjack strategy you assume the dealer’s hole card is a face card or a 10. Most of the times it won’t be but you have to assume it is. You need to turn the dealer’s cards into one of two hands, either a bust hand or a winning hand. If the dealer is showing a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 they are more likely to bust. If the dealer is showing a seven or anything higher, there is a good chance they will make a good hand of 18, 19, 20, or 21. Based on that information here is your online blackjack basic strategy.

* Always hit your hand if it is 11 or less.
* If your hand is 17 or more, unless it is a soft 17 always stand.
* If your hand is 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 and the dealer has one of those bust cards listed above (2-6), always stand. Your hand is weak but you want the dealer to bust. You may choose to hit if you have 12 and the dealer has a 2 or 3. That choice is yours. There is no right or wrong answer when you have 12 and the dealer’s up card is 2 or 3.
* If you have 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 and the dealer has a 7 or more showing, you need to hit. The dealer probably will beat you unless you can improve. Many people don’t like hitting 15 or 16 but it must be done in online blackjack basic strategy.
* When the dealer is showing 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 and you have 11 or less double down. You want to win more money whenever the dealer is weak.

Posted: May 3, 2009