How to use the blackjack hit rule to improve your game

Ready to elevate your online blackjack experience? The blackjack hit is your go-to move for improving your hand. This action means asking for another card to get closer to 21. Unlike other blackjack moves like stand and double down, hitting lets you take cards until you reach a better total or decide to stop. 

Understanding the timing and how to use this move can boost your odds of beating the dealer and improve your expected value. This guide breaks down the strategies behind hitting and the rules to master your play. Keep reading to make informed betting choices and play like a pro at Bitcasino!

What is a blackjack hit?

A blackjack hit is a common move when you ask the dealer for another card to add to your hand total. It works best when your total is low, like 8 or 9, and you want to get closer to 21. This move helps you build a stronger hand and gain an edge to beat the dealer. You can keep hitting as long as you don’t bust or go over 21, which means you lose.

Besides hit, you can use other common moves in blackjack games, including:

• Stand: Keep your cards and end your turn.
• Double down: Double your bet, get one card, then stand.
• Split: If your first two cards match, split them and play as two hands.
• Surrender: Give up half your bet to end the round early.

Each action serves a different goal and changes your play style. Using these moves with hitting helps you make better choices at the table.

What are the blackjack hit rules to keep in mind

Knowing the right time to hit changes your blackjack game. The blackjack hit rules guide your smart moves and help you avoid costly mistakes. They vary depending on the table or the online gambling platforms you play on, but they shape how you must act. 

Check out these key points to master your blackjack hit timing:

When can you hit

You can hit anytime your hand total stays under 21. For example, if you hold a 7 and 5, your total is 12, so you can ask for another card. If your first two cards, like an Ace and a 10, add up to 21 (a natural blackjack), you cannot hit anymore. That means you hold the best possible hand and win right away. Knowing these limits lets you plan smart betting strategies and avoid losing your chips early.

Dealer’s hitting rules

The dealer must hit when their hand totals 16 or less. This puts pressure on you to build a stronger hand to beat them. They must also stand when the total reaches 17 or more, which gives you a clearer idea of when to stop hitting. 

Some tables or online gambling platforms, including Bitcasino, may have the dealer hit on a soft 17 (a hand with an Ace counting as 11). This rule slightly increases the house edge and can impact your winning odds. 

Platform and game variations

Casinos and game variations can change the hitting rules. Some blackjack games limit how many times you can hit. Others change rules for doubling down or splitting pairs. 

Online gambling platforms like Bitcasino show these rules before you play, or the dealer explains them at the start. Checking the rules helps you avoid unwanted surprises and keeps you from making poor betting choices.

Limits after special moves

Some special moves limit how often you can hit. When you double your bet, you get only one extra card and must stand right after. You can’t hit again after that. If you split two cards of the same value, you play each hand separately and follow the standard hitting rules. 

However, some casinos don’t allow hitting after splitting Aces. Always check the rules on Bitcasino before you play to know how these moves affect your chances and plan your strategy better.

Why blackjack hit timing is crucial

Hitting isn’t just about taking another card but also choosing the right time. You want to hit when your total is low enough to avoid busting but still beat the dealer. Monitor your hand total and the dealer’s face-up card to decide when to hit or stand.

For example, if they show a strong card like 7 or higher, hit more to build a better hand.  Stand if the dealer shows a weak card like 2 to 6, since they might bust. Follow the blackjack hit rules and time your moves well to improve your chances of winning.

How to hit in blackjack

Hitting in blackjack is a simple but crucial action. It can change the game flow and result, so knowing how to do it right increases your blackjack hit probability. This move also helps you adapt to the dealer’s hand and stay in control of your bets. 

Here’s a clear step-by-step guide on how to hit smart and fast in blackjack.

Step 1: Get your cards

Join a blackjack table at Bitcasino and place your wagers. You and the dealer each get two cards, but the dealer shows one face up. Decide to hit or stand based on your hand and the dealer’s shown card. For example, if you have a total of 8 and the dealer shows 10, hitting is smart since your total is low.

Step 2: Choose to hit

If you want another card, choose the ‘hit’ option on your screen. This will prompt the software to deal you a new card right away. In live blackjack tables, dealers ask for your next move but give you limited time, so decide fast but carefully. Hitting when your total is low, like 10, can give you a better chance of reaching a strong hand.

Step 3: Watch for bust

Once you get your new card, check your total and plan your next moves. Remember, hitting risks going over 21, which means you bust instantly. For example, if you hit and get a 10, bringing your total to 20, you’re in a strong spot. However, if you hit again and get a 5, your total jumps to 25, and you lose the round. Always weigh the risk before hitting again.

Step 4: Stand to end your turn

If you don’t want more cards, choose the stand option on the screen. This means you keep your current total and wait for the dealer’s turn. This move is smart to avoid busting and losing your bet.

Step 5: Watch the dealer’s play

After you stand, the dealer reveals their hidden card and follows set rules. They hit if their total is 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. Watch how the dealer plays—this helps you learn when to hit or stand. Stay alert, watch the game to plan your next moves, and adjust your blackjack strategies to win without card counting.

Blackjack hit strategy: Boost your odds of winning

The hit strategy can be helpful to build a stronger hand, but like any move, it carries risk. Stay in charge of your play and decide when to take another card or stop. 

