When to Hit, Stand or Double Down in Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino table games due to the skill element involved. Unlike slot machines where the outcome is entirely random, blackjack gives you the chance to make decisions that can affect the chances of winning each hand. By following basic blackjack strategy on when to hit, standor double down, you can significantly cut down the inherent casino house edge and optimize your odds.

Understanding the Goal and Rules

Aim to Get Closest to 21 Without Going Over

The goal in blackjack, whether you are playing at Unibet Casino or on other platforms, is to make a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10 and aces can be worth either 1 or 11. The key strategic decisions happen after you are dealt your initial two cards and have seen the dealer’s up card. This helps determine your next best move.

Options: Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, Surrender

On each turn, you have several options:

• Hit – Take another card from the deck to try to get closer to 21.
• Stand – Keep your current cards and end your turn.
• Double down – Double your bet to receive one extra card, after which your turn ends.
• Split – If your first two cards are the same value, split them into two hands.
• Surrender (some games) – Forfeit half your bet and end the hand.

Knowing when to use each option is where strategy comes in. The next sections explain guidelines for the three main choices: hit, stand and double down.

Knowing When to Hit in Blackjack

Hitting means taking an additional card from the dealer. You would hit when your hand total is low and you want to increase your chance of getting closer to 21.

Safe Threshold to Hit: 16 or Less

As a basic rule of thumb, you should hit if your hand totals 16 or less. The risk of going bust is still low at this point, while the potential reward of getting 21 is high. Standing on such a low total is likely to lead to a loss when the dealer reveals their hand.

The exception is when the dealer is showing a weak up card (2 through 6). This scenario changes things, as covered next.

When the Dealer Has a Weak Up Card

If the dealer is showing a weak card like a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, they are likely to bust if they have to hit. So with player hands of 12 through 16, your best move now depends on what the dealer has:

• If you have 12 and the dealer has 2 through 6, you should STAND rather than hit.
• If you have 13 through 16 and the dealer has 2 through 6, you should SURRENDER if allowed. If not, HIT.

Standing leaves you susceptible to lose out when the dealer turns over 21. By surrendering, you forfeit half your initial bet, but protecting against a likely loss on the full amount. With no surrender option, your best choice is to hit and try to improve your hand.

Knowing When to Stand in Blackjack

Safe Threshold to Stand: 17 or More

As a general rule, you should stand once your cards total 17 or higher. At this point, you are close enough to 21, so hitting risks going bust. Standing gives you a good chance to beat the dealer without exposing yourself to that downside risk.

The main exception is when the dealer is showing a weak up card (2 through 6). Then you may stand on lower totals to capitalize on their likelihood of busting.

Have 17 and Dealer Shows 2 through 6? Stand.

If you have a hand value of 17 or higher and the dealer is showing a weak 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, stand regardless. Their chances of busting are high, so protecting your 17 by standing is smarter than hitting and risking going over 21.

This includes the case of having a soft 17 (an ace plus a 6). Standing is still better than hitting since the dealer can’t beat your hand without busting.

Knowing When to Double Down

When Your Hand Total is 9, 10 or 11

Doubling your bet is wise when you have a strong chance of beating the dealer. Hands totaling 9, 10 or 11 are strong starting points that are worth doubling down on.

You double your original wager and receive only one extra card. This increases your potential winnings if your hand beats the dealer. Doubling down is also favorable because you limit further exposure by only getting one more card.

When Dealer is Showing Strong Up Card

The exception is when the dealer is showing a strong up card (7, 8, 9, 10 or A). Then doubling down becomes riskier since their chance of busting is lower.

With the dealer showing 7 or higher, don’t double down if you have:

• 9 versus their 7
• 10 versus their 9, 10 or A
• 11 versus their A

In these cases, just hit or stand according to the usual strategy rules instead.

Blackjack Strategy Cheat Sheet

Here is a simplified blackjack strategy guide for when to hit, stand or double down based on your hand versus the dealer’s up card:

Player Hand/Dealer Up Card	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
9	D	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
12	H	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

*Note: “D” = Double Down, “S” = Stand, “H” = Hit

By following these guidelines derived from basic blackjack strategy, you put yourself in the best position to capitalize on favorable situations (like doubling down with 10 when the dealer shows a 5) while minimizing risk in less advantageous positions. This cuts down the house edge significantly and boosts your return to player over time. Just be sure to learn the proper deviations by heart before playing for real money.