Ba! Ba! Blackjack Quiz

30 June 2024

By Frank Scoblete

Blackjack is a complicated game if you do not know what is called the “basic strategy” which is the optimum way to play your every hand against the dealer’s face-up card.

So, I’d like to quiz you on some of the hands – not all of them, mind you, as that would take a book-length manuscript. But some of the more noticeable hands that are often misplayed. Here we go!

1. You have two aces, what do you do? a.) split them, b.) surrender c.) hit them

2. You have two 8’s, what do you do? a.) quit playing immediately, b.) hit them, c.) split them

3. You have a 16 and the dealer is showing a ten-up-card, what do you do? a.) Hit it, b.) stand, c.) do as the spirit moves you

4. You have a 12 against the dealer’s 10. What do you do? a.) hit it, b.) stand, c.) ask the dealer for help in playing the hand

5. You have a six and the dealer is showing a six face-up-card. What do you do? a.) stand when a dealer shows 2-6, b.) hit 2 but stand on the rest., c.) quit playing immediately

6. You are showing a 10-10, against the dealer’s six-up-card, what do you do? a.) split, b.) stand, c.) split, pray and hope no one at the table yells at you for being stupid

7. You are allowed to double down on pairs you have split and now you get two-eights versus the dealer’ six up-card, what do you do if you get a three and a two on your split? a.) double them both, b.) pick one to double, c.) explain that you don’t know what to do with this hand

8. You have a 7 and a 2 and the dealer is showing a 6, what do you do? (a. double down, b.) quit playing as this game is ridiculous c.) seriously?

Here are your answers:

1. Always split two aces.
2. Always split two eights.
3. Hit it.
4. Hit It.
5. Stand.
6. Split.
7. Double on both hands.
8. Double on both hands.

There you have it. Some hands that often stump even seasoned blackjack players. In order to get the house edge down to about one-half percent you must learn to play basic strategy perfectly. If not? Down the tubes you’ll go.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete’s books are available from Amazon.com., Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries, and book stores.