Blackjack is a timeless card game that blends luck, skill, and strategy. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, knowing the best hands in blackjack can significantly improve your chances of success. On hoppocketwine.co.uk, we believe that a solid understanding of blackjack hands is essential for anyone looking to play responsibly, whether at a local casino or a no GamStop casino online. This guide explores what constitutes the best hands in blackjack, why they matter, and how you can use this knowledge to make better decisions at the table.
What Makes a Hand “Best” in Blackjack?
The concept of the “best hand” in blackjack is straightforward: it’s the hand that gives you the highest chance of beating the dealer without exceeding a total of 21. The game’s primary objective is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s, without going over. However, not all hands are created equal, and some combinations offer clear advantages.
Several factors influence what makes a hand strong in blackjack:
- The total value of your cards
- The flexibility to hit or stand without busting
- The dealer’s upcard
- Potential to split or double down
Understanding these elements helps you recognise when you’re holding one of the best hands and how to play it optimally.
The Ultimate Hand: The Natural Blackjack
The undisputed best hand in blackjack is known as the “natural” or “blackjack.” This hand consists of an Ace paired with any ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) as your initial two cards. The Ace counts as 11, and the ten-value card counts as 10, giving you a total of 21.
A natural blackjack offers several advantages:
- It usually pays out at 3:2 odds, giving you a higher return than a regular win.
- It cannot be beaten-only matched-if the dealer also has a blackjack, resulting in a push (tie).
- It ends the round immediately, so you’re not at risk of busting with further cards.
If you’re dealt a natural blackjack, there’s no decision to make; you’ve already achieved the best possible outcome.
Strong Hands: Hard and Soft Totals
While a natural blackjack is the pinnacle, several other hands are considered “best” because they provide a strong position against the dealer. These hands fall into two categories: hard and soft totals.
Hard Totals
A hard total is any hand that does not contain an Ace counted as 11. These hands are less flexible because you can’t adjust the Ace’s value to avoid busting. However, certain hard totals are particularly strong:
- Hard 20 (10 + 10, J + Q, etc.): This is the second-best starting hand in blackjack. With a total of 20, your chances of winning are high, and it’s almost always correct to stand.
- Hard 19 (10 + 9, J + 9, etc.): Also a strong hand, though slightly more vulnerable to the dealer making 20 or 21.
With hard totals of 17 or higher, most basic strategies recommend standing, as the risk of busting with another card outweighs the potential benefit.
Soft Totals
A soft total is any hand that contains an Ace counted as 11. These hands offer more flexibility because if you draw a card that would otherwise cause you to bust, the Ace can be counted as 1 instead.
- Soft 21 (Ace + 10): This is the natural blackjack discussed earlier.
- Soft 20 (Ace + 9): An excellent hand, giving you a high total with no risk of busting on the next card.
- Soft 19 (Ace + 8): Also strong, and basic strategy often recommends standing, except in specific situations depending on the dealer’s upcard.
Soft hands are advantageous because they allow aggressive play-such as doubling down-without the same risk as hard hands.
Pairs and Splitting Opportunities
Pairs can be among the best hands in blackjack, not because of their immediate value, but because they offer the chance to split and potentially create two strong hands.
Best Pairs to Split
- Aces: Always split Aces. Each new hand starts with an Ace, giving you two chances at a strong total or a natural blackjack.
- Eights: Always split eights. Two eights (16) is a weak hand, but splitting gives you a chance to build two hands starting from 8, which is a much better position.
Other pairs, like tens or nines, require more nuanced decisions based on the dealer’s upcard, but Aces and eights are universally considered the best pairs to split.
Hands to Avoid: The Most Challenging Totals
Not all hands are created equal, and some are notoriously difficult to play. While this article focuses on the best hands, it’s useful to know which hands require extra caution.
- Hard 16 (especially 10 + 6): One of the toughest hands, as hitting risks busting, but standing often loses to the dealer’s stronger hands.
- Hard 15: Similar to 16, this hand is vulnerable and often requires tough decisions based on the dealer’s upcard.
Recognising these challenging hands helps you appreciate the value of strong starting combinations.
The Role of the Dealer’s Upcard
The dealer’s upcard is a crucial factor in determining whether your hand is among the best. Even a strong hand can become vulnerable if the dealer shows an Ace or a ten-value card.
For example, A hard 20 is excellent against most dealer upcards, but if the dealer shows an Ace, there’s a risk of a push if they also hit blackjack. Understanding how your hand compares to the dealer’s upcard is essential for making the right decisions.
How to Play the Best Hands: Basic Strategy
Knowing which hands are best is only part of the equation. To maximise your advantage, you need to play them correctly using basic blackjack strategy. Here’s how to approach some of the most common strong hands:
- Natural Blackjack: No action required. Enjoy the payout!
- Hard 20: Always stand, regardless of the dealer’s upcard.
- Soft 20 (Ace + 9): Stand against all dealer upcards.
- Split Aces: Always split. Most casinos only allow one additional card per Ace, but this still gives you the best chance at two strong hands.
- Split Eights: Always split, as two hands starting from 8 are preferable to a hard 16.
These guidelines are based on statistical analysis of millions of hands and form the foundation of successful blackjack play.
Advanced Considerations: Doubling Down
Doubling down is an option that allows you to double your original bet in exchange for receiving just one more card. This move is most effective with certain strong hands, particularly when the dealer is showing a weak upcard (like 5 or 6).
- Hard 11 (e.g. 6 + 5): Doubling down is usually recommended, as you have a high chance of making 21 or a strong total.
- Soft 16 to 18 (Ace + 5 to Ace + 7): Doubling down can be advantageous if the dealer shows a low card, giving you a good shot at improving your hand without much risk.
Knowing when to double down with strong hands can make a significant difference to your long-term results.
Blackjack Variations and Hand Strength
It’s important to note that the best hands in blackjack can be influenced by the specific rules and variations of the game you’re playing. For example, Some tables pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack instead of the traditional 3:2, which reduces the value of the best hand. Other variations may allow you to resplit Aces or limit doubling down opportunities.
Before playing, always check the rules at your chosen casino or online platform. This is particularly important if you’re considering a no GamStop casino, where rules can vary more widely than in regulated UK casinos.
Practical Tips for Recognising and Playing the Best Hands
Here are some practical tips to help you make the most