4-deck to 8-deck Blackjack Strategy Explained

In the world of casinos, blackjack is one of the popular games among enthusiastic players. It is a game in which you compete against the dealer. To beat the dealer in online blackjack, you will have to get closer to 21 without getting busted. The dealer and the players will receive one card each at the beginning of the game. Then another face up card is dealt. The total value of the cards will determine who wins the game. If your total is higher than the dealer, you will win. 

To make the most of the game, having an idea of the 4-deck to 8-deck blackjack strategy is vital. A good grasp of the basic rules can improve your winning odds significantly.

Basic Blackjack Strategies to Learn

Irrespective of the blackjack variations you want to play, knowing the basic strategies is vital. Well, it’s all about having a perfect idea of when to hit, stand, double down, and surrender. Let’s discuss the right strategies under different situations at online casinos UK. 

Split

Are you wondering when you should choose to split in the game of blackjack? The top situations are listed below.

• Always split when you have 8s and aces.
• When the dealer has 4-7, you can choose to split your 2s and 3s.
• Make sure never to split 10s and 5s.
• Consider splitting 4s when the dealer shows a 5 or 6.
• Split 7s when the dealer has 2-7.
• Split your 6s when the dealer has a hand of 3-6.
• Split your 9s against the 2-6 or 8-9 of the dealer.

Surrender

When standing or hitting is not an ideal option, it is better to surrender. It can help you avoid the unfavourable positions. Choosing to surrender your hand in unexpected scenarios can lower your loss in the long run. However, knowing when to surrender is important. Take a look at the common situations in which surrendering is the right option.

• Surrender when you have a hard 16 and the dealer has 10, 9, or A. However, if your hard 16 hand includes a pair of 8s, do not surrender. Instead, opt for a split.
• Surrender hard 15 when the dealer has 10.

Double Down

The best 4-deck to 8-deck blackjack strategy is to double down. It is an excellent way of lowering the blackjack house edge significantly. When you choose to double down, it means that you have a great hand and want to take advantage of the situation. In other words, the game is in your favour.

Here are the different situations in which you can double your bet in the game of blackjack.

• Double your hard 9 against the 3-6 of the dealer.
• Double your hard 11. However, when the dealer has an Ace, avoid this strategy.
• Double your hard 10. But avoid it if the dealer has an Ace or 10.
• Double your soft 13 or 14 against a dealer 5-6.
• Double your soft 15 or 16 against a dealer 4-6.
• Double your soft 17 or 18 against a dealer 3-6.

Hit or Stand

Whether you are playing blackjack tournaments or the normal game, players often get confused about when to hit and when to stand. To make it simple and easy for you, take a look at the right moves in different situations.

• When you have a hard 11 or less, always choose to hit.
• If you have hard 12 and the dealer has 4-6, stand. Otherwise, you can hit.
• Stand when you have hard 13-16 and the dealer has 2-3. Else, you can opt for a hit.
• Always hit when you have a soft 17 or less.
• Always stand when you have a hard 17 or more.
• Always stand when you have a soft 19 or more.
• If you have a soft 18, stand. However, if the dealer has a 10, 9, or A, choose to hit.

These strategies work well for any set of rules. But when the dealer chooses to hit a soft 17, you will have to make certain modifications to your strategy. Here is all you have to do.

• Double your 11 when the dealer has A.
• If the dealer has an Ace, choose to surrender your pairs of 8s, 15, and 17. 
• Choose to double your soft 19 when the dealer has a 6.
• Double your soft 18 when the dealer has a 2.

Other Basic Strategies of Blackjack

Apart from when to hit, stand, and double down, there are various other strategies you must know. Mastering these strategies will enable you to play the game of blackjack like a pro. Go through the additional strategies listed below. 

Never Take the Insurance Bets

The blackjack insurance bets are quite tempting for the players. However, irrespective of the variation you are playing, avoid taking the insurance bet at any cost. Wondering why? Well, it is actually more profitable to lose your original wager than to protect it with the insurance bet. 

Avoid the Side Bets

Apart from the insurance bet, you must also avoid the blackjack side bets. The game of blackjack provides players with an opportunity to engage in a wide range of appealing side bets. However, a point to note here is that if you want to partake in any of the side bets, you will have to place an additional bet. Moreover, the side bets do not offer any value to the players. Also, the house edge of these bets is quite high compared to that of the normal blackjack game.

Conclusion

Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy. No doubt, you can leverage the blackjack calculator at online casinos. However, knowing the 4-deck to 8-deck blackjack strategy is crucial to enhance your gameplay. Whether you are playing double deck blackjack or any other variants, having knowledge of the different strategies helps. Look for the top online casinos that offer you a chance to engage in live casino games like live blackjack and experience top-notch fun and excitement.