Hitting Your Hand

Along with standing, hitting in blackjack is one of the most common moves that are made during play. It is important for blackjack players to know when to either stand or ‘hit.’ In simple terms, to ‘hit’ means that the player is asking the dealer for another card.

Blackjack players may decide when they would like to be ‘hit.’ Many will play on the side of caution and will not want to be ‘hit’ after they have 16 or more points in their hands. They can, however, request another card, in the hopes that it will be of a relatively low value, and bring them closer to the desired total of 21.

Those who choose to hit after holding around 16 or 17 points may be taking the risk of going bust, which is ending up with a hand with a value of over 21. Players each follow their own strategies, some of which would involve playing a safer game, while others will play with added excitement.

For those playing in land-based casinos, players who wish to hit can either tap the felt of the blackjack table when their turn comes around, in order to indicate that they want a hit. In cases where the cards are dealt face down, the usual way that players indicate that they would like another card is by lightly scraping their cards toward themselves, on the felt of the blackjack table. In some cases, the player will simply say ‘hit’ to let the dealer know that they wish to be dealt another card. In online blackjack, players will simply press the ‘hit’ button.