Blackjack: Basic Strategies
Blackjack is a game rife with strategies and techniques. There are basic ones, and of course the more complex. However, it is best to note that even the most complex strategy ever developed isn't entirely full proof -- unless cheating is a part of that strategy of course. And sometimes, a well applied basic strategy is all the player would ever need to have a good game of blackjack.
So what exactly makes up a basic strategy? Keen observation and a fair degree of memorization are required. You need to know your cards, the dealer's face up card, and at the same time you need to ascertain the odds of a bust from either you or the dealer.
Every blackjack strategy -- no matter how complex or simple they may be -- takes into account the fact that out of the 52 cards in the deck, 16 have a value of 10. The assumption that the second card of the dealer will have a value of 10 is then incorporated by a player using a basic strategy -- even though a card worth 10 doesn't come up in a lot of instances.
The dealer's cards (aside from the up card) fall into two categories; cards that would likely bust the dealer, or cards that would likely give the dealer a good hand. Either way, these cards should be based and dependent upon the up card of the dealer.
An up card with a value of Two to Six will usually bust the dealer, with a Five and Six being the cards that would most likely lead to the dealer having a bust. When this happens, all the player needs to do in most occasions is to simply avoid a bust. No need for big risks just to get a hand close to 21.
If however, the dealer's up card is a Seven or any card higher than that, the dealer's odds of making a good hand is higher than if it's Six or below. A hand totaling 18 to 21 should be expected in these occasions. What the player needs to do here is to grab another card if the value of his/her hand is 17 or below. Taking risks is more often than not advisable during instances such as these.
Most blackjack strategies being used today revolves around the rules mentioned above. Applying this basic strategy in your next blackjack game may lead to a more rewarding and enjoyable experience.