When to Hit on Blackjack: The Ultimate Guide

Mastering When to Hit on Blackjack to get your hand as close to 21 as possible and avoiding busts is, ultimately, what the game is all about. After all, Blackjack is much more than a game of chance: skill, knowledge and strategy all play a major role in outsmarting the house and inclining the odds in your favor.

To hit or to stand, that is the question. Here are all the answers!

When to Hit on Blackjack: The Basics

Blackjack is all about getting to the magic number 21 with as fewer cards as possible. Going over 21 is also known as “busting”, and it automatically causes you to lose.

First, we need to know what kind of hand we’re working with. Namely, what soft and hard hands are, and what to do with them.

Let’s start with a typical soft hand scenario

Strategies for Soft and Hard Hands in Blackjack

Having an Ace in your hand allows you to maneuver and avoid busts. This is because an Ace can be counter as 11 or 1. If your count is under 21, it’ll count as 11, if you go over, it’ll rever to a 1. Simple enough, right? Well, that’s the first step to mastering When to Hit on Blackjack.

Here’s what you do with a soft hand:

Hit on a soft 17 (Ace and 6) or lower. With the Ace’s ability to convert to a 1, you can afford to take another card with less risk of busting.

For a soft 18 (Ace and 7), tailor your move to the dealer’s card. Hit if the dealer has a 9, 10, or Ace showing—these are strong cards that require you to improve your hand to stay competitive.

Stand if the dealer shows anything lower, as your chances of winning are better with a higher total.

What to do if your total reaches 17 or higher

Typically, stand if you have a hard 17 or more. The risk of busting outweighs the potential benefits of improving your hand, as your odds of drawing a helpful card are lower.

Advanced players will also realize that, depending on the dealer’s card, you’re better off surrendering to save money. An early surrender gives up half your bet, but it can be a good decision if the dealer shows a very strong hand, and yours is objectively bad.

We’ve talked about when to surrender in blackjack in a separate article, and if you’re serious about Blackjack, you’ll definitely want to read it.

What About a Hard Hand?

A hard hand is basically any hand that doesn’t have an Ace counted as 11, so if you have cards like 10-7 (total 17) or 8-6 (total 14), that’s a hard hand.

Now, when it comes to hitting with a hard hand, here’s what you do:

If your total is 8 or less, just hit. You can’t bust so just keep going

For a hard 9, take a hit unless the dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or 6 (then you double down).

If you got a hard 11 or 11, hit unless you can double down. This is especially true if the dealer shows a lower card.

Once you get to a hard 12, it gets trickier. Take a hit if the dealer shows a 2 or 3, if they show 4,5 or 6 you’re better off standing since they might bust.

From a hard 13 through 16, take a hit if the dealer shows a 7 or higher. If they show a 2 through 6, you’re better off standing and hoping they bust.

If you got a hard 17 or higher, just stand. See what the dealer has and hopefully he’ll land a bust.

The thing about Hard Hands in Blackjack is that you don’t have the Ace’s safety net, so you got no leeway. If your total is low you wanna be aggressive, but when you get to those middle numbers, you have to look at the dealer’s card and figure out the best path. Adapting in real-time is what allows you to intuitively know When to Hit on Blackjack.

Additional Hitting Strategies in Blackjack

This is a general guideline for beginners. You’ll notice that the game offers a lot of nuances, and if you’re counting cards, then the decision will become more obvious. Keep in mind that for most online games, this won’t be a realistic option though.

Here are some additional factors that you’ll want to consider:

Single vs Multiple Deck Games

If you count cards, you’ll want to look for single-deck games, because they’re significantly easier to count. This translates into more predictable outcomes, allowing you to dodge unwinnable hands and capitalizing big on your strong hands.

If you’re keeping track of the cards, you might find moments to hit where basic strategy would typically recommend standing, depending on the current card count.

Multiple-deck games are notoriously more complex, depending on the number of decks at play. So you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

Card Counting: Enhancing Your Blackjack Strategy

Card counting is, hands down, a thing left for seasoned blackjack players. It offers a tremendous edge over the house (mainly in single-deck games), but it requires a quick mind and a lot of practice.

As the name implies, card counting tracks the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck.

