When heading to a live or online casino, players will want to have an idea about what are the best hands in blackjack and how to play the game. There are many variables in a typical blackjack session and having a grasp on how to play and hands to watch for is key.
Keep reading to learn more about the best blackjack hands, some aspects of the game to remember, and also a look at some of the worst hands.
Best Blackjack Hands
Those new to the game may be wondering: “What is the best hand in blackjack?” The simple answer is the best hand is an actual blackjack. Players hope to get as close to 21 without going over while also beating the dealer.
When it comes to blackjack winning hands, numbered cards count the same value as their number while face cards count as 10 and aces count as 1 or 11. It’s important to realize what constitutes a blackjack. Here’s a look at that aspect of the game as well as a few more concepts associated with this best hand in most blackjack variations:
- Any ace plus a 10-value card, such as A-K, A-Q, A-J, or A-10, is termed as a blackjack.
- Finding this hand pays a premium of 3 to 2 in some casinos and 6 to 5 in others.
- A blackjack hand is paid out immediately by the dealer.
- This is the best hand in blackjack and what players are hoping to get.
More of the Best Hands in Blackjack
Getting a blackjack on every hand would be great, but this obviously isn’t going to happen. There are some other great hands that give players a great shot at winning. Here’s a look at a few of those.
- 20 –This can be two face cards such as K-Q, or simply drawing to 20. Land this hand and you will win about 70% of the time.
- 18 and 19 – These are two more strong hands, but they can still be beaten fairly often. You still have a decent chance of winning blackjack with these two however.
- 17 –Another decent hand, but also fairly often a loser. Hopefully players at least get a push if not a win. Having the dealer stand on soft 17, a favorable rule for players, helps this hand as well.
- A-A – When dealt two aces, players should always split and you’ll then receive one additional card with each. This gives players an excellent shot at landing two winning blackjack hands.
- 11 –This is a great hand to double down on against any dealer upcard and offers a chance to score a win of twice your original bet.
- 9 and 10 –These can also be great blackjack hands as well for doubling down, but it’s important to consult a basic strategy chart to know when to make this play. With 10, double against any dealer upcard except 10 or ace. With a 9, double against 3, 4, 5, or 6.
Worst Blackjack Hands
On the other end of the spectrum, what are some of the worst hands in blackjack? These tend to be hands that are unlikely to win on their own or to fare well when drawing more cards.
For example, a total of 16 is generally seen as the worst hand in blackjack because it is not high enough to regularly be a winner. Your chance of busting with 16 is about 62% and the casino only stands on 17 or higher. Even if the dealer stands on soft 17, this hand is usually a tough spot for players.
Therefore, a hand like 8-8 can be very troublesome. Players are better off splitting those eights into two separate hands in all circumstances with the chance to draw a bigger hand with a better potential to win.
Players face similar challenges with hands like 13, 14, and 15 against upcards like 7, 8, 9, 10, or ace. Players with a 13 have a 39% chance of busting when taking a hit. But that balloons to 56% for 14 and 58% for 15.
The best plan in these situations is to follow basic strategy when it comes to hitting or standing. If surrender is available, a basic strategy chart will also show when using this option is available. Surrender allows you to only lose half your bet and benefits players in the long run when dealt weak hands.
Blackjack Soft Hands
Soft hands can also be beneficial in blackjack. These are hands with an ace that won’t bust even if a player takes a hit.
For example, A-6 is a soft 17. A player taking a hit has a major opportunity to improve this hand without taking the risk of busting. These hands offer some real flexibility and any ace, 2, 3, or 4 improves this hand.
Soft hands can also help the dealer as well however. Hitting a soft17 works against the player, so finding a game where the dealer stands in this scenario is favorable.
How to Play Blackjack Soft Hands?
Soft hands can also give players some extra opportunities to double down. According to basic strategy, players with A-2 to A-8 will want to double (if available) against any 6. With A-2 through A-7, you will also want to double down against any 5 as well.
There are also other key scenarios where players with A-2 to A-7 will also want to double down. Using these options offers more chances to collect some winnings against weak dealer hands. Consult a basic strategy chart to improve your chances in these instances.
Blackjack Hard Hands
Hard hands are those without an ace or where an ace is counted as 1. For example, a 10-7 has a total of 17 and 3-7 has a total of 10. Unlike these hands, players have a higher chance of busting when taking a hit.
How to Play Blackjack Hard Hands?
Using basic strategy offers players the best chance at making the right decision mathematically when it comes to hard hands. For example, a player dealt a 9-7 has the dreaded 16. According to basic strategy, you’ll want to stand against 2 through 6 and hit against 7, 8, 9, 10, or ace.
A player with 5-6 for an 11 will want to double against all dealer upcards. A player with 5-5 for 10 will double down against any dealer up card except for 10 or ace, and then will simply hit.
Additionally, players will always want to hit on hands of 8 or lower and stand on hands 17 or higher. Making use of basic strategy offers players the best decision not simply based on hopes or assumptions, but the odds of winning with a hit or standing, doubling down, or splitting.
Conclusion
A key part of learning how to play is understanding how the action plays out as well as knowing the blackjack hand rankings. The goal is to get as close to 21 without busting while also beating the dealer. The best hands get players right up against that 20 or 21 for more probable winners.
However, other hard and soft hands can be favorable against potentially weaker dealer hands. These hands may not require players to take more cards and risk busting –instead letting the dealer hopefully bust. Practice basic strategy to give yourself the best shot at winning.
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- Basic Spanish 21 rules
- How to play California blackjack?
- Infinite blackjack side bets
- What are side bets in blackjack?
- EU blackjack strategy
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- How many decks are in blackjack?
- Blackjack Charlie rule
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- What is the 212 blackjack strategy?
- What is a blackjack tournament?
- Casino blackjack etiquette
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Frequently Asked Question About Blackjack Hands
How many blackjack hands are there?
When not considering card suits, which are irrelevant in blackjack, there are 34 starting hands when including all 10-value pairs as one hand.
What happens if I get a blackjack and the dealer doesn’t?
You win the hand and get paid out at 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 depending on the casino’s payout rules.
What is the best hand in blackjack?
Any ace and a 10-value card is the best hand in blackjack. You will get paid out at 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 depending on the casino’s payout rules.
What is the difference between a soft and a hard hand in blackjack?
A soft hand contains an ace and a hard hand does not. A soft hand is not in jeopardy of busting when taking a hit while a hard hand can potentially bust when drawing another card.
What is the best hand to hit in blackjack?
When to hit should be based on basic blackjack strategy. However, players will generally hit against solid dealer upcards such as a 10.
What is the luckiest hand in blackjack?
That is in the eye of the beholder. Being dealt a blackjack is obviously a nice stroke of luck. Drawing the perfect 5 to a hand like 8-8 is also a nice piece of luck. But knowing basic strategy offers the best chance to win without having to always hope to get lucky.
What is the worst hand in blackjack?
The worst hand in blackjack is typically considered a hard 16 (e.g., a 10 and a 6). This hand puts you in a tough spot because hitting risks busting, but standing leaves you vulnerable to losing if the dealer has a stronger hand.
