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The GameThe MovesHard TotalsSoft TotalsPairsSurrender & RulesLive HandCard Counting

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Lesson 1 · Hard Totals

Hard 5-8 — Always Hit

With hard 5, 6, 7 or 8 you must always draw another card. You cannot bust with one more card, and the total is too low.

Easy: with these low totals you have no choice — hit without thinking.

Examples

Hard 6 vs A
2♣2♣2
4♦4♦4
YOU
VS
A♥A♥A
DEALER
✓ Hit

Hit — regardless of the dealer's card, 6 is too low to stand.

Hard 8 vs 6
2♣2♣2
6♦6♦6
YOU
VS
6♠6♠6
DEALER
✓ Hit

Hit (not double) — 8 is not strong enough to double, even vs a weak dealer.

Common mistake

Freezing with a low hand against an ace. With hard 5-8 you cannot bust — there is literally nothing to lose by hitting, ever.

Guided practice

Try 8 hands from the category you just studied before the quiz.

Hard
3♣3♣3
5♥5♥5
YOUR HAND
VS
Dealer
7♥7♥7
DEALER

Quiz

Answer 8 out of 10 correctly to continue.

Check this hand on the full chart →