How Do Blackjack Deviations Work?

In blackjack, a deviation is simply a change from the basic strategy play. The most common deviations are discussed below.

One of the more common deviations is to always split aces and eights, regardless of the dealer’s up-card. The logic behind this is that you’re more likely to win with two hands of eight than one hand of 16, and you’re more likely to win with two hands of 11 than one hand of 21.

Another common deviation is to always stand on 17 or higher, regardless of the dealer’s up-card. The logic here is that you’re more likely to lose if you hit when you should stand, so it’s better to just play it safe and stand.

A less common deviation is to always double down on 11, regardless of the dealer’s up-card. The logic behind this is that 11 is a very strong hand, and you’re more likely to win if you double down than if you just hit.

A final deviation that isn’t used nearly as often as the others is to always hit on 16 or lower, regardless of the dealer’s up-card. The logic here is that your chances of busting are high if you hit on 16, but if you stand then you’re more likely to lose anyway.

So, those are some of the most common blackjack deviations. They’re all based on simple logic and they can all help you win more money in the long run. Just remember, when you deviate from basic strategy you’re also increasing your risk of losing money in the short term, so don’t go too crazy with it!.