blackjack<\/a>, you\u2019ve probably heard about \u201csingle deck\u201d games and wondered what makes them different. This guide will explain what single-deck blackjack is, how to play it smart, and why basic strategy is important\u2014but not the whole story.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Is Single-Deck Blackjack?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Single-deck blackjack is a version of the game played with only one deck of 52 cards. It gives them a better chance of winning compared to games with 6 or 8 decks. That\u2019s partly true, but only if you use the correct strategy.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy Basic Strategy Matters<\/b><\/h2>\n
Basic strategy is the best way to play each hand based on math, not guesswork. It tells you exactly what to do depending on:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- What cards you have<\/span><\/li>\n
- What card the dealer is showing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can use a strategy chart to help. Look at your hand on the left side of the chart and the dealer\u2019s card across the top. The chart will tell you when to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Hit (take another card)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Stand (keep your total)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Double (double your bet and take one more card)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Split (separate a pair into two hands)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Surrender (give up your hand and lose half your bet\u2014only allowed in some games)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Different charts depend on the rules of the game, especially whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17 (that\u2019s a 17 made with an ace and a 6).<\/span><\/p>\nA Few Basic Rules to Remember<\/b><\/h2>\n
Here are some simple phrases to help you learn faster:<\/span><\/p>\nSplitting:<\/b><\/h4>\n\n- Always split Aces<\/span><\/li>\n
- Never split Tens<\/span><\/li>\n
- Always split 8s<\/span><\/li>\n
- Split 2s through 7s if the dealer has a weak card (2\u20137)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Never split 5s\u2014treat them like a 10 and double if the dealer has 2\u20139<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Soft Totals (You have an Ace counted as 11):<\/b><\/h4>\n\n- A,9 (soft 20):<\/b> Always stand<\/span><\/li>\n
- A,8 (soft 19):<\/b> Double if the dealer shows 6, otherwise stand<\/span>
\n<\/span>A,7 (soft 18):<\/b> Double if dealer shows 2\u20136, hit if 9\u2013Ace, otherwise stand<\/span><\/li>\n- A,6 or lower:<\/b> Try to double if the dealer has 4\u20136, otherwise hit<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHard Totals (No Ace or Ace counts as 1):<\/b><\/h4>\n\n- 17 or more:<\/b> Always stand<\/span><\/li>\n
- 12\u201316:<\/b> Stand if dealer shows 2\u20136, otherwise hit<\/span><\/li>\n
- 11:<\/b> Always double<\/span><\/li>\n
- 10:<\/b> Double if dealer has 2\u20139, otherwise hit<\/span><\/li>\n
- 9:<\/b> Double if dealer has 3\u20136<\/span><\/li>\n
- 8 or less:<\/b> Always hit<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSurrender:<\/b><\/h4>\n\n- Surrender 16 against a dealer\u2019s 9 through Ace<\/span><\/li>\n
- Surrender 15 against a dealer\u2019s 10<\/span><\/li>\n
- If you can\u2019t surrender, follow the hard total rules<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Basic Strategy Isn\u2019t Everything<\/b><\/h2>\n
Many beginners think that if they memorize the strategy chart, they\u2019ll beat the casino. That\u2019s not true. A basic strategy helps you lose less, but it doesn\u2019t eliminate the house edge.<\/span><\/p>\nTo win long term, you need to learn card counting, betting strategies, and how to change your play based on the cards left in the deck. That\u2019s called \u201cstrategy deviations,\u201d and it\u2019s something you can learn later once you master the basics.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to Learn Basic Strategy<\/b><\/h2>\n\n- Start with one chart.<\/b> Don\u2019t confuse yourself by looking at too many.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Practice a lot.<\/b> Use flashcards, apps, or print out a blank chart and fill it in by memory.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Be perfect.<\/b> If you make a mistake once every 100 hands, you\u2019re not ready yet. You want to get it 100% right even under pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Know the difference.<\/b> Charts are slightly different for games where the dealer hits on soft 17 (H17) vs. stands on soft 17 (S17). Additionally, single-deck and multi-deck games exhibit minor differences.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Final Thoughts<\/b><\/h2>\n\n- Never take insurance.<\/b> It\u2019s a bad bet, even in single-deck games.<\/span><\/li>\n
- If you can\u2019t split a pair (because of casino rules), play it like a regular hand based on the total value.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Stick to one strategy source. Mixing charts from different websites can confuse you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Mastering single-deck blackjack starts with basic strategy, but doesn\u2019t end there. Think of it as your first step. Once you\u2019ve nailed it, you\u2019ll be ready for more advanced skills like counting cards and playing with an edge.<\/span><\/p>\nFAQ<\/b><\/h2>\nWhat Is Single-Deck Blackjack?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Single-deck blackjack is a version of the game played with just one deck of cards. In this game, the dealer <\/span>hits<\/span><\/i> on a soft 17 (a hand consisting of an Ace and a 6). You can split up to three hands, but you can\u2019t surrender. If you split Aces, you\u2019ll only get one card for each.<\/span><\/p>\nIs Single-Deck Blackjack Better Than Multi-Deck?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Yes, single-deck blackjack usually gives you better odds. The fewer decks in play, the easier it is to get a blackjack. For example, your chance of getting a blackjack in an 8-deck game is about 98% of what it is in a single-deck game. That slight difference matters over time, making single-deck blackjack a better option for smart players.<\/span><\/p>\nDo Casinos Still Offer Single-Deck Blackjack?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Yes, but it\u2019s rare. Since single-deck games give players better odds, casinos often make the rules tougher, like paying only 6:5 for a blackjack instead of the usual 3:2, or limiting when you can double down. These changes help the casino keep its edge.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Are the Odds in Single-Deck Blackjack?<\/b><\/h3>\n
If you play perfectly, your chances of winning a hand are about 42%. The dealer wins around 49%, and about 9% of hands end in a tie, known as a push. With a perfect strategy, the house edge in single-deck blackjack is around 0.5%, which is lower than many other casino games.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you’re new to blackjack, you\u2019ve probably heard about \u201csingle deck\u201d games and wondered what makes them different. This guide will explain what single-deck blackjack is, how to play it smart, and why basic strategy is important\u2014but not the whole story. What Is Single-Deck Blackjack? Single-deck blackjack is a version of the game played with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":11647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
What Is Single-Deck Blackjack? Rules, Odds & Why It\u2019s Better<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n