Best and Worst Starting Hands in Blackjack

Understanding the best and worst starting hands in blackjack is crucial for any player who wants to improve their gameplay and strategy. These hands lay the foundation for decisions made throughout the game, impacting whether you should hit, stand, double down, or split.

Starting hands are the first two cards dealt, and they set the tone for the entire round. By mastering which hands give you an advantage and which ones put you at risk, you can optimize your chances of winning and minimize losses. Strong knowledge of starting hands allows players to act with confidence, making more strategic and informed decisions at the table.

What Are Starting Hands in Blackjack?

A starting hand in blackjack refers to the first two cards dealt to a player. These cards heavily influence the decisions made during that round.

Blackjack Card Values

Number Cards (2-10): These are worth their face value.
Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): Valued at 10 points each.
Aces: The most flexible card, which can be valued as either 1 or 11 depending on what benefits the player.

Types of Hands

Hard Hands: A hand that contains no Ace or where the Ace is counted as 1. These hands are more rigid and have a higher risk of busting (e.g., 10 + 7 = 17). Typically weaker and more difficult to play.
Soft Hands: A hand that includes an Ace counted as 11, allowing for flexibility since the Ace can be converted to 1 if necessary (e.g., Ace + 6 = 17). Often considered stronger due to the ability to adjust and avoid busting.

Best Starting Hands and How to Play Them

In blackjack, certain starting hands give you a clear advantage. Knowing how to play these hands can significantly improve your chances of winning.

Blackjack (Ace + 10-value card)

The strongest hand in the game totals 21. Immediate win unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case there is a tie.
Strategy: No further action is required.
Probability of Winning: ~99% (automatic win unless tie)

Two Aces

A strong combination of cards to start playing, very flexible and with a high probability of winning.
Strategy: Always split Aces, as you can potentially create two winning hands, each with the possibility of hitting a 10-value card.
Probability of Winning: ~88% after splitting Aces vs. weak dealer card (2-6)

Hard 20 (Two 10-value cards)

A strong hand that totals 20. Rarely beatable unless the dealer gets 21.
Strategy: Always stand. Splitting is a common mistake that weakens your chances of winning.
Probability of Winning: ~83% vs. dealer 7 or weaker

Total of 11

A powerful hand with a high chance of hitting 21.
Strategy: Always double down unless the dealer shows an Ace or a 10-value card.
Probability of Winning: ~63-65% (high chance of making 21)

Soft 18 (Ace + 7)

Soft 18 is a flexible hand with the Ace counted as 11.
Strategy: Stand if the dealer shows a weak card (2-6). Hit or double down if the dealer shows a stronger card (9 or 10). Note that the Ace can be counted as 1 or 11, so hitting and drawing a high card like a 9 or 10 is not a problem.
Probability of Winning: ~60-65% depending on the dealer’s card

Starting Hand	Best Strategy	Estimated Probability of Winning
Blackjack (Ace + 10-value card)	Unbeatable unless the dealer ties.	~99%
Two Aces	Always split to form two potentially strong hands, each with a chance to hit a 10-value card.	~88%
Hard 20 (Two 10-value cards)	Always stand. Splitting weakens your hand.	~83%
Total of 11	Always double down unless the dealer shows an Ace or 10-value card.	~63-65%
Soft 18 (Ace + 7)	Stand if dealer shows 2-6. Hit or double down if dealer shows 9-10.	~60-65%

Worst Starting Hands and How to Play Them

Certain starting hands in blackjack put players in a difficult position. These hands require a careful strategy to minimize losses and make the best out of a bad situation.

Hard 16 (versus a dealer’s 10 or Ace)

Hard 16 is a dangerous hand, considered one of the worst hands, with high bust risk if hitting and low chances of success if standing.
Strategy: Hit if the dealer shows a strong card (7 or higher). Stand if the dealer shows a weak card (2-6). Surrender if available, especially against a 10 or Ace.
Probability of losing: ~77-80% depending on the dealer’s card

Hard 15 (versus a dealer’s 10)

Close to hard 16, this is a risky hand. Slightly better than a hard 16 but still weak.
Strategy: Hit against strong dealer cards (7 or higher). Stand against weaker cards (2-6). Surrender if the dealer shows a 10.
Probability of losing: ~75-78% when the dealer shows 10

Soft 17 (Ace + 6)

Soft 17 is a flexible but weak hand, offering some flexibility with the Ace, but often not strong enough to stand on.
Strategy: Always hit, as the Ace prevents you from busting. Standing leaves you vulnerable to the dealer's stronger hands.
Probability of losing: ~58-60% depending on the dealer’s upcard

Starting Hand	Best Strategy	Estimated Probability of Losing
Hard 16 (vs. dealer’s 10 or Ace)	Hit if dealer shows 7+; Stand if dealer shows 2-6. Surrender vs. 10/Ace.	~77-80%
Hard 15 (vs. dealer’s 10)	Hit against strong dealer cards (7+). Stand vs. weak cards (2-6). Surrender if the dealer shows a 10.	~75-78%
Soft 17 (Ace + 6)	Always hit. Too weak to stand but you can't bust immediately.	~58-60%

Our final advice:

It is important to know the best and worst starting hands in blackjack to avoid making big mistakes. The key point to remember is that strong hands like hard 20 should always be played conservatively by standing, while weaker hands like hard 16 or soft 17 require more careful management, often involving hitting or folding. This is the basis of any strategy to minimize your losses and maximize your winnings.

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