A high count (an abundance of high cards left) indicates more favorable conditions for the player, enhancing the likelihood of hitting high-value cards.

With a high count, you might find it safer to stand on lower totals, betting on the chance that the dealer will bust.
On the other hand, a low count (more low cards remaining) might prompt you to hit on totals higher than you typically would, aiming to reach a stronger hand.

Card counting allows you to deviate from the general guidelines we offered earlier. You might want to hit even if you have a hard 17, if you’re aware that there’s a low count that could net you a 21. Alternatively, you might want to stand and bait the house into busting if there’s a high count.

You’ll still need to evaluate your hand and the dealer’s hand, but you’ll have an extra piece of information that can turn the tide in your favor.

Debunking Common Blackjack Myths

Here are some of the more common strategic myths that can ruin your online blackjack session:

Myth: You should always assume the dealer’s hole card is a 10.

Fact: This is a terrible idea, because it’s more effective to base your moves on the dealer’s visible card and your own cards.

Myth #2: Stand on a soft 17

Fact: 17 might seem solid, but hitting is usually the smarter choice here.

Myth #3: Trust your hunch, nobody has time for maths.

Fact: Follow mathematically grounded strategies in blackjack. Even these general guidelines are better than your “hunches”. Blackjack is a numbers game, and if you keep betting, you’ll notice that well-established blackjack strategies will score more wins in the long run.

Wrapping Up: Mastering the Art of Hitting in Blackjack

With these solid foundations in place, it’s time you hit the tables and test the theory. It’s clear that the path to mastery involves continuous learning and diligent practice, but following these general guidelines will help beginners navigate the game and minimize losses. With enough practice, you’ll know When to Hit on Blackjack every time.

To sum things up:

Consistently applying strategies will enhance your odds at the table (in the long run)
Card counting can fine-tune your hitting decisions, but it demands practice and is most effective in specific casino settings.
Tap into online simulators and apps to hone your skills in a risk-free environment.

If you remember these fundamentals and keep practicing, it’s only a matter of time before you become a blackjack powerhouse.

If you respect the grind and continuously add new tools to your blackjack strategy kit, you’ll incline the odds in your favor!

Splitting can get you out of tricky and overall crappy hands, but sometimes you’re better off sticking to your main wager. We talked about when you should split in Blackjack in a separate guide we highly recommend you check out. For now, here’s when you should not split:

1. Tens (Including Jacks, Queens, and Kings):

Holding two tens or any face cards nets you a strong total of 20. This is just a step away from the perfect blackjack score of 21.
Splitting tens means breaking up a nearly guaranteed winner in hopes of drawing two equally strong hands—an unnecessary and high-risk gamble. Don’t be greedy and stick to your 20, it’s a really strong hand that will usually get you a win.

2. Never Split Fours:

A pair of fours adds up to eight, which is pretty low, but you still shouldn’t split. If you do that, each hand starts with a four which is a pretty weak base to build on. Remember, you only get one extra card per hand. Best you could get is 15 with an Ace, which is terrible.

All in all, play the eight and take your chances, maybe you’ll get a good draw on your main wager.

3. Never Split Fives:

Two fives give you a total of 10, an excellent starting point for doubling down. In blackjack, hitting a ten-value card on a double down would bring you to a near-perfect 20. We talk more about doubling down in Blackjack in a different article.

That being said, splitting fives can turn a promising hand into two really crappy ones. The best move here is to double your bet when you have a total of 10 rather than splitting and potentially squandering a solid opportunity to win big with a strong single draw.

4. Always Gamble Responsibly:

Never bet more than what you can afford to lose. Be very strict with your bankroll and betting limits, and seek help as soon as you notice that you can’t control yourself. There’s no shame in admitting this, there’s only help and understanding and a road to a better life.

FAQs on Hitting in Blackjack

When should you always hit?

Always hit when your hand total is 11 or less—you cannot bust.

What do you do if you have a soft hand?

Hit on soft 17 or lower. Stand on soft 18 unless the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.

Is it ever advisable to hit on 18?

It’s advisable to hit on soft 18 if the dealer’s card is 9, 10, or an Ace. For hard 18, it’s safer to stand.