A Run Down of the Best and Worst Blackjack Hands
When sitting at a Blackjack table, some people think that chance is the only factor to consider when playing each hand. However, this is not the case. Unlike with casino slots, the actions made by the player can possibly influence whether the hand is a success. Of course, an element of unpredictability is involved, too, as even the best blackjack hands can be beaten by the dealer!
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In this article, we dive deep into the best hands in Blackjack, while also explaining what makes them so favourable. The hands mentioned apply to virtually all types of Blackjack, including unique variations such as Quantum Blackjack Plus and Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack, alongside a selection of others that can be found online at BetVictor.
The Best Blackjack Hands
Of course, the best possible hand in this casino game is a Blackjack, consisting of an Ace and a card valued at 10. This typically awards at the rate of 3 to 2, should the dealer not have a Blackjack too. If they do show a Blackjack, this hand will be marked as a ‘Push’, meaning that the initial bet is returned.
Next up in the best Blackjack hands chart is any hand that features an Ace, also known as a ‘Soft Hand’. It’s impossible for players to bust a soft hand by hitting, meaning that there’s always a chance of improving the total value. Two aces is a great hand, too, giving players the opportunity to split, forming two soft hands that can both be hit again or doubled, if needed.
Another best hand in Blackjack to look out for is 2 tens, giving the player a total of twenty. Finally, any combination of cards that add up to 11, such as an 8 and a 3, can form a strong hand. This gives the player the potential to double down and finish on 21, with cards valued at 10 being the most common in the deck by a considerable margin.
The Worst Blackjack Hands
Now, there is one standout combination that is by far the worst hand in Blackjack, which is a combination of cards that add up to 16. This doesn’t apply to double eights, however, as these can be split to give the player a better chance of creating a strong hand.
This hand is bad as the likelihood of busting is incredibly high. However, it can only be successful if the dealer busts. Furthermore, the hand can be made even worse if the dealer is showing an Ace, 10, 9, 8, or 7 as if they draw a card valued at 10, the round will instantly be lost.
Another one of the worst blackjack hands is a 12. While a player’s first instinct may be to hit, as there are more cards valued at ten than any other, the probability of busting may be higher than you think. The same can be said for hands that total 13, 14, or 15, as in most games of Blackjack, the dealer will stand on 17+.
Blackjack Hard Hands and How to Play Them
Now that we’ve discussed the best and worst hands in Blackjack, let’s take a look at how to play various hard hands. For those that aren’t aware, a hard hand is the opposite of a soft version, where no Ace is present. This makes them a lot riskier to hit in certain situations!
- Two 10s – While it’s tempting to split tens when the dealer has a weak card, the best action is always to stand. By splitting, players can end up with two worse hands that may be beaten by the dealer.
- Hands that total 11 – With tens being the most common card, as mentioned earlier in this guide, players should double a hand that adds up to 11. This should be done on any dealer’s face card, apart from when they’re showing an Ace.
- Any card under 10 – It goes without saying, but any hand under 10 can be hit without the worry of busting. Now, while 11s are doubled in virtually all instances, some cards under 10 can also be doubled. For example, a hard 10 should be doubled unless the dealer is showing a 10 themselves, or an ace.
All of the actions mentioned above revolve around basic strategy, which offers the optimal way to play each hand in Blackjack, depending on what the dealer is showing. This has been formulated by simulating millions of hands, keeping track of the percentage success rate of each outcome.
This information has been added to a Blackjack hands chart, where players can reference their hand with the dealer’s up card. In order to read a chart, simply find where the two meet and an action will be recommended by one of these letters:
- H – Hit the hand.
- S – Stand for the round.
- DH – Double if permitted, if not, hit.
- DS – Double if permitted, if not, stand.
- P – Split
These are the typical ways that each action is shown, however, some charts may have their own key. Additional actions, such as surrender, will also be present on other Blackjack hand charts, too!
Once again, whilst these charts can serve as a handy guide, they can never be used a way of guaranteeing win.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, there are a few hands that stand out as more favourable to the player. These include hands that contain an Ace, also known as soft hands, alongside ones that total 11. Such hands can only be improved with an additional card, meaning that players can make an assessment based on the dealer’s face-up card before acting.
As for the worst hands, having a 16 is the worst-case scenario for the player, especially if the dealer is showing an Ace or a 10. Hands that add up to a total of 14 and 15 are similar, as hitting them comes with a high chance of busting.
One of the most important things for players to consider from this article is using a blackjack hands chart, in order to possibly increase their chances of success. While no strategy is ever guaranteed to win a hand of Blackjack, following basic strategy can help players optimise their chances based on what they’re dealt.
Finally, practising Blackjack can prove to be worthwhile. This can be done using demo games, Live Blackjack, or even unique variations such as Lightning Blackjack or Free Bet Blackjack. Regardless of how you play, be sure to set a limit at the start of each session and stick to it. This ensures that players stay safe when playing Blackjack online! You can visit our Safer Gambling Portal if you want more information on how to bet responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Different Blackjack Hands
The best hand in Blackjack is the combination of an Ace and a card valued at ten, known as a Blackjack. After this, any hand that includes an Ace is favourable, as are two tens and any hand that adds up to 11. Soft hands are strong as they cannot be busted after a single hit, while two tens add up to 20, which can be tough to beat. Finally, a hand valued at 11 offers the player the chance to double down, if they wish.
Statistically, the worst hand in Blackjack is 16. This is made even worse if the dealer has an Ace or 10. The reason that this hand is so bad, is that it’s rather weak on its own. However, it also comes with a high probability of busting, should the player hit. Interestingly, a hand that totals 12 can also be rather bad, as it’s deceptively easy for the player to bust by taking an extra card.
There are various rules of thumb for playing Blackjack in an optimal way, which can include always doubling down an eleven unless the dealer is showing an ace. It’s also highly recommended to not split tens but to stand instead. Of course, there is a huge range of possible situations in Blackjack, which is why basic strategy charts could be useful.
The probability of being dealt a Blackjack, regardless of the deck size, is roughly 4.83%. If this happens, the initial bet should be awarded at the rate of 3 to 2, or 1.50x.
