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Blackjack: Basic Strategy (Part II)

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Refinements to Single Deck Basic Strategy: You do not have to incorporate the following into your basic strategy but for those of you who want a little extra edge:

  1. Hit 10-2 against the dealer's 4, but stand on any other hard 12 value hand.
  2. Hit 10-3 and 9-4 against the dealer's 2 but stand on any other hard 13 value hand.
  3. Stand on any three or four card total of 16 against a dealer's 10.
  4. Stand on 9-7 against a dealer's 10.

The following refinements to basic single deck strategy are for casinos that allow doubling after splitting pairs:

  1. Split 2,2 against a dealer's 2.
  2. Split 3,3 against a dealer's 2 or 3.
  3. Split 4,4 against a dealer's 5 or 6.

When you split pairs and receive a total 8, 9, 10 or 11 on the split hands, follow the doubling strategies. Correct use of doubling and splitting strategies adds to the player's advantage. Obviously, incorrect doubling and pair splitting strategies add to the casino's advantage. Under no circumstances should you deviate from proper basic strategy unless you're counting cards. Players who play based on their "feelings" have the unenviable fate of ultimately "feeling" their wallets get thinner and thinner.

Basic strategy for the multiple deck game.

Player's Hard Hand: Decision based on dealer's up card:
 8  Hit against everything. 
 9  Double 3, 4, 5, 6. Hit against everything else.
 10  Double on 2 through 9. Hit on 10 and Ace.
 11  Double on 2 through 10. Hit against Ace. 
 12  Hit against 2, 3. Stand 4, 5, 6. Hit against 7 through Ace.
 13  Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else.  
 14  Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else.
 15  Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else. (If surrender is allowed,  surrender against a 10).
 16  Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else.  (If surrender is allowed, surrender against 9, 10 and Age. Don't surrender 8.8 vs Ace.)  
 17  Stand against everything.
 18  Stand against everything.
 19  Stand against everything.
 20  Stand against everything.
 21  Stand against everything.
Soft Player Hands:
 Decision based on dealer's up card:
 A.2  Double on 5 and 6. Hit against all else. 
 A.3  Double on 5 and 6. Hit against all else. 
 A.4  Double on 4, 5, 6. Hit against all else. 
 A.5  Double on 4, 5, 6. Hit against all else.
 A.6  Double on 3 through 6. Hit against all else. 
 A.7  Double on 3 through 6. Stand on 2, 7, 8, Ace. Hit 9 and 10.
 A.8  Stand against everything.
 A.9  Stand against everything.
 Player's Pair:  
 Decision based on dealer's up card:
 A.A  Split against everything.
 2.2  Split 2 through 7. Hit against all else. 
 3.3  Split 2 through 7. Hit against all else. 
 4.4  Split on 5 and 6. Hit against all else. 
 5.5  Double on 2 through 9. Hit against all else. 
 6.6  Split on 2 through 6. Hit against all else. 
 7.7  Split on 2 through 7. Hit against all else. 
 8.8  Split  against everything. (If surrender is allowed surrender against a 10.) 
 9.9  Split 2 through 6, 8, 9. Stand against a 7,10, A.  
 10.10  Stand against everything.