The objective of blackjack is quite clear; you win by getting closer to 21 than the dealer without going over that number. Therefore, a hand that adds up to exactly 21 is ideal. There are many ways to get to that number, which means not all hands are equal even if they add up to 21 precisely. The best hand in blackjack, like with other casino table games, can also fluctuate based on rule variations.
Your starting hands in blackjack may not automatically doom you to a loss or guarantee a win but it definitely sets up the decisions you should make as the game plays out. The quality of a particular hand can be subjective depending on the rules of the particular game and your strategy preferences.
A Number of Ways to Get to the Best Hand in Blackjack
One of the rules of blackjack is that you don’t have to get to exactly 21 to win. You just have to be closer than the dealer and avoid busting (going over 21). This is why in any particular game, the best hand is any hand that beats what the dealer has. If the dealer has 17, for example, a 10 and an 8 could be considered the best hand.
It’s possible to have a natural blackjack (two cards that add up to 21 exactly) and still not win in some games. Depending on the rules, the dealer might be able to match your total. This results in a draw and your bet is returned.
While winning determines which hand is best, another way to understand the best blackjack hand is the one that fits best into your strategy. In that case, playing blackjack with confidence requires you to know the game well.
Blackjack Variants Alter Strategy
When you’re weighing your options with blackjack, knowing the rules of the game is pivotal. For example, you have to consider whether you’re playing with one hand or two hands in a blackjack game.
Also, your strategy when you’re playing single deck blackjack will vary from when you’re playing with multiple decks. This is because the number of potential combinations expands in multi-deck games, changing the probabilities of getting the cards you need to achieve the best hand.
When you register for BetMGM Casino, you can check out the different blackjack game variants and experience how they change the definition of what’s best. No matter how your luck turns out, BetMGM is the best place to do so because of its generous casino welcome bonus.
Best Hands in Blackjack
In terms of the best starting hand in blackjack, an ace with a 10, Jack, King, or Queen is impossible to beat. The best the dealer can do in that instance is match your 21 and force a push in some variants.
In fact, you’ll often get an instant payout for hitting this combo in many games regardless of what the dealer achieves. Typical blackjack payouts for such a combination are 3 to 2 and 6 to 5 depending on the casino’s rules.
Another amazing way to start a hand of blackjack includes two cards with a value of 10, whether they be face cards or two 10s. In the latter instance, you might consider splitting to give yourself even more potential payoff, but this hand is also very hard to beat, which might encourage you to hold onto it.
A pair of aces is another chance to split. Whenever you split, you should keep your gambling bankroll in mind because you’ll have to increase your wager to split.
Hands adding up to 17, 18, or 19 are also strong positions but not necessarily unbeatable. Still, they present a better place to start from than many alternatives.
Worst Blackjack Hands
The qualifications for the worst starting hand in blackjack are full of opinions. A consensus is that 16 is a poor initial total because it doesn’t command the respect of a 17, 18, or 19 but at the same time it’s close enough to 21 that you run a high risk of busting if you take a hit.
This is why the conventional wisdom is to split a pair of eights or look at the dealer’s cards that are showing and consider a surrender if you have a 10 and a six or a nine and a seven. Depending on the blackjack surrender rule for the version you’re playing, getting half of your bet back is better than losing all of it.
There are similar considerations if your initial hand adds up to 13, 14, or 15. These numbers are also in that middle ground between when you obviously want to hit and you obviously want to stay.
If you get an ace with another card that can put you at 13, 14, 15, or 16, you can breathe a sigh of relief to an extent. There’s some flexibility in that situation.
Blackjack Soft Hands & How To Play Them
Blackjack hands that contain an ace are considered soft. This is because that ace can count as either a one or 11 in most games.
Therefore, an ace and a six can be played as either a seven or a 17, depending on your strategy. In these instances, smart players consider the dealer’s cards in making their moves.
Consider this potential scenario. Suppose you start a game with an ace and a two while the dealer is showing six. If the blackjack variation you’re playing allows, this could be a great time to double down and increase the value of your potential payout.
Because you’ve started with either three or 13, you’ve got a lot of options to get to a strong position while the dealer is comparatively limited. There’s still no guarantee but this is a classic example of when to double down.
Even if neither of your initial cards is an ace, you can still make winning moves. These situations might confront you with extra challenges, though.
Blackjack Hard Hands & How To Play Them
In games that mandate that aces count as ones or for hands in more traditional games that don’t contain an ace, you’ve got a hard hand. The hard distinction applies to more than just the inflexibility of the total.
These hands can also be more difficult to win with because of the lack of options compared to soft hands. In these circumstances, the best blackjack hands charts can guide you to the best position.
These scenarios also prioritize your knowledge of the specific rules of the exact game you’re engaged in. For example, it’s crucial to know whether the game you’re playing requires the dealer to stand on 17 or hit on 16, how many decks are included, and whether you have the option to buy blackjack insurance.
BetMGM offers many opportunities to familiarize yourself with different versions of blackjack. You can also find great bonuses to aid in your exploration.
