Best Hand in Blackjack
3 min read
One of the top hands in blackjack is known as a natural, which consists of an ace and any card valued ten or lower. This winning hand cannot be defeated by the dealer.
Hands with 11 is another ideal starting hand and should be hit unless the dealer shows two, three, four five or six as their up card.
Ace and ten
Though any beginning hand in blackjack can be lucrative, some are more advantageous than others. A pair of tens is considered a soft hand since an Ace may count either as one or eleven; thus reducing their dealer’s risk of busting when making their next card decision.
Players using basic strategy should always stand on a pair of tens, regardless of the dealer’s up card, regardless of what might happen in gameplay. When faced with four, five, or six up cards from their dealer however, hitting is most likely to improve your hand and bring it closer to a higher total total score.
Ace and face card
There are certain starting hands in blackjack which will increase your odds of success more frequently, such as a pair of 8s or six and an ace, both considered strong starting hands. On the other hand, starting off with 16 can often prove unfavorable as dealers will easily beat it.
At blackjack, the ideal opening hand consists of an ace and ten-value card – known as a natural. This cannot tie or lose and represents one of the most profitable hands available. However, splitting an ace will lower EV; your odds of landing one at around 30%.
Ace and picture card
A pair of jacks or queens is considered the top hand in blackjack. It beats hands that total 21 or higher but not Pontoon or Five Card Trick hands, while those under 21 are known as soft hands; drawing four Aces totaling 17+ makes the hand soft as well.
Mathematically speaking, a natural is the optimal hand, consisting of an Ace and any 10-value card from Ten to King in any combination. A natural cannot be defeated by dealer-face-up cards; additionally it pays out 3:2.
Ace and jack
If you are dealt an Ace and Jack as your initial starting hand in blackjack, this hand will be one of the strongest starting hands possible and should prove to be a surefire winner unless the dealer also holds a blackjack hand resulting in what’s called a tie or push and your bet being returned.
Hard 20 is another strong hand, as the dealer will find it hard to beat with their own blackjack. When presented with such an hand it may be wise to stand – especially when the dealer shows 7, 9, or A as their card; otherwise you should hit on 4, 5 and 6 when possible and split tens and eights only under certain conditions.
Ace and queen
Ace and a picture card (Jack, Queen or King) form one of the strongest hands in blackjack, creating an unbeatable combo that cannot be defeated by dealers and offering higher values than pairs or three-of-a-kind hands.
Another strong starting hand is a pair of eights. While splitting is possible, staying can give you a much stronger chance at victory.
Ace and king
Knowing which starting hands to select in blackjack can have a major effect on how the game goes. Knowing this information allows players to make better decisions that will make the experience both simpler and more pleasurable.
Starting off in blackjack with 10s or aces can be one of the best starting hands, however they should only hit them when the dealer shows five, four, or six on their up card – this will decrease their odds of getting blackjack while increasing your own chance at victory. But even strong blackjack hands may fall if faced against an aggressive dealer with strong up cards.
