Blackjack

When an Ace counts as 11, the hand is called soft. Example. A + 6 = soft 17. If you hit and get an 8, the Ace switches to 1, giving you 15 instead of 25. You cannot bust a soft hand with one hit, and that is what makes them flexible.

HitKey H

Take another card. You can hit as many times as you want.

Use it when your hand is too low to compete. Standing on 12 against a dealer's 10 almost never wins.

StandKey S

Keep your hand. Your turn ends and the dealer plays.

Use it when your hand is already strong (17 or higher), or when the dealer is showing 4, 5, or 6. They bust about 40% of the time with those upcards.

Double downKey X

Double your bet, take exactly one card, then stand automatically. Available only on your first two cards.

Use it when you have 10 or 11 and the dealer looks weak. You are likely to land a strong hand, so you want more money at stake.

SplitKey P

If your two cards match, split them into two separate hands. Each gets a new second card. Costs an additional bet equal to your original.

Always split Aces (two shots at 21) and 8s (16 is terrible, but two 8s have more potential). Never split 10s (20 is nearly unbeatable) or 5s (a hard 10 is better for doubling).

Start with the "always" rules. Always hit 8 or less. Always stand on hard 17 or higher. Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s. Always double on 11. Once these are automatic, learn the gray areas.