Busting Cards in Blackjack

Busting Cards in Blackjack

'Busting cards' are cards that the dealer shows, which may have the effect of bringing him over 21 on a hit. The idea is that if a dealer's hole card (their hidden card) is a 10-value, then busting cards have values of 4, 5 or 6. 7, for instance, couldn't be a blackjack busting card since if the dealer has a 10-value card hidden, then he would have 17 and would not be allowed to hit.... got all that?

Now, we can never be quite sure what card the dealer is hiding, and so this is where basic strategy comes in. Busting cards make up a part of the basic blackjack strategy since the decision whether to hit or stand is front and center when looking at the dealer's card. Now, follow this example closely:

Let's say you're holding a hand that totals 12. Now conventional wisdom might be telling you to hit, since you've got a pretty low hand and are quite a way from 21. But before you do, look carefully at the dealer's hand. If they're holding any of the busting cards (4, 5, or 6 remember) then there's a very good mathematical chance of them busting on a hit (which the rules compel them to do with this type of hand.) So rather than hit on your 12 hand, you take proper advantage of the odds and stand.

Admittedly, the dealer may well have a hole card that's less than 10 in value, but mathematically speaking, over the long run the odds are better that the dealer will bust and you'll be left holding the pot. If you should get burned, just remember that your best play is always with the odds, so don't give up, take heart, and watch for those busting cards! Stay true to your basic strategy and you'll make out just fine, cherie.