Blackjack is a very rewarding game to play, but in order to stay profitable you need to use the right blackjack matrix – or blackjack basic strategy – to help you. A good blackjack matrix covers different starting hands and advise you on the best move to make statistically. When playing soft starting hands (a combination of an Ace and any other card) then you need to use these basic strategies.
If you start with an A-2 or A-3 and the dealer shows 5 or 6, then the best move to make would be to double down. You can maximize your profit while at the same time limiting your risks. Hit if the dealer shows other than a 5 or a 6.
For a starting hand of A-4 and A-5, the basic strategy is very similar with the addition of doubling down when the dealer’s open card is a 4. You will see that doubling down at this point is superbly beneficial, since you will most likely get a good card while the dealer faces 42% bust probability.
Start with A-6, and the best move to make would be to double down if the dealer shows a 3, 4, 5, or 6 and otherwise hit. The same rule applies to when you start with A-7, but you need to stand if the dealer shows 2, 7, or 8.
A-8, A-9, and A-10 (or Ace and any of the face cards) are already good enough to win the round, so always stand when you start with these hands.