Soft and Hard Blackjack Hands

The smallest soft hand in blackjack is twelve. A hand such as ace-8 in blackjack is called soft nineteen; it is not called nine though it can have the value of nine. Therefore the only hands that are called eleven or less are aceless hands, and the word "hard" is not needed to describe them.

Learning How to Win

Learning how to win at blackjack involves three steps:
1. Learn basic blackjack strategy.
2. Build speed at counting cards.
3. Learn blackjack strategy index numbers.

Learning Basic Blackjack Strategy

The best way to learn basic blackjack strategy is by using a computer program. I recommend Blackjack Count Analyzer or Blackjack Analyzer, but any program that gives you feedback when you deviate from basic blackjack strategy will do. You have got to practice until you know immediately what is the correct play as soon as you see your hand and the dealer's upcard.

You can of course also learn basic blackjack strategy by sitting down and memorizing a table, and by dealing hands and trying to recall how to play them. But doing this with a computer program is much more efficient — you will learn faster and build up speed faster.

A reasonable goal is to be able to play 300 hands an hour. Generally in a casino you will play 200 or fewer hands an hour, but that is with the dealer controlling the speed of the game. You have got to be able to handle 300 hands an hour when you are controlling the speed in order to be able to handle 200 when the dealer controls the tempo. (With practice, you can play considerably faster than 300 hands an hour.)

Building Speed at Counting Cards.

You have got to be able to count cards quickly, and you have got to be able to do it without moving your lips or doing anything else that gives away the fact that you are counting. You must be able to go through a deck of cards in less than 30 seconds, and it is possible to do it much faster. Hold the deck face up and, beginning your count at zero, flip through the cards, keeping the running count: +1, +2, +1, +1, and so on. At the end of the deck your running count should be zero if you have a full deck and have made no errors. Also practice counting two cards at a time, because in a casino you often will see two cards at a time.

You do not really need to practice with a deck of cards; that just is the traditional way of doing it. Using a software program is a more enjoyable and more efficient way to build speed.

Learning Strategy Index Numbers.

Different people learn different ways. I prefer to sit down with a pencil and blank piece of paper and recreate the table of strategy numbers I am trying to memorize. It is easier for me to memorize a matrix than individual numbers. Some people find it easier to memorize individual numbers, and they prefer to learn index numbers with flash cards. Make a set of cards, each of which has a decision on one side and the appropriate index number on the other side. As you learn particular decisions, you can put those flash cards aside and continue to practice with the others.

To test yourself to be sure you know the index numbers and can use them quickly, play blackjack with a software program that gives you feedback on how well you play. Again I recommend Blackjack Count Analyzer.

Learning to win at blackjack is possible and enjoyable. Depending on how much time you devote to practicing, it will take a month or two to build your skill level to the point where you can handle playing blackjack at the casino.