Black Jack Basic Strategy
Basic strategy is a mathematically calculated set of decisions that can help you win more at blackjack. The Blackjack Basic Strategy Engine above provides a simple way to memorize a variety of different profitable decisions, such as when to split, double, surrender, hit, or stand. The Blackjack basic strategy is completely legal and players can memorize the rules and use the strategy when they are playing Blackjack. Casinos won’t through you out or ban you from playing if they realize that you’re using the strategy. Basic strategy is not enough! We get emails from people all the time talking about how they downloaded our blackjack charts, took them to a casino, and won some money. That’s great news for them, but it could have easily gone the other way. Basic strategy cannot overcome the house edge even if you get lucky with it from time to time. Increase your wins at blackjack by learning the mathematically proven rules called basic strategy.By following these rules you can reduce the house edge to as low as half of a percent, making blackjack one of the five best casino bets!
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- Blackjack Basic Strategy Table
- Blackjack Strategy Sheet
- Blackjack Basic Strategy H17
- Blackjack Basic Strategy Card
Blackjack basic strategy is a set of rules calculated and developed by researchers and statisticians to decrease casino advantage to a minimum and teach players how to win at blackjack. Blackjack researchers created a simulation program based upon all possible blackjack hands to develop what we now know as blackjack basic strategy. Blackjack strategy is a system of charts that players can use to obtain the best decisions based upon the game situation. The charts include basic player solutions as when to Hit or Stand. As well as recommending further options such as Splitting and Doubling Down which will increase the players odds. However, the strategy cannot eliminate casino advantage, but decreases it down to 1%.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
Get to know how to increase your odds using blackjack basic strategy and learn all about blackjack strategy chart.
watch the videoBlackjack Strategy Rules: The Dealer
The strategy is based upon the fact that the dealer has to stand on 17 and above and does not have the chance to Split or Double Down.
Most common blackjack strategy decisions are based on the fact that the dealer is very likely to go bust (35%) in the cases that his up card is 3, 4, 5 or 6. Therefore, the strategy advises you to stand even in case your total is 13 - 16 (you both have the same chance of going bust, but unlike you, the dealer cannot stand and must hit). In addition to this if your total is the same (13-16) but the dealer's up card is 7, 8, 9, 10 or A, you are strongly advised to Hit as it is very likely that the dealer's hole card is a 10 and this time his hand will beat yours.
Rules That Affect Blackjack Basic Strategy
Blackjack basic strategy is created for the classic blackjack rules, but there are some casinos that make small changes in their basic rules. These changes sometimes make a big difference and should influence your gaming strategy. Let's take a look at the parameters that are to be taken into account.
- Does the dealer stand or hit on a soft 17 (A & 6)? (stand is good, hit is bad)
- How many times can you split one hand? (the more the better)
- Can you double down after splitting pairs? (if allowed - it is great)
- Is the surrendering allowed? If yes, is it early or late surrender? (early surrender is the best)
- On what cards and which total can you double down? (the best is when you can double on any two cards and any total)
- How many decks are used in the game? (the less decks - the better)
These rules greatly affect the game and basic strategy. You can see this by typing in different rules into our Strategy Chart Generator, House Edge Calculator and even Blackjack Game Advisor. As a result you will see how each of the game parameters affects the strategy.
Winning at blackjack depends partly upon your skills and partly on luck. A successful blackjack strategy is one that decreases the house advantage to minimum and allows you in some cases to gain a small edge over the casino. However, a real advantage over the casinos can only be obtained with the help of card counting.
Blackjack Basic Strategy For Beginners:
Let's take a look at the most common points of Basic strategy, the ones that concern General rules, Rules for Soft Hands, Doubling Down and Splitting rules.
