Tips for Playing Blackjack
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With the recent launch of Blackjack King for Android, iOS, and Facebook (all for free!) we decided to follow up our 5 Tips for Phase 10 article with some Blackjack tips to help players with some basic strategies. Blackjack is more than just trying to get as close to 21 as possible. You must consider what the dealer is showing, how likely it is they will bust, how you can best use your own cards, and follow the system no matter what to keep the house odds low . Keep in mind in Blackjack King the dealer will always hit on a soft 17 and lower. Here are 5 tips to help players improve their game:
1. When to Double Down
After being dealt your initial two cards, players can double the amount of their original bet. In this case you will receive one more card (but only one more card) from the dealer, and if you win you will receive twice the chips. Doubling down can be extremely beneficial because it gives players the opportunity to beat the dealer when he is at his weakest. Generally it is only a good idea to double down when your first two cards add up to 9, 10 or 11 because you have a great opportunity to end up with 19, 20, or 21.Check out the charts in the other sections to see exactly when to double down!
Here is a chart that shows when the dealer is at his weakest:
2. How to play Hard Hands
Hard hands in Blackjack are any hands that do not contain an Ace, and there are specific ways to play each one to ensure the highest chance of winning.
As a beginner it’s best to follow these strategies, but as you gain experience you can make some judgment calls based on what cards have already been played and gut feelings.
3. How to play Soft Hands
A soft hand is one that contains an Ace and another card. They are a bit more complicated to play than hard hands because an Ace has a value of 1 or 11.
Here is a list of the specific ways soft hands should be played to ensure the highest chance of winning:
4. Splitting Pairs
When you are dealt a pair in your opening two cards (face cards count as 10s), you can split them up. These two cards are then played independently as if they are two completely separate hands. Although it can be tempting, there are only certain hands that a player should split. Aces and 8s should be split no matter what because you turn a bad hand into two opportunities at great hands. Other pairs depend on what the dealer is showing. Splitting is similar to doubling down in the sense that it decreases the dealers edge and players should therefore be patient and wait until the perfect opportunities to split and double.
Rake is the scaled commission fee taken by a cardroom operating a poker game. It is generally 5 to 10 percent of the pot in each poker hand, up to a predetermined maximum amount. There are also other non-percentage ways for a casino to take the rake. Some cardrooms will not take a percentage rake in any community card poker game like Texas hold...
