Now that you are familiar with the precepts of the Simple Strategy, it is time to learn the rules and put them into action. If you are not familiar with the Simple Strategy, please read the previous two articles in the Blackjack Strategy Pointers section located at the bottom of this page.  Then visit this page again to start learning the Simple Strategy, which should be mastered before trying to learn all the particulars of the Universal Basic Blackjack Strategy. 

--To begin with, decide whether to split the following dealt Pairs--

If dealt a Pair of Aces - Always split them.  By doing so, you are increasing your chances of hitting 21.  If you do not split them, your hand total is either a 2 or 12 - both of which have a better chance of busting.  If one of your split Aces is dealt a third Ace, split it as well (although most all online casinos will not permit you to resplit an Ace).  Remember that when splitting Aces, you are only dealt one more card on each Ace (the same as doubling down).  Any other split hand can be played through like a normal hand.

If dealt a Pair of 8's - Always split them.  If one of your 8's is dealt another 8, resplit it.  The reason one should always split 8's is that it gives you a card total of sixteen, which is the worst hand you could possibly have.

If dealt a Pair of 2's, 3's, 6's, 7'w or 9's- Split these hands only if the dealer shows a 2 through 7.  Although splitting these card totals statistically gives the player a worse hand (except for the Pair of 9's), it is offset by the fact that the dealer has a greater chance of busting by showing a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

If dealt a Pair of 4's 5's or 10's - Never split these Pairs. Rather, play them as you would normal Hard Hands (described below) with totals of 8, 10 or 20, which means that a Pair of 5's (total of 10) should be Doubled Down if the dealer is showing a 2 through 9.

--If dealt a Soft Hand, go by the following rules--

If dealt a Soft Ace/2 through Ace/6 - Always Hit these hands.  They cannot be busted with a Hit, and are poor hands on their own.

If dealt a Soft Ace/7 through Ace/9 - Always Stand on these hands.  They give card totals of 18, 19 and 20, which are good hands that are less likely to be improved by Hitting (When stepping up to the full version of the Basic Strategy, Soft Ace/7's are played with more options, but are simplified here to begin with).

If dealt a Soft Ace/10 - You will have no choice but to stand on this won because it is a Natural 21 that will pay you 3:2 odds (unless of course if the dealer also has a Natural, in which case it would be a tie).

--For card totals less than 12 (non Hard Hands), go by the following--

If dealt a card total of 9 or less - Always Hit these hands for they cannot be busted with an additional card.  Depending on the third card dealt, continue playing the hand based on the new point total.

If dealt a card total of 10 or 11 - Always Hit these hands for they cannot be busted, and have a great chance of coming close to twenty-one. Always Double Down unless the dealer is showing a ten value card or Ace.

If dealt a card total of 12 to 16 - Since this is considered a stiff hand, meaning it has the potential of busting, Stand if the dealer is showing a six or less.  The dealer has a good chance of busting, which is what you are holding out for.  Hit only if the dealer shows a seven or higher.  The reason is that the dealer now has a good chance of holding a pat hand (17 thru 21) which will beat your hand.  Taking the risk of busting your hand is your best option. Keep hitting until you get a card total over sixteen. This is when luck is even more of your best friend.

If dealt a card total of 17 to 21 - Always Stand, for this is a pat hand.  The only exception to Standing would be if you are holding an Ace/6.  Considering a Soft 17 cannot be busted, and a card total of 17 is not a great hand, taking a Hit is not going to hurt your odds.  Play the Ace/6 as a card total of seven (as you normally would depending on the dealers up-card).