Basic Winning Strategies

Soft Hands-Doubling Down

(S = Stand; H = Hit; D = Double Down)

Soft Total Dealer's UP card Decision

A2, A3, A4, A5 2, 3, 7-ace H

A2, A3, A4, A5 4, 5, 6 D

A6 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 D

A6 7-ace H

A7 2, 7, 8, ace S

A7 3, 4, 5, 6 D

A7 9, 10 H

A8 Any up card S

A9 Any up card S

At first glance, this chart may seem complicated, but if you know the principles underlying the doubling down of soft totals, it becomes much easier to follow the strategy.

When a dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6 as his up card, these are his weakest and most vulnerable cards and you should take whatever opportunity you can to double down against those up cards. When you hold ace, 6, you should never stand, but either hit or double down. When you hold an ace, 7, your strategy becomes a little more complicated.

With an ace, 7 you hit against a dealer's 9 or 10. You know that from the previous chart. With an ace, 7, the dealer's vulnerable up cards are the 3 > 4, 5, and 6, and so the hand should be doubled down against those cards.