Blackjack Strategy - Blackjack Strategy for Intermediate Players
Intermediate blackjack strategy involves moves such as double, split, surrender and insure.
In order to increase his chances of winning the blackjack player is allowed certain moves apart from “hit” and “stand”. Intermediate blackjack strategy outlines when and how these moves should be made. These moves are
- Double
- Split
- Surrender
- Insure
Most casinos have done away with “surrender” and “insure” but “double” and “split” remain instrumental moves. The doubling and splitting strategies described below have been arrived at on the basis of extensive computer simulations.
Intermediate Blackjack Strategy for Double
A player can double his initial wager after seeing his two dealt cards and the dealer’s face up card. However the player has to take one and only more card. A number of factors affect doubling strategy. The two most significant factors are
- Player’s hand value
- Dealer’s face up card
Based on these the doubling strategy can be summarized as follows.
- When the player has a hard 11 he should always double.
- When the player has a hard ten he should always double except when the dealer’s open card is a ten or an ace.
- When the player has a hard nine he should double when the dealers open card is between a three and a six.
- When the player has an ace with a two or three he should double when the dealer’s open card is a five or a six.
- When the player has an ace with a four or five he should double when the dealer’s open card is between a four and a six.
- When the player has an ace with a six he should double when the dealer’s open card is between a three and a six.
- When the player has an ace with a seven he should double when the dealer’s open card is between a two and a six.
- The player should not double in any other cases.
Intermediate Blackjack Strategy for Split
If the player’s two dealt cards are of the same denomination, the player can place another wager equal to his initial wager and then split the pair into two independent hands. A number of factors affect splitting strategy. The two most significant factors are
- Player’s hand value
- Dealer’s face up card
Based on these the splitting strategy can be summarized as follows.
- When the player holds a pair of twos or a pair of threes he should split when the dealer’s open card is between a four and a seven.
- When the player holds a pair of sixes he should split when the dealer’s open card is between a three and a six.
- When the player holds a pair of sevens he should split when the dealer’s open card is between a two and a seven.
- When the player holds a pair of eights or a pair of aces he should always split.
- When the player holds a pair of nines he should split when the dealer’s open card is between a two and a nine.
- The player should not split in any other cases.