When Should You Hit or Stand in Blackjack?

Eddie Griffin

Written by: Eddie Griffin

Last Updated: Mon Jan 20, 2025, 22:34 PM

Read Time: 10 minutes

In the world of blackjack, two fundamental decisions face players on every hand: whether to hit or stand. These seemingly simple choices form the cornerstone of blackjack strategy and can make the difference between winning and losing sessions at traditional casinos and real money online casinos such as OnlineCasinoGames and Wild Casino.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hitting and standing in blackjack, from basic concepts to advanced strategies.

With the information provided in this guide, you will be able to make informed blackjack betting decisions and maximize your chances of coming away from the real or virtual table a winner.

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Understanding the Basics of Hitting and Standing

Hitting and standing are the two primary decisions in blackjack. When you hit, you’re requesting an additional card from the dealer to improve your hand’s total. When you stand, you’re keeping your current hand and declining any additional cards.

While these actions might seem straightforward, knowing when to implement each requires understanding probability, game variants, and various situational factors.

The main goal in blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. When deciding whether to hit or stand, you’re essentially weighing the risk of busting (going over 21) against the probability of improving your hand or beating the dealer’s up card.

Core Strategy for When to Hit or Stand

Your basic strategy for hitting and standing should primarily depend on two factors: your hand’s total and the dealer’s up card. Let’s break down the most common scenarios you will encounter, whether you are at a physical casino or top online casinos like DuckyLuck Casino and Lucky Red Casino.

When you have a hard total (a hand without an Ace, or where the Ace must be counted as 1 to avoid busting), the strategy is relatively straightforward. Always hit on hard totals of 8 or below, as you cannot bust with one additional card.

With totals of 12 through 16, your decision should be based on the dealer’s up card. Hit when the dealer shows 7 or higher, as they have a good chance of making a strong hand. Stand on these totals when the dealer shows 6 or lower, as they have a higher probability of busting.

For hard totals of 17 and above, the strategy is simple: always stand. The risk of busting is too high, and these totals have a good chance of winning if the dealer busts.

Soft hands (those containing an Ace counted as 11) offer more flexibility. Always hit soft 17 or lower, as you cannot bust with one card. Stand on soft 19 or higher, as these are strong hands. Soft 18 requires special consideration: hit against dealer 9, 10, or Ace; stand against 2 through 8.

When to Hit or Stand: Variant-Specific Considerations

Different blackjack variants and games may require adjustments to your hitting and standing strategy.

Rules can vary from table to table, from casino to casino, and from game to game. For example, one American blackjack game can have different rules from another American blackjack game at the same casino or gambling site, and the same can apply to European blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, and other games and variants.

If you are playing blackjack online, it is especially important to be aware of rules for each game you play. Many gambling sites have several different games on offer, and every game could have different rules. For example, Red Stag Casino has six different blackjack games, and that is a relatively small amount compared to a site like Wild Casino, which has four dozen blackjack games between RNG-based games and live dealer options.

In games where the dealer hits on soft 17, you should be slightly more aggressive with hitting your own borderline hands. This rule increases the dealer’s chances of making a strong hand, so you will need stronger totals to win.

In single deck blackjack games, hitting and standing decisions remain largely the same. However, the removal of cards has a more significant impact on probability. Pay attention to the proportion of high and low cards that have been dealt, as this can influence your decisions on borderline hands.

Double-deck games fall somewhere between single-deck and six-deck games in terms of strategy adjustments. The basic hitting and standing rules remain consistent, but card removal effects are still notable enough to consider when making close decisions.

Advanced Considerations and Situational Factors

Beyond basic blackjack strategy, several factors can influence your hitting and standing decisions. The true count in card counting systems can significantly impact your choices, particularly on borderline hands. A highly positive count (indicating many high cards remain) might lead you to stand in situations where basic strategy suggests hitting.

Table position can also affect your decisions. When you’re the last to act before the dealer, you have more information about other players’ hands and can better assess the likelihood of dealer busting cards appearing.

Playing conditions and house rules can impact strategy as well. In crowded games where you see fewer hands per hour, you might be more inclined to play conservatively on borderline decisions. Conversely, in heads-up play against the dealer, you might need to be more aggressive to overcome the house edge.