7 General GOLDEN Rules of Basic Blackjack Strategy
- Stand on 12 if the dealer's up card is 6 or lower
- Stand when you have 17 if the dealer has a 7 or higher
- Hit with soft 17 or less and stand on soft 18 or more
- Always Split a pair of Aces and 8's
- Split if you have a pair of 7's against a dealer's 7 or less
- Never take Insurance or Even money
- Double down on 10/11 if your card total is higher than the dealer's up card
Below you will find the most common rules for playing soft and hard hands. In order to read more about each rule and find out the reasons for these solutions, checkout the pages for blackjack strategy for hard hands and blackjack strategy for soft hands and of course, blackjack strategy for splitting pairs.
| Blackjack Strategy for Soft Hands | |
| 13-14 | Double against dealer's 5-6, o/w hit. |
|---|---|
| 15-16 | Double against dealer's 4-6, o/w hit |
| 17 | Double is dealer has a 3-6, o/w hit |
| 18 | Double against 3-6; Stand against 2, 7, 8 Hit against 9, 10 or an Ace |
| Blackjack Strategy for Splitting Pairs | |
| 2-3,7 | Split against dealer's 2-7; o/wise Hit |
|---|---|
| 4 | Split only against dealer's 5 or 6 |
| 5,10 | Never Split 5's or 10's |
| 6 | Split against dealer's 2-6, o/wise hit |
| A & 8 | Split every time |
| 9 | Split against 2-6, 8-9; Stand if dealer shows 7, 10 or an Ace |
| Blackjack Strategy for Hard Hands | |
| 8 | Hit on any hand of 8 or lower |
|---|---|
| 9 | Double if dealer has 3-6, otherwise hit |
| 10 | Double if dealer has 2-9, otherwise hit |
| 11 | Double if dealer's up card is 2-10, o/w hit. |
| 12 | Stand if dealer shows 4-6, o/w hit |
| 13-16 | Stand if the dealer has a 2-6, o/w hit |
| 17-21 | Stand always. |
more than others.
Blackjack basic strategy is not a 100% proven winning method, it is a tactic that offers mathematically correct solutions for all possible player hands against all possible dealer up cards. Basic strategy is the first step for any player who wishes to be professional in blackjack or simply to increase his edge. There are easier ways to consult Basic Strategies and they are the blackjack chart and blackjack game advisor.
If you’re looking to learn basic strategy, our visual Blackjack strategy chart below is your key tool to learning basic blackjack strategy. The chart will show you the statistically best decisions for you to make in each blackjack situation. Have a look at it below!
Stick to the Plan By using our Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart
As we’ve said countless times before, playing Blackjack online and making the right moves while doing so needn’t be a complicated matter. Of course, our experts always warn players not to place a bet or make a move simply based on a hunch. Frankly, we understand that you might be tempted to double down on a soft 17 against a dealer's 2, but as you can see from our chart below, moves like that are not strategically correct, and will cost you a lot of money in the long run. So when it comes to this table game in particular, learn how to ignore your gut feeling and just take a strategic approach instead.
Did You Know?
- Following our Blackjack strategy chart to the tee will typically cut down the house edge to ½% provided that the dealer follows the casino's house rules.
Looking for a Blackjack Basic Strategy chart printable? Here’s Ours!
If you’re looking for a Free Blackjack strategy chart printable, you’ll be glad to know that our team of gambling experts and designers have come up with CasinoTop10’s own printable version of the chart. The great news is that, you can keep it handy when you’re playing a game of Blackjack online. Have no printer? No problem! If you don’t have a printer you can also view our Blackjack strategy chart online by keeping another tab open or by simply viewing it on your mobile phone or tablet!
The Best Blackjack Strategy Chart
Download our Free Blackjack Strategy Chart pdf
Simply click here on our free Blackjack strategy chart and your download will start in a matter of seconds!
Info about our Strategy Sheet
This Blackjack strategy chart applies to games of Blackjack in which the dealer stands on a soft 17.
Here’s what the different moves stand for:
Stand (S) – Choose this manoeuvre when you’d like to stand pat with your Blackjack hand.
Hit (H) – Select Hit when you’d like the dealer to give you another card.
Double (D) - Choose double when you’d like to double your wager.
Split (SP) – Select split in order to split your cards into two hands.
