$
Advantage Slots
21Blackjack
Expert

Hole Carding Blackjack

Complete Advantage Play Strategy Guide

21
21

Blackjack

Quick Stats

Expected Edge

6-9% with full information

Bankroll Required

High ($5,000-10,000)

Time to Learn

6-12 months

Additional Metrics

edge With Full Info
6-9%
opportunity Frequency
Rare
legal Status
Generally legal

Overview

Exploiting dealer errors that expose their hole card. Legal in most jurisdictions since you're not manipulating the game, just observing. Extremely rare opportunities in modern casinos.

Strategy

Identify dealers with sloppy technique that flashes hole card. Position yourself at specific seats for best viewing angle. Use pre-computed hole card strategy charts. Play normally when you can't see hole card.

What to Look For

  • New or tired dealers
  • End seats (first or third base)
  • Games with peek devices (European no-hole-card reduces value)
  • Busy shifts where dealers rush
  • Deep discount shoes (more opportunities)

Risks & Considerations

  • Extremely rare opportunities
  • Could be considered advantage play and get backed off
  • Requires perfect strategy memorization
  • Obvious play changes can draw attention
  • Dealers rotate frequently

Pro Tip

Always start with proper bankroll management. Even with an edge, variance can be brutal. Never risk more than 1-2% of your total bankroll on a single session, and ensure you have at least 20-30 buy-ins for your chosen stakes.

Basic Strategy Chart

4-6 Decks, S17, DAS, Late Surrender

Legend
HHit
SStand
DDouble (Hit if not allowed)
DSDouble (Stand if not allowed)
PSplit
RhSurrender (Hit if not allowed)
RsSurrender (Stand if not allowed)
Hard Total2345678910A
9
H
D
D
D
D
H
H
H
H
H
10
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
H
H
11
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
12
H
H
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
13
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
14
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
15
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
Rh
Rh
16
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
Rh
Rh
Rh
5-8
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
17+
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S

Pro Tips

  • • Always split Aces and 8s
  • • Never split 5s or 10s
  • • Double down on 11 against everything except Ace
  • • Stand on 17 or higher (except soft 17)
  • • Never take insurance (unless counting cards at TC +3)

More Blackjack Strategies

4 strategies
21

Hi-Lo Card Counting

Beginner

21

KO (Knock-Out) System

Beginner

21

Omega II System

Advanced

21

Illustrious 18 Deviations

Intermediate

Previous

Edge Sorting Baccarat

All Table Games

Next

Shuffle Tracking

SlotStrat - Advantage Play Guides for Slots & Table Games