Blackjack Hands: Hard Hands Explained
Imaginative blackjack gamblers may refer to “Hard hands” as non-winning hard luck hands. In reality, hard hands are blackjack hands with one single value. These are usually hands without an ace or wildcard (or an ace used as a 1). Due to their inflexibility, these hands are considered hard like concrete. Since hard hands are the opposite of “Soft Hands”, we’ll first talk about those so we understand the difference.
A soft hand is any blackjack hand with a flexible value (like an ace, since aces are either a 1 or 11.) Aces make your hand flexible in two directions. Consider it a high or low card depending on your need.
So now that we understand the difference, does this change our playing strategy if we have a hard hand? You bet it does! Not having a “Get out of Bust” card means you won’t get a second chance after a bad card, so you need to be more scientific with your bets. For the following tips, “Hit” means to take another card, and “Double down” means to double your bet and take one more card.
First, always hit if you have an eight or less. You can’t bust, and there’s a higher probability of getting a 10 value card. Hit if you have a 9 and double down if the dealer has a 3 – 6. Due to the ’10 value’ rule, you’ll probably get a 19 and beat the dealer so you’ll want to double the bet. Double down if you have a 10 and the dealer has 2 – 9. If the dealer has a higher cards then hit since probability favors the dealer and you getting a 10 value card. If you have an 11 hand, then double down if the dealer is showing a 2 – 10. If not, then just hit. With a hard 11, you have a very good chance to draw blackjack so you’ll want to double your bet. If you have a 12 and the dealer has a 4 – 6 then stand because chances favor the dealer busting. If he or she is showing something else than take a hit.
For the “Stiff hands” of 13 – 16, stand if the dealer has a 2 – 6 because chances favor the dealer going bust. If the dealer has other cards then take a hit.
If you have a 17 – 20 then stand because there’s a very small chance you’ll get a card that’ll help you.
Use this tips to win some money and maybe make a nickname for yourself. Something with your location and “Diamond” is always a good start!!
