Blackjack is a popular card game that has been around for centuries. The objective of the game is to get a hand value of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over.
While hitting is an important part of the game, there are times when it’s better to stand and not hit. In this tutorial, we’ll explore when you should not hit in blackjack.
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When the Dealer Shows a Strong Hand
If the dealer’s up-card is a 7 or higher, it’s usually not a good idea to hit if you have a total hand value of 12 or higher. This is because if you hit and get a high card, there’s a good chance you’ll bust. It’s better to stand and let the dealer take the risk of busting.
Example: If your hand consists of a 10 and a 2 (total value of 12) and the dealer has an up-card of 7, it’s recommended that you stand instead of hitting.
When You Have a Hard Total Hand Value of 17 or Higher
If your hand consists of cards that don’t include an Ace (i.e., hard total), and your total hand value is 17 or higher, it’s best to stand. This is because if you hit, there’s a high probability that you’ll bust.
Example: If your hand consists of a 10 and a 7 (total value of 17), it’s recommended that you stand instead of hitting.
When You Have Soft Hands
A soft hand is one that contains an Ace which can be counted as either one or eleven. If you have a soft hand, it’s usually recommended that you hit since there’s no risk of busting. However, there are times when you should not hit.
Example: If your hand consists of an Ace and a 6 (total value of 17), and the dealer has an up-card of 9, 10, or Ace, it’s better to stand instead of hitting. This is because if you hit and get a high card, you’ll have a hard total hand value which puts you at risk of busting.
When You Have Pair of Aces
A pair of Aces is considered a strong hand in blackjack. However, it’s not always recommended to hit if you have a pair of Aces.
Example: If your hand consists of a pair of Aces and the dealer has an up-card of 10 or Ace, it’s better to stand instead of hitting. This is because if you split the Aces and get a low card for one or both hands, you’ll end up with a weak hand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hitting is an important part of blackjack but there are times when it’s better to stand instead. It’s important to remember these situations so that you can make the best decision for your hand. By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of winning in blackjack.
- You should not hit when the dealer shows a strong hand
- You should not hit when you have a hard total hand value of 17 or higher
- You should not hit when you have soft hands that put you at risk of busting
- You should not hit when you have a pair of Aces and the dealer shows a strong up-card
