The only information a total-dependent basic strategy player uses when making a move is their hand’s total and the value of the dealer’s upcard. Analysis of the Dealer’s Upcards and Their Strength Unlike players, the blackjack dealer never surrenders, splits pairs or doubles down regardless of what cards they have been dealt. One exception to this rule is made in the so-called H17 games where the dealer must hit their hand if it is a soft 17, or A-6 (the Ace can be assigned a value of 1 or 11 which makes it impossible for the dealer to bust on the very next hit). Dealers are normally required to draw until they reach a total of at least 17. Unlike players, the dealers are not allowed to hit their hands as many times as they want (or at least until they bust). Thus, the only information the player can work with when making a decision is the total of their hand and the value of the dealer’s exposed card.

They reveal their hole card only after players have already made their decisions. The trouble is blackjack dealers are always the last persons to complete their hand during a round of play. These rules may be different from one blackjack table to another but most of the time, the dealer receives one card facing up (their upcard) and a second one that remains hidden (their hole card) until the time comes for the dealer to act on their hand. Understanding the Rules Blackjack Dealers Abide Byīefore a player proceeds to analyze the dealer’s exposed card, they must gain a good understanding of the fixed rules a blackjack dealer abides by. Similarly, players must be able to recognize which upcards pose as a threat, giving the dealer the upper hand. The above statement is true about the player’s cards as well as about the dealer’s exposed card, which is why it is of utmost importance for blackjack players to be able to spot the instances when the dealer’s upcard puts them at disadvantage. Each of the 13 denominations is available in 4 different suits although these are largely irrelevant in the game of blackjack where suits are taken into consideration only when players post certain side bets like Lucky Ladies, King’s Bounty, and suited 777. Regardless of the number of decks in play, there are only 13 possible card denominations that can appear on the felt – Aces through Kings.

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