This simple approach lowers the house edge but doesn’t remove it, as the casino always keeps an advantage in the long run. Use this strategy for standard rules, but adjust it based on the table setup.

Here are the key factors that affect your choices:

• Deck count: It affects the odds of drawing high or low cards. More decks mean more options in play, making it harder to guess which ones remain.
• Dealer's play: Watch if the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. This can change your move since it affects how likely the dealer might bust.

Learn to spot these factors on Bitcasino blackjack tables so you can plan your hits with confidence. It’s also smart to use a simple chart that guides your actions for better results.

Basic strategy chart

The blackjack hit strategy chart gives clear moves based on your hand and the dealer's face-up card. It points you to the best action to boost your odds and lower risk. The chart uses simple codes and hand types to help you pick smart hits and avoid busting:

• H = Hit 
• S = Stand
• D = Double down
• R = Surrender 
• P = Split

Here are detailed breakdowns of the charts for hard hands, soft hands, and pairs:

Hard hand: Card combination without Ace

A hard hand means your total has no Ace. You have solid numbers like 8 or 10. Use this chart to see if you should hit, stand, double down, or surrender based on your hand and the dealer’s card. 

Check your total on the left side and the dealer’s face-up card at the top. Find where they meet to see your move. For example, if you have 12 and the dealer shows 4, you should stand (S). This helps you avoid busting when the dealer has a weaker card.

Player total	Dealer's face card: 2	Dealer's face card: 3	Dealer's face card: 4	Dealer's face card: 5	Dealer's face card: 6	Dealer's face card: 7	Dealer's face card: 8	Dealer's face card: 9	Dealer's face card: 10	Ace
8 or less	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
12	H	H	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	R	H
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	R	R	R
17 or more	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Soft hand: Card combinations with Ace

A soft hand has an Ace that counts as 1 or 11. This gives you more ways to play your cards and helps you avoid losing the round. 

For example, with A and 6 against the dealer’s 5, you should double down (D) since you can improve your total. The soft hand strategy helps you take balanced risks and aim for better results.

Player hand	Dealer's face card: 2	Dealer's face card: 3	Dealer's face card: 4	Dealer's face card: 5	Dealer's face card: 6	Dealer's face card: 7	Dealer's face card: 8	Dealer's face card: 9	Dealer's face card: 10	Ace
A and 2	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A and 3	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A and 4	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A and 5	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A and 6	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A and 7	S	D	D	D	D	S	S	H	H	H
A and 8	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A and 9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Pair or split: When the first two cards are the same

When you get a pair, split it into two hands and play each one on its own. For example, split two 3s if the dealer shows a 4 to get two chances to beat a weak card. 

However, if you hold two 10s, stand (S) since this is already a strong card. Splitting can change the game in your favour when you choose the right time.

Player hand	Dealer's face card: 2	Dealer's face card: 3	Dealer's face card: 4	Dealer's face card: 5	Dealer's face card: 6	Dealer's face card: 7	Dealer's face card: 8	Dealer's face card: 9	Dealer's face card: 10	Ace
2 and 2	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
3 and 3	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
4 and 4	H	H	H	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5 and 5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
6 and 6	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
7 and 7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
8 and 8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
9 and 9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
10 and 10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A and A	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P

When to hit in blackjack?

Knowing when to hit in blackjack gives you better control of your hand and decisions. It also helps extend your playtime and improves your chances of getting a huge payout. Learn to spot when a hit makes sense and play with more control.

Check out these example spots to see when to hit in blackjack:

• Low totals (8 or less): Hit since you can’t go over 21 with one more card. For example, drawing on 6 or 7 is safe and builds your hand.
• Middle totals (9 to 11): Hit or double down if the dealer’s card looks weak. Pulling a 10 can give you a strong 19 to 21.
• Dealer shows strong card: When the dealer shows 7 or higher, keep hitting to try to beat a likely high total.
• Watch for bust risk: Once you get close to 21, like at 18 or 19, think hard about hitting. One high card can end your round and lose your bet.

Practice your blackjack hit at Bitcasino

Bitcasino gives you a secure place to test your hit moves with a wide range of high-quality blackjack games. It uses a provably fair system to ensure results are fair and gives every player a real shot at winning. 

With a smooth sign-up process and easy mobile play, you can join a virtual table anytime, anywhere. Plus, Bitcasino supports crypto payment methods like Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC). You can deposit and withdraw your funds quickly and safely. Practice your blackjack hit today and play with more control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does ‘hit’ mean in blackjack?

A hit in blackjack means asking for another card to add to your total. It helps you get closer to 21 and beat the dealer.

What is the difference between soft and hard hands?

A soft hand has an Ace that can count as 1 or 11, giving you more ways to play. A hard hand has no Ace or counts it as 1, making it less flexible.

How does it affect the game if the dealer hits on soft 17?

If the dealer hits on a soft 17, they have a better chance of improving their hand. This rule slightly raises the house edge and makes it harder for you to win.

When should I hit in blackjack?

Hit when your total is low, like 8 or 9. Hit more if the dealer shows a strong card, like a 7 or higher. Always think about the risk of going over 21 before you hit.

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