Tips and Strategies for Blackjack

Here are some basic rules to abide by when playing BlackJack - If you stick to these rules only, then you should statistically have the best return in the long run.

• If your first two cards are equal to eleven or less you always draw another card.
• No matter what card the Dealer is showing you must always assume that the dealer has a ten hidden.
• If your cards total 12 to 16, "the danger zone', whether you draw or stand depends on what the dealer is showing.
• If the dealer has a card showing between 7 to an Ace you should draw until you are over 16.
• If the dealer has a card showing between 2 to 6 you should not draw another card. Note: There is one exception to the rule above. If you have 12 and the dealer is showing a 2 or 3 you should draw one more card only.
• If you have cards valued between 17 to 20 you should never draw another card. The only time you should draw another card under the above circimstances is when you have a soft 17 or 18. Note: A soft 17 or 18 occurs when your hand contains an Ace (which is valued at 1 or 11) and a 6 or 7.
• When the player has a soft 17 or 18 it is a good idea to draw if the dealer is showing any card from a 9 to an Ace.
• Insurance is often not recommended, since you are betting that the dealer will receive a BlackJack (21). You are playing to beat the dealer not bet that he will beat you.