With some basic strategy you can greatly improve your Blackjack game with
four or more decks. It should be mentioned that this type of Blackjack I well
suited to players that are already familiar with the game but the structure of
Blackjack is simple and therefore no one should feel discouraged to give it a
try. The most important is to get the basics down. From this point anyone can
work up their gaming with some solid advice and strategy.
Read the Hand Chart Right
It is easy for an experienced player to understand the hand charts offered
for free or for a fee. The left column of the chart describes your hand while
the top row gives the card of the dealer that is open on the table. It helps to
be familiar with abbreviations to quickly read the chart especially if you plan
to use it during a game. A very good strategy is to memorize the most important
decisions so that you won't have to interrupt your concentration by searching
for them on the card.
When to Hit
When you are playing Blackjack with four decks or more you have the option
of having the dealer stand or hit on soft 17. A general strategy for hitting is
to do so no matter what the dealer's card is if you have 8 on your hand. Try to
remember this to begin with and then add on other combinations that call for a
hit.
When to Stand
With a 17 on hand you should stand unless the game is played with dealer
hitting on soft 17 and the dealer's up-card is an Ace. In this scenario the most
common advice is to surrender if it is allowed. No matter if the dealer hits or
stands on soft 17 it is good strategy to stand with a 10-10.
Splitting
There are many situations where you will benefit from splitting and you will
learn to recognize them by simply playing a lot. It is always recommended to
split with A-A and this regardless of what card is up from the dealer. With an
8-8 on hand you should also split except for the situation when the dealer has
an Ace up. In this case you should try an surrender if this is possible.
Double If You Can
With 11 on hand it is a good idea to double except for when you are playing
a Blackjack game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and his up-card is an Ace.
In general for both versions of Blackjack it is mostly advised to double when
you have a hand between 9 and 11.
Think For Yourself
As good as a strategy is there are always the element of luck to consider and
the fact that you need to recognize the scenarios by yourself. Pre-made
strategies are good to work with to some extent but real success comes when you
can figure your moves out by your own calculations and experience. This is
something you will only reach by playing a lot.
