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Basic Strategy in Blackjack

Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal way to play every blackjack hand. It tells you exactly when to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender based on your cards and the dealer's upcard.

Why Basic Strategy Matters

Without basic strategy, the house edge can exceed 2%. With perfect basic strategy, you reduce it to approximately 0.5%—making blackjack one of the best games in the casino.

That difference adds up:

  • Bad play: Lose ~$20 per $1,000 wagered
  • Basic strategy: Lose ~$5 per $1,000 wagered

How It Was Developed

In the 1950s and 60s, mathematicians used early computers to simulate millions of blackjack hands. They calculated the expected value of every possible decision and determined the best play for each situation.

The result is a complete strategy that covers:

The Order of Decisions

When you receive your cards, follow this order:

  1. Never take insurance or even money
  2. Check for surrender (if available and applicable)
  3. Check for pair splits
  4. Check for soft total plays (if you have an Ace counting as 11)
  5. Use hard total strategy for everything else

Key Basic Strategy Rules

Always Do These:

  • Split Aces and 8s
  • Stand on hard 17 or higher
  • Double on 11 against dealer 2-10
  • Hit on hard 8 or less

Never Do These:

  • Take insurance
  • Split 10s or 5s
  • Stand on soft 17

Situational Plays:

  • Stand on 12-16 against dealer 2-6
  • Hit 12-16 against dealer 7 or higher
  • Double soft 13-17 against dealer weak upcards
Hard Totals
Dealer first card
Player hand
-
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A
17+
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
16
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
SUR
SUR
SUR
15
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
SUR
H
14
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
13
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
12
H
H
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
11
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
10
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
H
H
9
H
D
D
D
D
H
H
H
H
H
8-
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H = hit
S = stand
D = double if allowed, otherwise hit
SUR = surrender if allowed, otherwise hit
Soft Totals
Dealer first card
Player hand
-
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A
A,9
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
A,8
S
S
S
S
DS
S
S
S
S
S
A,7
DS
DS
DS
DS
DS
S
S
H
H
H
A,6
H
DH
DH
DH
DH
H
H
H
H
H
A,5
H
H
DH
DH
DH
H
H
H
H
H
A,4
H
H
DH
DH
DH
H
H
H
H
H
A,3
H
H
H
DH
DH
H
H
H
H
H
A,2
H
H
H
DH
DH
H
H
H
H
H
H = hit
S = stand
DH = double if allowed, otherwise hit
DS = double if allowed, otherwise stand
Pair Splits
Dealer first card
Player hand
-
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A
A,A
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
T,T
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
9,9
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
N
N
8,8
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
7,7
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
6,6
DAS
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
5,5
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
4,4
N
N
N
DAS
DAS
N
N
N
N
N
3,3
DAS
DAS
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
2,2
DAS
DAS
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y = split
N = no split
DAS = split if double-after-split allowed

Common Mistakes

Standing on 12 Against Dealer 2 or 3

Many players stand on any stiff hand (12-16) against any dealer upcard. But against dealer 2 or 3, you should hit 12—the dealer isn't weak enough to justify the risk of standing.

Not Doubling Soft Hands

Soft hands like A-6 and A-7 have excellent doubling opportunities that many players miss. You can't bust, so take advantage.

Splitting 10s

You already have 20—one of the best hands possible. Never break it up.

Practice Makes Perfect

Basic strategy requires memorization. The best way to learn is through repetition. Practice with our free trainer until correct plays become automatic.

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