Blackjack tips and strategy

Here is Paddy's guide on when to Hit, Stand or Split your hand. We have provided a grid below for you play your hand according to basic strategy. Use it by looking at the row running across the top of the table to find the value of the dealers up card. And then look at the column running down the side of the table to find the value of your hand. As this is not a real land based casino you can take your time to check your hand and the dealers up card.

Your hand Dealers Up Card
  2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A
17-20 S S S S S S S S S S
16 S S S S S H H H H H
15 S S S S S H H H H H
14 S S S S S H H H H H
13 S S S S S H H H H H
12 H H S S S H H H H H
11 D D D D D D D D D D
10 D D D D D D D D D H
9 D D D D D H H H H H
5+3,6+2 H H H D D H H H H H
A+8 S S S S D S S S S S
A+7 S D D D D S S H H H
A+6 D D D D D H H H H H
A+5 H H D D D H H H H H
A+4 H H D D D H H H H H
A+3 H H D D D H H H H H
A+2 H H D D D H H H H H
A+A SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
10+10 S S S S S S S S S S
9+9 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
8+8 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
7+7 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
6+6 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H
5+5 D D D D D D D D H H
4+4 H H SP SP SP H H H H H
3+3 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H
2+2 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H

How to Play Hard Hands

  • 8 or less Always 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, Hit if dealer has Ace.
  • 12 Hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, Stand if the dealer has 4 thru 6, otherwise hit.
  • 13-16 Stand if the dealer has2 thru 6, otherwise hit.
  • 17-21 Always Stand

How to Play Soft Hands

A soft hand is when one of your starting hands contains an ace.

If you have:

  • 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

How to Play Pairs

If you have a pair of:

  • Aces or 8's Always split.
  • 2's or 3's Split if the dealer has 2 - 7, otherwise hit.
  • 4's Split if the dealer has 4 or 5 - otherwise hit.
  • 5's Double if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
  • 6's Split if the dealer has 2 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
  • 7's Split 2 thru 7 - otherwise hit.
  • 9's Split 2 thru 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or Ace.
  • 10's Always Stand.

Whatever you take from the advice above, make sure you remember the following for points

  1. Always split a pair of aces.
  2. Always split a pair of 8s.
  3. Always stand on 17 and up
  4. Always double on 11