Gaming Guru

Frank Scoblete's Lucky 13: A Simple Basic Strategy for Blackjack

Afraid of going to the blackjack tables because you haven't the slightest idea of what to do with your hands? You can cut the house edge to below one percent by using the following "Lucky 13" basic strategy moves.

That's right, by employing these simple 13 decisions you'll face a lower house edge than you would if you were playing slot machines, most video poker machines, roulette, baccarat, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud. In fact, you'll face a lower house edge than on almost all craps bets including Pass, Don't Pass, Come, Don't Come.

If you've been afraid to play blackjack -- print this page and take it to the casino. If you find you like blackjack, then you can move on to the complete basic strategies that can be found in the books at the bottom of this page.

Frank Scoblete's Lucky 13:
A Simple Basic Strategy for Blackjack

1. Always split aces.
2. Always split eights.
3. Always stand when you have 17 or more.
4. Always hit your 12 through 16 when the dealer has an upcard of 7 or more.
5. Always hit your 12 against a dealer upcard of 2 or 3.
6. Always stand on your 12 against a dealer's 4 through 6.
7. Always stand on your 13 through 16 against a dealer upcard of 2 through 6.
8. Always hit hand totals of 11 or less, no matter how many cards compose them, against all dealer upcards.
9. Always double on two-card totals of 11 when dealer has an upcard of 10 or lower.
10. Always double on two-card totals of 10 when dealer has an upcard of 9 or lower.
11. Always stand on your hands of A7, A8, A9 against all dealer upcards.
12. Always hit on your hands of A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 against all dealer upcards.
13. Never take insurance.

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