How Do You Play Blackjack Hole Card?

Another blog on the almost inexhaustible topic of Blackjack.

Blackjack Hole Card

In the most common Blackjack variants, there are two different approaches to the dealer’s hand. While in Europe and Asia the dealer usually has only one face-up card before the players’ actions begin, the following procedure is often used in America:
After the players receive their initial face-up cards, the dealer places their first card face-up.
Then, after the second round of face-up cards for the players, the dealer immediately places a second, face-down card – the Hole Card.

Key Differences in Gameplay

• Upcard is an Ace: If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, the croupier asks players whether they would like to take insurance against the dealer having Blackjack. Once the players have made their decisions and placed any relevant insurance bets, the Hole Card is checked.
  –  Dealer has Blackjack: Insurance is paid out and the game ends immediately for all hands.
  –  Dealer does not have Blackjack: Insurance bets are lost, and gameplay continues as usual with the standard options: hit, stand, double down, or split.
• Upcard is a Ten-Value Card: The dealer’s hand is also checked for Blackjack. Apart from the insurance option, the process is the same as when the dealer shows an Ace.

Gameplay Strategy

The strategy changes when the player knows that the dealer does not have – or cannot have – Blackjack with an Ace or ten-value card. Important differences compared to Blackjack without a Hole Card (European Blackjack) include:

• A,A against a dealer’s Ace: Always split.
• Hard 11 against a dealer’s Ace or Ten: Double down.
• 8,8 against a dealer’s Ace or Ten: Always split.

Surrender Strategy

If surrender (giving up the hand and losing half the bet) is allowed, the following strategy applies:

• 16: Surrender against dealer’s 9 through Ace.
• 15: Surrender against any ten-value card.

Splitting

General rules:

• Always split: Aces and 8,8.
• Never split: Tens and 5,5.

Doubling Down

• 11: Always double.
• 10: Double against dealer’s 2 through 9.
• Soft 13 to soft 17: Double against dealer’s 5 and 6.
• Soft 15 and soft 16: Also double against dealer’s 4.
• Soft 17: Also double against dealer’s 3 and 4.
• 8: Never double.

Advantages of the Hole Card for Casual Players

The certainty of whether or not the dealer has Blackjack is a huge advantage for many players. Although this isn’t a mathematical advantage, it has a major psychological impact. You’re probably familiar with the seemingly endless debates at casino tables or the long delays online when the dealer has only one face-up card. Think of hands like 15 or 16 versus a dealer’s ten or Ace (with or without surrender), or the stubborn belief that the last box must play differently from what basic strategy dictates.

Personally, I find this faster gameplay much more pleasant.

Speaking of the last box: because the dealer’s second card is already on the table and the total value of the first two cards (except in the case of a ten or Ace) is already set, those often unpleasant remarks from fellow players disappear too. This happens, for example, when the last player “misplays” a hand or a stand affects the dealer’s outcome in a way that disadvantages the table.

As many of you may have experienced at a Blackjack table in a casino, there are players – more into horoscopes than math books – who truly believe that a hand of 13 or 14 in the last position should stand against a dealer’s 9 through Ace, because “a small card” (as only a small card could come) would hurt the dealer.

Advantages of the Hole Card for Professional Players

Experienced and highly observant players particularly benefit from two scenarios:

• Spooking:  When the dealer accidentally reveals part or all of the Hole Card while checking it. Even just identifying the card as likely being a ten-value card can give the player a big advantage. In a spooking scenario, one player has a clear view of the card and relays the information to another player. If the second card is fully identified, the house edge can swing in favour of the player – potentially resulting in a theoretical advantage of 10% or more.
  For example, if a player knows that the dealer has a total of 17 to 20 with their two cards, they can act accordingly and may even choose to hit with 18 against 19.
• Dealer Tells: Trained players may be able to deduce the dealer’s Hole Card from their behaviour when checking it – similar to how skilled poker players read their opponents. Gaining an edge this way requires a lot of practice and a keen understanding of human behaviour.

These strategies are not available to online players, of course. So online, you should stick to a solid basic strategy.

Are These Practices Legal?

Back in 1983, a court in the state of Nevada ruled on such a case: a man passed on information about the Hole Card to a fellow player. Because the observation was made without technical aids, the court ruled that it did not constitute cheating.
Today, many casinos offering Blackjack with a Hole Card have developed technical safeguards to prevent “hole carding”. The legal debate around these playing methods is similar to earlier discussions about card counting. In one of our upcoming blogs, we’ll share a card counter’s real-world experiences.

Want to Know More?

In our next blog, we’ll be looking at the pros and cons of house rules – stay tuned!
In the meantime, you can explore a range of Blackjack variants at Casino777.nl.