You need to beat the dealer without exceeding 21 in your card. Here are basic strategies that you can follow depending on your first 2 cards that you get so that you can minimize the risk of losing money.

When you’re in hard hand situation – without any ace in one of your first 2 cards

8 or less – Just hit
9 – Double if the dealer has 3 thru 6 – otherwise hit.
10 – Double if  the dealer has 2 thru 9 – otherwise hit
11 – Double if the dealer has 2 thru 10, but Hit if dealer has Ace
12 – Hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, Stand if the dealer has 4 thru 6, otherwise hit.
13 to 16 – Stand if the dealer has 2 thru 6, otherwise hit.
17 to 21 – Always Stand

When you’re in soft hand situation – with an ace in one of your first 2 cards

Ace 2 or Ace 3 – Double if the dealer has 5 or 6 – otherwise hit.
Ace 4 or Ace 5 – Double if the dealer has 4 thru 6 – otherwise hit.
Ace 6 – Double if the dealer has 3 thru 6 – otherwise hit.
Ace 7 – Stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8. Double 3 – thru 6 – otherwise hit.
Ace 8 or Ace 9 – Always Stand.

Pairs – when you have 2 cards with the same number.

A pair of Aces or Eights – Always split.
A pair of twos or threes – Split if the dealer has 2 – 7, otherwise hit.
A pair of fours – Split if the dealer has 5 or 6 – otherwise hit.
A pair of fives – Double if the dealer has 2 thru 9 – otherwise hit.
A pair of sixes – Split if the dealer has 2 thru 6 – otherwise hit.
A pair of sevens – Split 2 thru 7 – otherwise hit.
A pair of nines – Split 2 thru 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or Ace.
A pair of tens – Always Stand.

I hope that you will find this basic strategy to be useful and help you win lots of Blackjack games.

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