Card Sharp

Blackjack answers

Straight answers to the blackjack questions players ask most, from someone who dealt the game for 15 years. Each page gives the play first, then the reason.

These answers are for a 6 deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, and you can double on any two cards, including after a split.

Start with the basic strategy chart if you want every play on one page, or with how to play blackjack if you are new to the game.

Rules and basics

• Blackjack basic strategy chart
• How to play blackjack
• Blackjack rules for beginners
• Blackjack card values
• Hard vs soft hands in blackjack
• What does soft 17 mean?
• Dealer stands on soft 17: what it means
• Blackjack dealer rules
• Should I take insurance in blackjack?
• Should I take even money on blackjack?
• When to double down in blackjack
• When to split in blackjack
• When to hit and when to stand in blackjack
• What does double after split mean?
• Can you hit after splitting Aces?
• Is 21 after splitting Aces a blackjack?
• What does blackjack pays 3 to 2 mean?
• What is a push in blackjack?
• Blackjack hand signals
• Blackjack terms every player should know
• Does blackjack basic strategy work?
• Common blackjack mistakes beginners make

Pairs: when to split

• Should I split 2s?
• Should I split 3s?
• Should I split 4s?
• Should I split 5s?
• Should I split 6s?
• Should I split 7s?
• Should I split 8s?
• Should I split 9s?
• Is it ever right to split 10s?
• Should I split Aces?
• Should I split 8s against a 10?
• Should I split 8s against an Ace?
• Should I split 9s against a 7?

Hard totals: hit, stand or double

• Should I hit 12 against a 2 or a 3?
• Should I stand on 12 against 4 to 6?
• Should I hit 12 against 7 to Ace?
• Should I stand on 13 against 2 to 6?
• Should I hit 13 against 7 to Ace?
• Should I stand on 14 against 2 to 6?
• Should I hit 14 against 7 to Ace?
• Should I stand on 15 against 2 to 6?
• Should I hit 15 against 7 to Ace?
• Should I stand on 16 against 2 to 6?
• Should I hit 16 against 7 to Ace?
• Should I hit 16 against a 10?
• Should I hit 16 against a 7?
• Should I hit 15 against a 10?
• Should I hit or stand on 12 to 16?
• Should I double down on 9?
• Should I double down on 10?
• Should I double 10 against a 10?
• Should I double down on 11?
• Should I double 11 against an Ace?
• What should I do with 8 or less?
• Should I hit 17?

Soft hands: hands with an Ace

• What to do with Ace 2 (soft 13)
• What to do with Ace 3 (soft 14)
• What to do with Ace 4 (soft 15)
• What to do with Ace 5 (soft 16)
• Soft 17 strategy: should I hit soft 17?
• What to do with Ace 7 (soft 18)
• What to do with Ace 8 (soft 19)
• What to do with Ace 9 (soft 20)