When playing Blackjack, your aim is to get as close to 21 as possible. In order to achieve this, you can split two hands, as long as they have equal cards. For example, two Aces are good hands, as are two 10s. If you have fours, you should split them into two hands. You can also play two 4’s as one hand, as it is unlikely that you will end up Busting. Even if you have an Ace, you will likely get a decent hand of 19 if you have two 10’s.

Double down

The strategy of doubling down on blackjack involves placing chips equal to the initial bet next to the current wager. Do not put the chips on top of your initial bet as this is seen as tampering with the hand. In order to be considered a winner, the double down bet must equal the original bet amount. Generally, blackjack players should double down when their cards are 11, 12 or 13.

Insurance

Blackjack insurance is a common wager that players make when they see an ace in their hand. It is an additional bet worth half the original bet, and pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. In the case of blackjack insurance, the dealer will check his hole card for 10 before continuing the hand. If the dealer does not have a blackjack, he will lose both bets, and the insurance bet will be void.

Soft 17

You may have heard about the Soft 17 blackjack rule but may not know how it affects the odds of winning. While most blackjack players stick to the standard strategy, there are some slight alterations you should make to make the most of the new rule. For example, you should double down if you have a hand of 11 and the dealer shows an Ace. You should also double down if the dealer shows a 6 or 2 when you are dealt a soft 17.

Face cards

In blackjack, the face cards differ from the number cards in many ways. Face cards have values of 10 or higher. For example, in the hand shown above, you would have an ace and two face cards. However, the value of Aces is not fixed. If you have an ace and five face cards, you could double down and get a 21. The best way to play is to keep your face cards together. This way, you can make the best possible hand without sacrificing any face card value.

Dealer’s face-down card

When playing blackjack, the dealer deals each player one card. This card is known as the dealer’s hole card. If the dealer is showing you a face-down card, you can opt to take insurance by wagering $5. This way, if the dealer has a blackjack, you will win $10 and keep the remaining five dollars that you bet. However, taking insurance is not profitable for you. The dealer has one face-down card, which is called the ‘hole’ card.

Splitting cards into two separate hands

If you have two identical cards and want to increase your bet, split your cards into two separate hands. This strategy is called ‘doubling down.’ However, you should avoid splitting aces because they represent one and eleven, respectively. Instead, try to split a pair of fives or fours, which will give you the opportunity to double down or draw. If you happen to have a pair of twos or threes, you can split them, but it will be your responsibility to decide whether or not to double down.

Pushing

In legal blackjack, pushing is a decision that gives you the chance to win even money, as long as the dealer has an equal value as you. When a player triggers a push, they will receive back their entire bet, including the initial bet and any bets placed on doubling down or splitting pairs. If they would rather leave, they can do so as well. However, it’s always better to win on a push.