Best and Worst Blackjack Hands Every Player Needs to Know

It is crucial to know which blackjack hands to bet on and which ones to avoid if you aim to win the game. By understanding the value of starting hands, you can increase your chances of winning in the long run. Knowing when to hit, stand, or double down can also help you improve your gameplay and potentially walk away with more money. All in all, being aware of the best winning blackjack combinations is important for every player. So, let’s learn everything about the best and worst blackjack hands.

Overview of Blackjack Rules and Objectives

Before we discuss blackjack hands, let’s review the basic rules of the game. Blackjack is a card game that is extremely popular at online casinos in the US. It is played with one or more decks of 52 cards. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by collecting a hand that is worth more points than the dealer’s hand, without going over 21. Each card in the deck is worth a certain number of points:

• Numbered cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) are worth their face value;
• Face cards (Kings, Queens, and Jacks) are worth 10 points each;
• Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on the player’s choice.

At the beginning of each round, the player receives two cards face up from the dealer. The dealer also gets two cards: face up and face down. Then, the player has the option to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep their current hand). The player can continue to hit until they are satisfied with their hand or until they go over 21, at which point they “bust” and lose the hand.

Once the player’s turn is finished, the dealer reveals his face-down card and hits until his hand is worth 17 or more points. If the dealer busts, the player wins the hand. If the dealer’s hand is worth more points than the player’s hand, or if the player busts, it’s the dealer’s win. Playing blackjack at online casinos like Ignition is very similar, however, there’s no dealer in RNG-based games. Real hosts are present only in Live Blackjack. 

What are the Best and Worst Blackjack Hands?

Knowing which hands to bet on and which ones to avoid is important. While luck is certainly a factor in blackjack, a solid strategy can increase your chances of winning. By having an idea about hands that are statistically more likely to win, you can make more informed decisions and save money in potentially losing situations. So, what are the best and worst blackjack hands?

Best Starting Hands in Blackjack

When it comes to starting hands in blackjack, there are four hands that are considered the best. First, it’s 21. Getting an Ace plus any card with a 10-point value is the best starting hand that can’t lose. Even if the dealer gets 21 too, there will be a tie, resulting in bet money getting back to the player.

Another great hand is 20, made of two cards worth 10 points each. This is the second-best combination the player can get from the start. Although the dealer still has a chance to hit 21, the odds are in the player’s favor. In 96% of cases, it is the winning hand at online gambling sites in the US. 

Two Aces are a great combination to start the game because it gives the potential to have a hand worth either 2 or 12 points, depending on how the player chooses to value the Aces. This gives a lot of flexibility and increases your chances of getting a strong hand. 

Finally, a hand worth 10 points is also a strong starting hand because it is a relatively high value in blackjack. Additionally, it gives a lot of space for maneuvers, letting players hit more than once. 

Worst Starting Hands in Blackjack

Speaking about the best and worst blackjack hands, it’s crucial to mention combinations putting players in the least favorable position from the start. There are a few starting hands that you should always try to avoid at all cost, or use cheating methods in blackjack if you got them.

The worst starting hand in the game is a hand worth 16 points, meaning two 8s. There are only a few cards (5s and lower) that can improve your hand, while 6s and higher will cause you to bust if you hit. Additionally, if the dealer’s face-up card is a 7 or higher, you’re in an even worse position because the dealer is more likely to have a strong hand. 

Other questionable starting hands include any two cards worth 15 points or fewer in total. These hands are also relatively weak and leave little space for additional moves. However, it is also important to consider the dealer’s card from the start and make decisions based on both participants’ hands.

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