Memorising the Chart Needn’t be Tough
Although you can very easily keep our Blackjack strategy chart around by taping it your computer screen, it is actually better to learn it off by heart provided that you have the patience. Now if you don’t have a photographic memory like the few straight A students you went to school with, there’s no need to despair - you needn’t worry about remembering the chart as a whole. Instead, try to break it down into chunks and just remember a few basic points about our blackjack strategy chart.
Do dealers and Blackjack players follow the same Blackjack rules and strategy?
- No, dealers play according to house rules. Dealers usually follow one of two common Blackjack rules:
- 1/ According to the first variation of house rules a dealer 's ace is always counted as 11. Moreover, he would typically stand on all 17s and hit on a hand with a total of under 17.
- 2/ According to the second variation of house rules a dealer must hit if he gets a 'soft 17'. Under this rule the house edge is slightly increased, but the dealer doees not have the opportunity of Doubling Down or Splitting.
Below we’ve compiled a list of phrases which will help you to memorize basic Blackjack strategy:
Strategy for Soft Hands
Remember: Soft hands always have an ace present which is counted as 11.
When should I stand with a soft hand?
You should always stand when you have a soft hand with a total score of:
• 20 (A,9) or (10,10)
• 19 (A, 8) unless the dealer’s face up card displays a 6.
• 18 (A,8).
Should you Double or Hit when you have the following?
• 8 always hits.
• 17 (A,6) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 3 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 16 (A,5) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 15 (A,4) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 14 (A,3) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 5 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 13 (A,2) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 5 through 6, otherwise hit.
Strategy for Hard Hand
Remember: A hard hand is a hand which sometimes doesn't have an ace, but sometimes does. In cases in which it does, the ace is counted as 1.
When should you stand or hit with a hard hand?
Blackjack Basic Strategy Table
You should also stand or hit when you have a hard hand with a total score of:
• 17 and up.
• 16 stands against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 15 stands against a dealer face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 14 stands against a dealer face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 13 stands against a dealer face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 12 stands against dealer face up card with the value of 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 8 and under always hits.
When should you double with a hard hand?
You should double when you have a hard hand with a score of:
• 11
• 10 against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 through 9, otherwise hit.
• 9 against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 3, 4, 5 or 6 otherwise hit.
Strategy for Pairs
When should you Split?
You should Split when you have a pair of:
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• 9s splits against a dealer’s face up card of 2 through 9 with the exception of a 7, otherwise Stand.
• 8s and Aces.
• 2s against a dealer’s face up card of 2 (or 4 depending on the rules) -7
• 3s against a dealer’s face up card of 4-7.
• 7s and the dealer has 2 through 7 as his face up card.
• 6s when the dealer has 2 , 3, 4, 5 or 6 as his face up card.
• 3s splits against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 through 7, otherwise hit.
• 2s splits against dealer’s face up card 2 through 7, otherwise hit.
When shouldn’t you Split?
Don’t split when you have a pair of:
• 4s.
• 10s.
Blackjack Strategy Sheet
When should you double pairs?
You should double when you have a pair of:
• 5s against a dealer’s face up card with a value of 2 through 9 card.
• A soft 18 (A,7) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 3,4,5 and 6.
When should you hit pairs?
Blackjack Basic Strategy H17
You should hit when you have a pair of:
• 7s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 8 through an Ace.
• 6s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 7 through an Ace.
• 4s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 though an Ace.
• 3s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2,3,8,9,10 and an Ace.
• 2s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2,8, 9, 10 and an Ace.
Practice Using our Blackjack Basic Strategy Trainer, Then Hit the Casino
Whether you’ve never played Blackjack before or you’re simple looking to improve your strategy, you should definitely consider using our free Blackjack trainer to learn how to use the right move. Our Blackjack strategy trainer will be able to tell you what moves to make according to our basic Blackjack strategy chart. Once you feel confident in your implementation of strategy, head to our list of Blackjack Casinos and prepare to play with a fantastic exclusive Bonus!