Here are useful tips on using basic strategy in Blackjack as our casino expert Mark P. answers some of your emailed questions:

Dear Mark,
I am still very new to the game of blackjack, and I have a question about basic strategy. Is doubling down considered the ideal option for playing a soft 18 against a dealer's 3, 4, 5, or 6? Is standing recommended if doubling is not allowed? Andy K.

A soft hand in blackjack is any hand which, due to ace magic, the ace can be counted as either a one or as an 11. As to how you should play your soft 18 against a 3, 4, 5, or 6; yes, ideally you should double down, if your casino allows it; otherwise stand. You should also stand if you have a soft 18 against a 2, 7, or 8, -- BUT if the dealer shows a 9, 10 or an Ace, it is always best to take a hit.

Dear Mark,
Using perfect basic strategy in blackjack, why do you always hit a 12 against a 3, but never a 13 against a two? I have always considered them about the same value of a hand. Dave G.

They may seem similar, Dave, but you will bust far more often when you hold a 13 than when holding a 12. With a 13 against a two, you will bust 38.5 percent of the time. With a 12 against a three, you will bust only 30.8 percent of the time.

Dear Mark,
I have not seen any Basic Blackjack Strategy that suggests doubling down on a hard eight. All I have read or seen on Basic Blackjack Strategy states you only hit the hard eight. Do you have a professional's view of the decision to double down on eight? I do not remember you addressing this issue. Dan J.

Because single deck games are harder to find than the proverbial needle in a haystack, current writings on blackjack, (as well as on blackjack basic strategy cards) are created for multiple deck games. Usually they all suggest the same thing: Hit your hard eight against any card the dealer is showing. However, Dan, if you happen to stumble upon a single deck game, it is commonly recommended that you double down on a hard eight when the dealer is showing a five or a six.

Dear Mark,
Your blackjack strategy card shows hitting a pair of sevens against a 10 when on a multiple deck game, but standing with them on a single deck. I don't quite understand why. Can you explain? Justin M.

The reason for the difference, Justin, is that once any card is withdrawn from the deck, it will have an impact on the distribution of the remaining cards.

Single deck basic strategy calls for standing pat with a pair of sevens against a ten. On a multiple deck game, most strategy cards advise that you hit them. The reason being, Justin, is that with a one deck game the probability of drawing a third seven on the third card is only 2/49, or 4.08%. With six decks, the likelihood is 22/309, or 7.1%. Since the probability of catching that third seven on a single deck is lower, that is why it is best to stand versus hitting.