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Of course, most players just say "hit" but "hit me" has a certain swagger that is alluring. This article is not about the cool factor associated with Blackjack phrases but how to approach the game – in a way that not only looks but is competent.
Let us begin by defining our terms. "Hit" means that you want a card and "stand" means that you do not want a card. Now, what else do you need to know? Well, that clever statistician who lives next to you would tell you that knowing when to hit and when to stand - in basic scenarios - could increase your odds of winning by about 1.5 %. Sweet. So let's get into six common scenarios. (You should put your concentrating hat on.)
Scenario 1
You have 17 points in your hand. Stand. There is one exception - your hand includes a soft Ace. (Say you are holding an Ace, a Jack, and a six. ) Why? When you are holding 17 points in your hand, your chances of going bust are way higher than your chances of building a better hand. So stand.
Scenario 2
You have 11 points – or less – in your hand. Hit. You cannot possibly go bust if you hit with a hand worth 11 points or less.
Scenario 3
The dealer is showing an Ace. Uh oh. First, know that the dealer has a good chance of hitting Blackjack in this scenario. (Cards with a point value of 10 are the most common in the deck.) That statistician we referred to earlier would tell you that the dealer has a 4/13 chance of hitting 21. And if he does not, he continues on his quest with a soft Ace. You want to get as close to 21 as you can too – of course. If you have 17, stand. If you have 16 or less, hit.
Scenario 4
The dealer is showing a ten, a Jack, a Queen, or an Ace. What would our pal the statistician have to say in such a scenario? Well, the dealer has a 1/13 chance of hitting 21 and 4 times in 13 she will hit 20. (Yes, 20 is the second best hand in the game.) You are sitting in a good position. Stay on 17 and hit on anything below.
Scenario 5
The dealer is showing a 7, an 8, or a 9. Blackjack is not in the cards for this dealer – though a strong hand of 17 points or more is. You'll need a robust hand to take the dealer down. Your best response to this scenario? If you have an Ace or a 10, hit – and perhaps double down. (To double down is to double your original bet. You can do this after receiving two cards – at most casinos.) If you then sit with a 17 stand – with a 16 or less – hit.
Scenario 6
The dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6. Yay. You should be feeling quite positive. If you have 9, 10, or 11 doubling down may very well be the way to go. Hit on 8 or less and stand if you have 12 or more.