Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in both land-based and online casinos, prized for its blend of luck and strategy. Whether you’re playing in a traditional casino or exploring online casinos not on GamStop, understanding the best blackjack hands can give you a significant edge and make your gaming experience more enjoyable. This article will break down what makes a blackjack hand strong, how to play various combinations, and what you should know to maximise your chances of winning at the table.
Understanding Blackjack Hands
At its core, blackjack is about achieving a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. The best possible hand is known as a “blackjack” – an Ace combined with a 10-point card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) dealt as your first two cards. However, there’s more to mastering the game than just hoping for this perfect combination.
To succeed in blackjack, you need to recognise which hands offer the most potential and how to play them. This knowledge is especially useful whether you’re playing at online casinos UK or at a physical table.
Card Values and Hand Totals
Before diving into the best hands, it’s important to understand how cards are valued in blackjack:
- Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10 points.
- Aces can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which is more favourable for your hand.
This flexibility with Aces is central to many of the best hands in blackjack.
The Best Starting Hands in Blackjack
Some hands are statistically stronger than others. Here are the top starting hands you’ll encounter, along with advice on how to play them:
1. Blackjack (Ace + 10-Value Card)
This is the ultimate hand in blackjack – an Ace paired with any 10-point card. If you’re dealt a blackjack, you’ll typically win 1.5 times your bet (unless the dealer also has a blackjack, resulting in a push).
How to Play: Always stand. This is a winning hand unless the dealer matches you.
2. Hard 20 (Two 10-Value Cards)
A pair of 10s, or any combination of face cards and 10s, gives you a total of 20. This is a very strong hand, beaten only by a dealer’s 21.
How to Play: Always stand. Splitting 10s is generally not recommended, as 20 is almost always a winning total.
3. Soft 21 (Ace + 10-Value Card After a Hit or Split)
If you reach 21 with an Ace counted as 11 and a 10-value card after hitting or splitting, it’s still a powerful hand, though it may not pay out as a natural blackjack.
How to Play: Stand, as you cannot improve your hand further.
4. Soft 19 or 20 (Ace + 8/9)
A soft total involves an Ace counted as 11. Soft 19 (Ace + 8) and soft 20 (Ace + 9) are strong hands. Soft hands give you the flexibility to hit without the risk of busting, as the Ace can be revalued as 1 if needed.
How to Play: Stand in most cases, but consider doubling down on soft 19 if the dealer shows a 6, depending on house rules.
5. Pairs of Aces or Eights
While not strong as a total, pairs of Aces and eights are the best pairs to split in blackjack. Splitting gives you two chances to build strong hands.
- Aces: Always split. Two Aces give you the chance for two hands starting with an 11.
- Eights: Always split. Two eights total 16, which is a weak hand, but splitting gives you a better chance to build a winning hand.
Hands That Require Careful Play
Not all hands are straightforward. Some require a more nuanced approach, especially when playing at UK casinos not on GamStop or other online platforms with varying rules.
Hard 16 (No Aces)
A hard 16 is one of the trickiest hands in blackjack. It’s too low to stand confidently but risky to hit as you could easily bust.
How to Play: If the dealer shows a 7 or higher, hit. If the dealer has a 6 or lower, stand.
Soft 17 (Ace + 6)
Soft 17 is a flexible hand, but it’s not as strong as soft 18 or higher.
How to Play: Hit against dealer 9, 10, or Ace. Stand against dealer 2 through 8. Some strategies recommend doubling down if the dealer shows a 3 through 6.
Why Some Hands Are Better Than Others
The strength of a blackjack hand depends on its total, the flexibility it offers, and the dealer’s upcard. Hands that allow you to stand with a high total or give you the option to hit without busting are generally the most valuable.
- High Totals: Totals of 19, 20, or 21 are strong because they’re rarely beaten by the dealer.
- Soft Hands: Hands with an Ace counted as 11 are valuable because you can hit without the risk of busting.
- Pairs for Splitting: Certain pairs, like Aces and eights, give you a strategic advantage when split.
Strategy Tips for Playing the Best Hands
Knowing the best starting hands is only part of the equation. How you play each hand, especially in relation to the dealer’s upcard, is crucial. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your strong hands:
- Always split Aces and eights. This maximises your chances of building a winning hand from a weak starting point.
- Never split 10s or 5s. A total of 20 or 10 is better played as a single hand.
- Double down on 11. When you have a total of 11, doubling your bet and taking one more card is often a profitable move, especially if the dealer shows a lower card.
- Use basic strategy charts. These charts provide guidance on the statistically best moves for every hand, based on the dealer’s upcard.
How Blackjack Rules and Variants Affect Hand Value
The value of blackjack hands can change depending on the specific rules and variants offered by the casino. For example, Some online casinos pay 6:5 for a blackjack instead of the standard 3:2, which reduces the value of the best hand. Other rule variations include whether the dealer stands or hits on soft 17, the number of decks in play, and whether doubling after splitting is allowed.
If you’re playing at online casinos UK, check the rules for each table before you start. Some sites also offer side bets and special features, but these don’t affect the basic value of your starting hands.
Common Blackjack Variants
- European Blackjack: The dealer receives only one card face up until all players have acted. This changes the risk calculation for certain hands.
- Single Deck Blackjack: With fewer cards, the odds of hitting a blackjack or high-value hand increase slightly.
- Blackjack Switch: Players are dealt two hands and can swap the top cards between them, creating more opportunities for strong hands.
Understanding the house rules and game variants is essential for making the most of your best hands.
Practical Examples: Playing the Best Hands
Let’s look at how you might play some of the best blackjack hands in real scenarios:
Example 1: You’re Dealt Ace + King
This is a natural blackjack. Unless the dealer also has a blackjack, you win instantly and receive the higher payout.
Example 2: You’re Dealt Two 10s
You have 20. Stand, as splitting would give you two weaker hands. This is one of the safest positions in the game.
Example 3: You’re Dealt Two 8s
Your total is 16, a notoriously weak hand. Split the eights to create two new hands, each starting with