Special Hands and Exceptions

Certain hand combinations require special attention when deciding to hit or stand. A hand of 16 against a dealer’s 10, while technically a hitting situation according to basic strategy, might be played as a stand if you’ve observed many high cards being dealt recently.

Multiple-card 12 through 16 totals should generally be played the same as two-card hands of the same value, but some players adjust their strategy when holding three or more cards, particularly in single-deck games. This is because each card removed from the deck slightly changes the probability of drawing a high card.

The prospect of splitting and doubling down can also have an impact on the decisions that are made.

Paired hands present unique considerations. While pairs can be split (subject to house rules), sometimes hitting or standing is the better option. For example, a pair of 8s should always be split rather than hit, while a pair of 10s should always be left as a strong 20 rather than split.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players make consistent mistakes when deciding whether to hit or stand. One frequent error is standing on 12 through 16 against a dealer’s 7 through Ace. While it feels safer to stand, mathematical analysis shows that hitting gives you a better chance of winning in these situations.

Another common mistake is hitting soft 18 against a dealer’s 2 through 8. Players often feel compelled to improve this hand, but standing is mathematically correct in these situations. The flexibility of the Ace means you’re already in a strong position.

Mistakes may also result from following the decisions and superstitions of other players. Your hitting and standing decisions should be based solely on your cards and the dealer’s up card, not on what other players at the table are doing or saying.

Impact of Online Play on When to Hit or Stand

When playing online blackjack at sites like Super Slots Casino and Uptown Aces Casino, the same basic principles apply, but there are some additional considerations.

Live dealer blackjack, which is available at sites like OCG, SlotsandCasino, and HighRoller Casino, combines the convenience of online play with the social aspects of the physical casino experience. From your computer or mobile device, you can make decisions with less pressure than at a real blackjack table. That said, you must still be measured in your decision making while also keeping live casino etiquette in mind.

For online games that are not live dealer games, the use of random number generators (RNGs) impacts the outcome. Also, these games also typically use continuous shuffling machines (CSMs) or frequently shuffle the deck.

These factors make card counting impossible and render tracking ineffective. Therefore, you should stick more rigidly to basic strategy without trying to adjust for card removal effects.

Online play also tends to be faster than live casino play. This can also affect your decision-making process. It is crucial to maintain discipline and not rush your hitting and standing decisions just because the game moves more quickly.

Many of the best blackjack sites offer auto-play options based on basic strategy, which can be helpful for maintaining consistent play. However, that should not be relied upon without understanding the underlying strategic reasons for each decision.

Conclusion

Mastering when to hit and stand in blackjack is fundamental to becoming a skilled player. While the basic principles may seem straightforward, successful implementation requires understanding multiple factors, from basic strategy to game variants and special situations.

Remember that no single strategy works perfectly for every situation. After all, you still have to deal with the blackjack house edge, which keeps the casino with the upper hand even in the best of circumstances. But following these guidelines will help minimize the house edge and maximize your chances of success at the tables.

As you gain experience, you will develop a better feel for the game, but never let intuition override the mathematical principles that underpin these proven strategies. Whether you are playing in a land-based casino or online, consistent application of proper hitting and standing decisions will serve as the foundation for your blackjack success.

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Hitting and Standing in Blackjack FAQ

Should I always hit on soft 17?
Yes, you should always hit on soft 17. The flexibility of the Ace means you can’t bust with one card, and you have the potential to improve your hand to a stronger total while still having the safety net of the Ace.
Does the number of decks in play change basic hitting strategy in blackjack?
Basic hitting strategy remains largely the same regardless of the number of decks, but card removal effects become more pronounced in games with fewer decks, which can influence decisions on borderline hands.
How should I play against a blackjack dealer who hits on soft 17?
When the dealer hits on soft 17, you should be slightly more aggressive with your own hitting decisions since the dealer has more opportunities to improve their hand.
Should you ever hit on hard 17 in blackjack?
No, you should never hit on hard 17. The risk of busting is too high, and 17 is a strong enough hand to stand on against any dealer up card in all standard blackjack variants.
What is the most common mistake players make when deciding to hit or stand in blackjack?
The most common mistake is standing on 12-16 against a dealer’s 7 or higher. While hitting risks busting, mathematical analysis shows it’s still the better play in these situations.
Should I follow what other players at the blackjack table are doing?
Never base your decisions on other players’ actions. Your hitting and standing decisions should be based solely on your cards and the dealer’s up card, following proper basic strategy.