When to Hit or Stay in Blackjack

Paulie

Roulette Guide

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Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy, where every decision you make can impact the outcome. Deciding whether to hit or stay is one of the most crucial choices you’ll face during a hand.

A “hit” means taking another card from the dealer, increasing your hand’s total value. Hitting carries the risk of going over 21 (busting) and losing automatically. On the other hand, a “stay” means keeping your current hand as is, standing pat with your total.

The decision to hit or stay depends on multiple factors – your hand total, the dealer’s upcard, the number of decks used, and the specific blackjack rules in play. Making the right choice requires understanding basic blackjack strategy and weighing the risks and potential rewards.

Blackjack Rules Explained

Before diving into hit or stay strategy, let’s quickly review the core rules:

Your hand total must get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Face cards are worth 10, aces can be 1 or 11, and other cards their pip value.

The dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 through 21. You win if your hand beats the dealer’s without busting.

Blackjacks (ace + 10-value card) beat regular 21s and pay 3:2 odds. Ties (“pushes”) result in no win or loss.

Insurance, splitting pairs, doubling down add extra layers. But the hit/stay decision remains paramount.

The Basics of Strategy: Hit or Stay

When to Hit

• Hit if your total is 11 or less, regardless of the dealer’s upcard. You need to improve this poor starting hand.
• Hit on 12 against a dealer’s upcard of 7 or higher. The odds favor taking another card here.
• Always hit hard 16 or less against a dealer’s 7 or higher. Staying with 16 or under is too risky.

When to Stay

• Stay on any hand totaling 17 or higher, unless you have a “soft” hand containing an ace that can be re-valued.
• Stay on 12 against dealer’s 4, 5, or 6 upcard. The odds slightly favor standing versus hitting here.
• Stay on 13-16 against a dealer’s 2 through 6 upcard. These “stiff” hands have a decent chance of outplaying the dealer.

The proper hit/stay play depends on calculating the risks and odds for each specific situation. Mastering basic strategy gives you around a 1% house edge.

Deviations From Basic Strategy

• Hit a hard 12 against a 2 or 3 upcard if the deck is very rich in 10-value cards remaining.
• Consider hitting 15 or 16 versus a dealer’s 10 or ace if you can double down after hitting.
• Hit soft 18 (like ace-7) versus a dealer 9, 10, or ace. The odds favor trying to make 19 or 20.

While basic strategy covers most scenarios, skilled players make minor deviations based on deck richness, rules, and advanced techniques. But starting with the fundamentals is key.

Hitting Strategies

When it comes to hitting in blackjack, there are several strategic considerations to keep in mind. The goal is to improve your hand total without going over 21.

Always Hit Hard Totals of 11 or Less
With a hard 11 or lower, you should always take another card. These low totals leave you vulnerable, so hitting gives you a better chance to improve.

Hit Hard 12 Against High Upcards
If the dealer’s upcard is 7 or higher, it’s wise to hit on a hard 12. The odds favor taking another card to try and beat the dealer’s likely total.

Hit Hard 16 or Less vs High Upcards
When you have a hard 16 or lower, and the dealer shows a 7 or higher upcard, hitting is the correct play. Staying with 16 or under is too risky against the dealer’s potential high total.

Consider Deck Composition
Advanced players may deviate slightly based on the remaining deck composition. If the deck is rich in 10-value cards, hitting borderline totals like 12 or 16 becomes more valuable.

Staying Strategies

Staying, or “standing pat,” is sometimes the best play, especially with stronger hand totals.

Stay on Hard 17 or Higher
With a hard total of 17 or above, you should always stand. These hands have a good chance of beating the dealer without risking a bust.

Stay on 12 vs Low Upcards
If the dealer’s upcard is a low 4, 5, or 6, odds slightly favor standing on 12 versus taking a hit.

Stay on “Stiff” Hands 13-16 vs Low Upcards
When the dealer shows a low 2 through 6 upcard, it’s best to stand on 13, 14, 15, or 16. These “stiff” hands have decent chances of winning without improvement.

Avoid Busting Strong Totals
As a general rule, you want to stand on any total of 17 or higher to lock up your strong hands and avoid the risk of busting.

How to Practice Blackjack

The best way to reinforce proper hitting and staying strategy is through repetition and practice.

Use Free Online Trainers
Numerous free blackjack trainers and apps let you practice hitting/staying decisions without risking money. They provide feedback on your plays.

Try Casino Game Wizards
Some online casinos offer game wizards or coaches that recommend the mathematically optimal hit/stay plays as you play real money hands.

Flip Over Strategy Cards While Playing
Print out basic strategy charts and flip them over while playing live or online to constantly reinforce the right decisions.

Simulate Hands and Situations
Away from the tables, you can deal out hands for yourself and practice making hit/stay decisions against different dealer upcards.

Join a Blackjack League or Group
Many cities have local blackjack leagues where players compete using perfect basic strategy. This immerses you in the fundamentals.

The more you drill the basics through low/no-risk practice, the better you’ll be able to implement an optimal hit/stay strategy during real casino play.