Hard Hand Blackjack
Basic Strategy Guide
- Hard Hand Blackjack Tools
- Hard Hand Blackjack Vs
- Blackjack Hand Calculator
- Soft Hand Blackjack
- Blackjack Hands Per Hour
- Blackjack Hand Chart
Undoubtedly, hitting a hard total of 15 is not the easiest decision to make at the blackjack table, especially against the dealer’s 10. Nevertheless, it has to be done because it results in the lowest possible negative EV for the player. The main idea behind hitting 15 against a 10 is that it gives you a shot at improving your situation.
There are two types of hard hand in blackjack: those without aces, and those with an ace. If a hand has an ace, it’s classed as a hard hand when the ace counts as 1. This rule applies so you don’t risk to go over 21. For example, if you have a 10, a 3 and an ace, the hand is hard. Let’s break it down. Playing a hand of blackjack is not hard, compared to other games. The basic rules are easy to follow, though mastering how to win at blackjack is a bit harder. This blackjack 101 guide provides the basic rules of blackjack and a few tips to make help you improve your game. The Worst Hand in Blackjack By Henry Tamburin. However, if you have a hard 16 hand consisting of three or more cards, then you should stand when the dealer has a 10 showing. The reason is that you have consumed a few of the small cards that you need if.
Hard Hands:
Hard Hand Blackjack Tools
Soft Hands:Pairs:
Hard hands are called this because there is not really any slack for hitting and drawing high numbers without busting. Usually the big difference between the soft hand and the hard hand is a hard hand doesn't normally contain an ace and you have a higher risk of going over 21 points.
Basically, the strategy for hard hands is simple. Players should always hit on a hard 8 or less as our blackjack basic strategy guide states. On the other end, players should always stand when there is a hard 17 or higher due to the high risk of busting on a ten. The real strategy for hard hands happens for all the hands in between.
Stiff Hand
Hard hands usually end up being stiff hands, which are point totals of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. These are the worst hands a player can have because there is a high probability of going bust. The only way this wouldn't be must of a problem is if the dealer also has a stiff card facing up, which is normally a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Any 10 point card or face card is going to make a stiff hand go bust according to basic strategy.
There are a few great hard hands that players can use for double down options. A hard 9, 10 and 11 are great because hitting a ten card would give the player a powerful hand to stand on with a good chance of winning. Check out our basic strategy pages in the navigation bar above to learn how to play hard hands and the reasons behind the strategy.
Two terms you need to learn if you want to improve your Blackjack playing skills are so-called soft and hard hands. This is very important as these two terms are often used in Blackjack literature and strategy articles. Basically, the concept is quite simple with soft hands being all hands that contain an ace while hard hands being hands with no aces included.
If you have ever joined a Blackjack table and haven’t understood the rule reading “the dealer must hit soft 17”, you have landed on the right page. Let’s learn how you can make use of soft and hard hands while playing Blackjack and get as close to 21 as possible.
Differences between Soft Hands and Hard Hands
Hard Hand Blackjack Vs
The biggest difference between a soft hand and a hard hand is that one cannot go bust when a soft hand is dealt to them. One of the basic rules of Blackjack is that exceeding 21 results in a bust and when you are dealt a hand consisting of any card and an ace, you cannot go above 21. This is due to the fact that an ace in a hand in Blackjack can be counted as 1 or 11. When you have a soft hand, you can hit until you create a winning hand. Let’s say that you have been dealt a 7 and an ace. Such a hand can be worth 8 or 18. You can hit and get a card that will complete a hand closer or equal to 21.
Blackjack Hand Calculator
On the other hand, hard hands consist of cards with a set value. Because of that, this hand can exceed 21 when hitting and result in a bust. When you are dealt a hard hand, it is important to know which move is advisable to make according to the proper strategy. In this case, you will have to make moves (hitting, standing, doubling down or splitting) according to the dealer’s face-up card. Although this won’t guarantee a winning hand, you can improve your chances of winning. The hard hand strategy combined with card counting can help you get an advantage over the casino.
Soft Hand Blackjack
Blackjack Hands Per Hour
Soft 17 Rule
Blackjack Hand Chart
You have probably stumbled upon Blackjack variants in which the dealer has to hit on a soft 17. This rule increases the house edge which may not be most favourable for a player. Yet, this should not turn you off as other rules may decrease the house edge giving you even chances to beat the game. However, when playing a Blackjack variant with this rule in play, you have to pay attention to a few things. If the game allows doubling down and the Soft 17 rule is used, you should go for it if you have a hand of 11 and the dealer has an Ace. Doubling down is also recommended when you have a soft 19 or 18 and the dealer shows a 6 or 2 respectively.
If you opt for a Blackjack game with the Soft 17 rule, you will have to be ready to adjust your playing strategy to decrease the house advantage which is evident in this case. On the other hand, when the dealer has to stand on all 17 hands, both soft and hard, players will have the advantage. This is the general rule that is stated on the betting layout just like the Soft 17 rule. If you are looking for general advice about the Soft 17 rule, we can say that single deck games are more favourable to players when this rule is applied while with 2 and 6-deck games, it is better if the dealer must stand on soft 17.