Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in both land-based and online casinos, thanks to its straightforward rules and the balance of luck and skill it offers. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned enthusiast, knowing which hands are considered the best in blackjack-and why-can significantly improve your decision-making at the table. This guide explores the best blackjack hands, explains the reasoning behind their strength, and offers practical advice for getting the most from your game.
For those who enjoy exploring different ways to play, such as at betting sites without GamStop restrictions, understanding optimal blackjack hands is just as crucial. Let’s break down what makes a blackjack hand strong, how to play them, and the strategies that can help you maximise your chances of winning.
What Makes a Blackjack Hand “Best”?
The value of a blackjack hand is determined by its total points, with the ultimate goal being to reach 21 or as close as possible without exceeding it. The best blackjack hands are those that either give you an immediate win or put you in a strong position against the dealer. These hands offer a combination of high value, flexibility, and favourable odds.
The Basics of Blackjack Hand Values
In blackjack, cards are valued as follows:
- Number cards (2-10): Face value
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points each
- Ace: 1 or 11 points, whichever benefits the hand most
A hand’s value is the sum of its cards. The best possible hand is an Ace with a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King), known as a “blackjack” or “natural.”
The Top Blackjack Hands Explained
Let’s look at the hands considered the best in blackjack, along with the reasons behind their strength.
1. The Natural Blackjack (Ace and 10-Value Card)
This is the strongest hand in the game. If your first two cards are an Ace and any 10-value card, you have a “blackjack.” This hand automatically wins unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case it’s a push (tie).
- Payout: Most casinos pay 3:2 for a natural blackjack.
- Advantage: Immediate win, immune to most dealer outcomes.
- Strategy: No further action needed; stand automatically.
2. Hard 20 (Two 10-Value Cards)
A pair of 10s, or any combination of cards that add up to 20 without an Ace acting as 11, is a “hard 20.” This is a very strong hand, as only a dealer blackjack or 21 can beat it.
- Advantage: High likelihood of winning against most dealer upcards.
- Strategy: Always stand on 20; splitting 10s is rarely advised.
3. Soft 21 (Ace and Multiple Cards Totaling 10)
A “soft” hand contains an Ace counted as 11. For example, Ace-5-5 or Ace-3-7. A soft 21 isn’t a natural blackjack but still totals 21.
- Advantage: Still unbeatable except by a dealer blackjack.
- Strategy: Stand, as you can’t improve further.
4. Soft 19 or 20 (Ace with 8 or 9)
Hands like Ace-8 (soft 19) or Ace-9 (soft 20) are strong because they can be played flexibly depending on the dealer’s upcard.
- Advantage: Good chance of winning, especially against weaker dealer cards.
- Strategy: Usually stand, but consider doubling down on soft 19 if the dealer shows a 6 (in some games).
5. Pairs of Aces or Eights (Split Hands)
Pairs of Aces or 8s are unique. While not immediately strong, they offer the best opportunity for improvement through splitting.
- Aces: Splitting gives two chances at a blackjack.
- Eights: Splitting avoids a hard 16, a notoriously weak hand, and gives two chances at a stronger hand.
- Strategy: Always split Aces and 8s, regardless of the dealer’s upcard.
Why Certain Hands Are Considered the Best
The strength of a blackjack hand depends on its potential to win and its flexibility. Natural blackjacks are unbeatable except by another blackjack. Hard 20s are seldom outdone, and soft hands with an Ace provide options if the dealer shows a weak upcard.
Splitting Aces and 8s is a strategic move because it transforms a difficult situation into multiple opportunities. While a pair of 8s totals 16-a hand with a high risk of busting or losing to a dealer’s higher total-splitting them gives you a chance to build two stronger hands.
Blackjack Strategy: Making the Most of the Best Hands
Knowing which hands are best is only part of the equation; understanding how to play them is equally important. Here’s how to approach the top hands:
- Natural Blackjack: Stand and enjoy the payout. No further action is required.
- Hard 20: Always stand. Splitting 10s is rarely beneficial, even if the casino allows it.
- Soft 21: Stand, as you cannot improve further.
- Soft 19 or 20: Usually stand, but check basic strategy charts for doubling opportunities based on the dealer’s upcard.
- Pairs of Aces or 8s: Always split, as this gives you the best chance to win or minimise losses.
Understanding Basic Blackjack Strategy
Basic blackjack strategy is a set of guidelines that tells you the statistically best move for every possible hand combination. It’s based on the dealer’s upcard and your own hand.
The best hands are straightforward to play, but hands with lower values or more risk require careful consideration. For example, A hard 16 against a dealer’s 10 is one of the weakest hands, and basic strategy often recommends hitting, despite the risk of busting.
Why Not All Good Hands Are “Best” Hands
Some hands, such as hard 17 or soft 18, are decent but not considered the best. They offer a reasonable chance of winning but are more vulnerable to being beaten by the dealer. The hands discussed above consistently offer the highest odds of success, which is why they’re considered the best.
How the Dealer’s Upcard Affects Hand Strength
The dealer’s face-up card plays a significant role in determining the strength of your hand. A strong hand like 20 or 21 is almost always best, but if the dealer shows an Ace or a 10, the risk of a push or loss increases. Conversely, if the dealer shows a weak card (2 through 6), your strong hands become even more advantageous.
Dealer Weaknesses
- Dealer upcards of 2-6 are considered weak, as the dealer is more likely to bust.
- When you have a strong hand and the dealer shows a weak card, standing is almost always the right move.
Splitting and Doubling Down: Enhancing Your Best Hands
Splitting and doubling down are two player options that can maximise your winnings.
Splitting
When you receive two cards of the same value, you can “split” them into two separate hands, each with its own bet. This is particularly powerful with Aces and 8s, as mentioned earlier.
Doubling Down
Doubling down allows you to double your initial bet in exchange for committing to stand after receiving one more card. This is best used when you have a strong starting hand and the dealer shows a weak upcard.
- Common doubling hands: 10 or 11 against a dealer’s 2-9.
- Some soft hands (like Ace-7) can also be doubled against weak dealer cards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Strong Hands
Even with a strong hand, players sometimes make errors that reduce their chances of winning. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Splitting 10s: This is almost never advisable, as a hard 20 is a winning hand in most situations.
- Standing on soft 17: In many games, it’s better to hit or double down, depending on the dealer’s card.