Basic Blackjack Strategy: Tests #4 and #5

You've done great so far on the first three tests of this series. Let's ramp it up a gear for the final test questions, which deal with playing 'soft Aces' in Blackjack.

As with everything else, the only way to improve your basic skills and continue expanding your knowledge is to put yourself to the test. So let's finish out the blackjack strategy test with the two most difficult yet!

Can you make the right play here and get one step closer to taking down that elusive $1,500 and 1st place at 888 Casino? Let's find out!

TEST #4:

You have an Ace and a 7. The dealer has a 10 face up. What should you do?

A. Hit.
B. Stand.
C. Double down.

ANSWER:
This one may seem easy, but even the most seasoned Blackjack players can get mixed up on basic strategy when holding 'soft Ace'. A 'soft' hand in Blackjack is a hand where the Ace can either count as 1 or 11. When you're dealt an Ace and a 7, you have a total of 8 or 18. The 18 is 'soft', because if you hit, you cannot bust.

When dealt soft 18 against the dealer showing a 10, you should always:
A. Hit

In fact, you should hit your soft 18 in all cases where the dealer is showing a 9, 10, or Ace. While hitting does not make your hand profitable, the fact is you will lose less by hitting. Hitting lets you improve your chances and save a little bit of money. Even if you draw a bad card, you will still get a second chance to hit when holding any soft total.

Let's assess your basic strategy skills again with the final test question below.

TEST #5:

You have an Ace and a 6. The dealer has a 7 face up. What should you do?

A. Hit.
B. Stand
C. Double Down

ANSWER:
Here's another tricky situation with the soft Ace. This time you have an Ace-6 for a soft 17. Most players know that soft 17 is not a great hand, many hit the wall when the dealer has a 7. However, the basic rule remains the same and you should always:
A. Hit

Interestingly enough, this is not the case when you have a soft 17 against a dealer 3, 4, 5 or 6. When playing your Ace-6 against a dealer's 3, 4, 5, or 6, you should actually double down if the online casino allows you do to so.

So why is Hitting the correct move here against a dealer 7? While many players make the common mistake of assuming the dealer has a picture facedown, and are willing to have their 17 push with the dealer's 17, the dealer will have a picture card facedown only about 31% of the time. The best your 17 can do if the dealer doesn't bust is to push – so you're much better off hitting your soft 17 (remember, you can't bust) and trying to improve your hand.

That's it! You made it through some rigorous blackjack tests and are better off for it. Don't be afraid to go back and review these tests later and reinforce the lessons you have learned here this week at CasinoPokerNews!

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