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Blackjack When to Hit and Stand

rattleeyes17

New Member
Messages
1
I haven't been playing black jack for very long, but I find myself hitting a little too much, even when I've got smaller numbered cards. What is your technique for knowing when to hit and stand?
 

Turner

New Member
Messages
2
Look up blackjack basic strategy. its all over the web

Its an algorithm which must be completely memorised.

Something like-a-dis
http://www.blackjackclassroom.com/basic-strategy-charts/
 

Moderator 1

New Member
Messages
2
These days the key to winning at BJ is to hole card aka known as card spooking. This is where the money is. It's NOT in counting.
 

Chappedcraps

New Member
Messages
5
You can play the algorithms or play the odds. I like to play the odds.......they're simpler. What's half of 21? 15.5 and round up if you have a higher up card. From there, just play it by ear and let the numbers be your hunch.
 

BJPenn

New Member
Messages
19
I agree with Chappedcraps, you're better off playing the odds as it takes a lot of work to memorize the algorithms. Also, you need to get a feel for the table you are at and the flow of the game you are involved in. Once you pass 16, hitting should be a rarity, be more cautious at first and be more aggressive when you feel the win is probable.
 

Got A Buck?

New Member
Messages
24
Play the odds. You can take 16 as a benchmark, but remember everything played prior to your current hand and adjust that benchmark as needed knowing there are 52 cards being played.
 

Stealth

Member
Messages
150
Play the odds. You can take 16 as a benchmark, but remember everything played prior to your current hand and adjust that benchmark as needed knowing there are 52 cards being played.

In single deck, what about 2, 4, 6, 8 decks?

Play the odds is a gamblers statement. Have the advantage is a professional statement.

If you are trying to give people advice for a recreational game then good. Otherwise your advice is shallow and damaging to their success. Not trying to upset you, just stating the facts.
 

Tredger

New Member
Messages
62
I am inclined to agree. I would not want to rely on my 'hunch' more than the logic of a good, proven system. I think that I would prefer to learn the strategy even if it takes a long time. In the end it will be worth it.
 

QueenOfHearts

New Member
Messages
80
Stealth, you seem to know a lot about this and in one of your previous messages you alluded to being able to teach others the strategy. Is it possible for me to learn it from you as well? I have been trying to learn on my own but there is just too much information out there and some of it contradicting.
 

Koontz

New Member
Messages
62
I think that this game involves a lot of thinking on your feet as with most other casino games, but I believe that with enough practice these strategies may start to seem a little simpler and easier to grasp. For us noobs it only seems so hard because we're just starting out and learning them for the first time.
 

Hartz

Member
Messages
57
I can't make up my mind which seems better for a player like me between the card counting algorithm and the spooking strategy. I think it would be too confusing for me to try and learn both at the same time, wouldn't it?
 

Stealth

Member
Messages
150
I can't make up my mind which seems better for a player like me between the card counting algorithm and the spooking strategy. I think it would be too confusing for me to try and learn both at the same time, wouldn't it?

You say this as if they are both "available" games. Blackjack is readily available but with a variety of rules. Spooking blackjack is looking for unicorns and you will occasionally find one. When you do, it will be short lived and must be attacked quickly and with vigor ($$$$). It take normal people about 60 days of effective practice to master card counting. One step at a time.

The answer to your confusion is to learn to count first. Think of the knowledge to spook as a a graduate program compared to the undergrad of counting.

Do you have any idea what percent advantages you may encounter in counting versus spooking? If not, how do you know how much to bet and how much risk you are taking?
 

kenzow

New Member
Messages
95
What is your technique for knowing when to hit and stand?
How about determining when to stand according to your hand and the dealer's face up card? If the hand totals 17 or above, stand. On the other hand, if the dealer's face up card is 6 or below but your hand totals 13 and above, stand.
 

Stealth

Member
Messages
150
How about determining when to stand according to your hand and the dealer's face up card? If the hand totals 17 or above, stand. On the other hand, if the dealer's face up card is 6 or below but your hand totals 13 and above, stand.

If I have A,6 and the dealer has a 6 then I double, not stand.
If I have A,7 and the dealer has a 6 then I double, not stand.
If I have A,8 and the game rules are Hit soft 17 and the dealer has a 6 then I double, otherwise I stand.
If I have A, 2 and the dealer has a 5 or 6 then I double.
.....And there are several others.

This post is SOMEWHAT ACCURATE but gets my most often response to blackjack plays. It depends. At the risk of being a broken record, LEARN BASIC STRATEGY! Basic Strategy charts are intimidating with about 300 items you need to know but you can learn Basic Strategy by memorizing 28 rules.

Here is the most missed rule:

Player has A,7 then rule is Double if dealer has 2,3,4,5,6 stand if dealer has 7,8 otherwise hit.

So the phrase to memorize is "Double down 3 thru 6, stand 7 and 8 otherwise hit". You now know basic strategy for all occurrences of you having A,7!

27 more and you are done.
 
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