FAQs

Should I hit or stand on a 12 vs a dealer’s three?

You have a weak hand and the dealer has a bust card. In this situation, you must look at your potential to make a better hand and hit.

Why is a soft 18 considered a weak hand if the dealer has a 10?

If the dealer has a 30% chance of their next card being a 10, then it beats a soft 18. According to basic blackjack strategy, hitting gives you a chance to make a better hand.

What are soft and hard hands in blackjack?

Soft hands have an Ace as one of the starting cards. Given Aces are worth one or 11, these are called ‘soft’ hands because their value is flexible.

Is there a particular strategy I should use for soft hands in blackjack?

Basic strategy incorporates the optimal move for soft hands in any scenario in blackjack. No additional strategy is needed for these hand values.

Should I split my 9s if the dealer has an eight too?

The only time you should never split a pair of 9s is when the dealer’s up-card is a seven, 10, or an Ace. On these occasions, you should stand. Lesson four on splitting in season two of Blackjack Academy will tell you the optimal time to split in any blackjack scenario.

Do dealers know basic strategy?

Blackjack dealers will have some knowledge of basic strategy at least, but they cannot use it. They must follow the casino’s blackjack table rules and either stand or hit on a soft 17.

Can you use blackjack cheat sheets on these hands in the casino?

You can bring basic strategy charts to the casino to use on any hand. Some casinos will even sell you basic strategy cards at their premises.