Basic Winning Strategies

It's much easier to remember the chart if you understand the principles behind the moves. Since the dealer can't do anything but play according to the rigid house rules, the player has every advantage over the dealer but one. The dealer's single great advantage is this: if the player busts first, and then the dealer busts, the dealer still wins.

This advantage is so great that it more than makes up for the entire player's options. The dealer always acts last, and plays his hand only after all the players have made their decisions regarding their hands. Therefore, you must avoid, if possible, busting your hand when the dealer has a chance to bust his also, for if you can force the dealer to bust while your cards are still alive, you will win.

When will the dealer stand a good chance of busting his hand? He is most likely to bust when he has a bust card showing-an up card of 2 to 6. These are known as bust cards or stiffs because the dealer will have to draw another card to form his hand and can't stand pat unless he has a 6 showing and an ace underneath. In all other instances, he will have to hit his hand, and when he hits, there is a chance of going over 21 and busting.

On the other hand, when a dealer shows a 7 through an ace (7, 8, 9, 10-value card, ace) in all probability he will have a

Hand that is already pat, being 17 or higher. If you don't hit a hand valued at 16 or below, facing a dealer's 7 or above, you may simply be forfeiting your hand without any opportunity to improve it.