DEALER UPCARD READS

About 31% of the deck is 10-value, so pros assume the hole card is a 10. Dealer 2-6 is weak (4, 5, 6 are the "bust cards" - they bust 40-42% of the time). Dealer 7-A is strong: assume they land 17-21 and you need a real hand to win.

HARD HANDS

• 17 or more - always stand.
• 13-16 - stand vs dealer 2-6, hit vs 7-A. Let the bust card bust.
• 12 - stand only vs 4, 5, 6. Otherwise hit.
• 11 - double vs everything except an ace.
• 10 - double vs 2-9, hit vs 10 or ace.
• 9 - double vs 3-6, otherwise hit.
• 8 or less - always hit.

SOFT HANDS (ace counts as 11)

• A-8 or better - always stand.
• A-7 - stand vs 2, 7, 8. Double vs 3-6. Hit vs 9, 10, A.
• A-6 - double vs 3-6, otherwise hit.
• A-4, A-5 - double vs 4-6, otherwise hit.
• A-2, A-3 - double vs 5-6, otherwise hit.

PAIRS

• Aces and 8s - always split.
• 10s and 5s - never split (20 stands, two 5s double as a 10).
• 9s - split vs 2-6, 8, 9. Stand vs 7, 10, A.
• 7s - split vs 2-7.
• 6s - split vs 2-6.
• 4s - split vs 5-6 only.
• 2s and 3s - split vs 2-7.

GOLDEN RULES

• Dealer shows a bust card (4-6)? Stand on anything 12+ and let them self-destruct.
• Never take insurance - it's a sucker bet.
• Basic strategy doesn't guarantee a hand. It guarantees the best odds over hundreds of hands.