Blackjack is a casino favorite, blending skill and luck, and has been thoroughly studied by mathematicians and professional gamblers to reduce the house edge. Success in blackjack hinges on knowing how to handle the best and worst hands.
In this article, we’ll break down key hands—from the unbeatable natural blackjack to challenging hands like 16 vs. 10—and provide strategies to help you make smarter decisions at the table.
What Are the Best Blackjack Hands?
The best blackjack hands are those that give you the greatest chance of winning while minimizing risk. These hands are statistically decent, meaning they can result in a win or put you in a strong position with little chance of you busting.
Knowing how to handle these hands is important to maximize profits when playing the game. Some of the best hands include natural blackjack, starting with a 20, or something that allows for doubling down.
| Hand | Best Move |
|---|---|
| Natural Blackjack | Stand (Instant Win) |
| Starting with 20 | Stand |
| 11 | Double down (unless dealer shows an Ace) |
| Soft 13-17 | Hit or Double (depending on dealer’s upcard) |
| Pair of 8s | Always split |
| 16 vs. Dealer 10 | Hit (or surrender if allowed) |
| Hard 14 | Hit (if dealer shows 7 or higher), Stand (if dealer shows lower) |
What Is a Natural Blackjack?
A natural blackjack is when your first two cards are an Ace and a ten-point card, like a Jack/Queen/King. It’s an automatic win, and most casinos should pay out at 3:2 for this.
There’s nothing for you to do when you get this hand, it’s an instant victory – unless the dealer also has blackjack – in which case it’s a push (refund).
How Do You Play a Hand Starting with 20?
Starting with a 20, such as a pair of 10s, is one of the best positions to be in blackjack. You should always stand here, as the chances of getting to 21 are 8%, meaning a 92% chance of going bust.
Splitting the pair of 10s is a mistake, as 20 is a strong hand – so turning it into two hands of 10 could potentially mean creating two losing hands.
What Should You Do When You Start with 11?
When you get dealt an 11, the best move is to double down unless the dealer has an Ace. The reason is because you can’t go bust here, and if you draw a 10 that means you hit 21.
You are generally in an excellent position with an 11, so doubling down will mean you can normally profit more from winning.
What’s the Strategy for Soft Totals of 13 through 17?
Soft hands such as 13 – 17 are where one of your cards is an Ace that is counted as an 11. They provide flexibility as you can’t bust by taking a hit, because even if you had a soft 13and a 10, the original Ace would then be counted as a 1.
- Soft 13 or Soft 14: Hit against all dealer cards.
- Soft 15 or Soft 16: Double down against dealer’s 4, 5, or 6; otherwise, hit.
- Soft 17: Double down against dealer’s 3-6; otherwise, hit.
What Are the Worst Blackjack Hands?
The worst hands in blackjack tend to be those where either your chances of busting are quite high, or where the dealer has a significant advantage over you. Knowing how to handle these situations can reduce your losses and improve your results in the long run. Totals like hard 14 or 16, are some of the worst, and might require splitting, like a pair of 8s.
Should You Split a Pair of 8s in Blackjack?
You should always split a pair of 8s, because 16 is one of the worst blackjack hands, so splitting it into two 8s gives you chance to improve both hands. By splitting, you turn a potential losing hand into two possible good hands.
How Do You Handle a 16 vs. a Dealer’s 10?
A 16 against a dealer’s 10 is a poor card, as you have a high chance of busting out and the dealer has a great chance to get as close to 21 as possible. If surrender is allowed, you should take it, but if not, hitting is the best move. You’ll lose more often than not, but the aim is to minimize losses in the long run.
Standing on a hard 16 against 9 through Ace loses 77% of the time. Hitting under the same conditions loses a little over 74% of the time
What’s the Best Move with a Hard 14?
If the dealer shows a 7 or higher, hitting is recommended to avoid standing on a weak hand. If the dealer shows a card lower than a 7, it’s better to stand, as the dealer is more likely to bust.
A hard 14 is a tricky hand but can still be navigated with proper strategy.
Related Blackjack Strategies and Tips
Handling good and bad hands in blackjack is important and is a vital component to basic strategy. Learning this is important to long-term success, along with reducing the house edge as much as possible.
What Does It Mean to Surrender in Blackjack?
Surrender in blackjack allows you to forfeit your hand and lose half your bet, instead of continuing and potentially losing the whole bet. It’s good to use surrender when your chances of winning is low, like when you have a 16 vs the dealer’s 10. It helps minimize your losses in the long run.
What Are the Odds of Winning with Various Blackjack Hands?
The odds of winning in blackjack depend on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Hands like a natural blackjack (ace and 10) offer the best odds of winning, while hands like 16 against a dealer 10 are statistically the worst. Read our guide to blackjack probabilities to learn more.
How Do Dealer Rules Impact Blackjack Strategy?
Dealer rules, such as whether they hit or stand on soft 17, significantly impact your strategy. When the dealer stands on soft 17, doubling down becomes a more favorable option on certain hands. Understanding how these rules shape gameplay can help you make better decisions and minimize the house advantage. Additionally, knowing why the dealer often seems to win provides valuable insights into the mechanics of the game.
What Is the Best Way to Manage Your Bankroll in Blackjack?
The recommended way to manage your bankroll in blackjack is to set limits, pace your bets, and don’t bet more than you would be comfortable to lose. This keeps you playing for longer and stops a couple of bad hands ending your blackjack session early.
