As an expert blackjack player and advantage gambler with 28 years of experience, I’ve seen countless blackjack players struggle to understand the concept of basic strategy.
That’s why I’ve created this comprehensive guide, to help you master blackjack basic strategy, improve your skills of the game and increase your winning rate over time.
In this Online Casino blackjack strategy blog post, I will explain the important information, facts, figures, and statistics on Blackjack Basic Strategy.
What is Basic Strategy in blackjack?
Understanding the Basics
Blackjack Basic Strategy is a mathematically proven method that teaches players the best possible moves to make based on the cards they have and the dealer’s upcard.
By following this blackjack basic strategy chart completely, you can reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning in the long run.
The Blackjack Strategy Chart
Decoding the Blackjack Chart
The Blackjack Chart is a visual representation of the basic strategy, allowing you to quickly and easily determine the optimal move in any given situation.
It’s an invaluable tool for any serious blackjack player. Let’s dive into the key components of the chart.
Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart
Player’s Hand | Dealer’s Upcard (2-6) | Dealer’s Upcard (7-9) | Dealer’s Upcard (10) | Dealer’s Upcard (A) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hard 5-8 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Hard 9 | Double down | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Hard 10 | Double down | Double down | Hit | Hit |
Hard 11 | Double down | Double down | Double down | Hit |
Hard 12 | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Hard 13-16 | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Hard 17-21 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Soft 13-14 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Soft 15-16 | Double down | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Soft 17 | Double down | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Soft 18 | Double down | Stand | Hit | Hit |
Soft 19-21 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Pairs: 2s, 3s, 7s | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Pairs: 4s | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Pairs: 5s | Double down | Double down | Hit | Hit |
Pairs: 6s | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit |
Pairs: 8s | Split | Split | Split | Split |
Pairs: 9s | Split | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Pairs: 10s, Js, Qs, Ks | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Pairs: Aces | Split | Split | Split | Split |
Hard Hands
A hard hand is any two-card combination without an Ace, or with an Ace counted as 1.
The basic strategy for hard hands varies based on the player’s total and the dealer’s upcard. The chart will provide you with the optimal move for each scenario, such as hit, stand, double down, or split.
Player’s Total | Dealer’s Upcard (2-6) | Dealer’s Upcard (7-A) |
---|---|---|
5-8 | Hit | Hit |
9 | Double down | Hit |
10 | Double down | Double down (if allowed) or Hit |
11 | Double down | Double down (if allowed) or Hit |
12-16 | Stand | Hit |
17-21 | Stand | Stand |
Soft Hands
A soft hand is a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11.
The basic strategy for soft hands also depends on the player’s total and the dealer’s upcard. The chart will guide you through the best moves for each situation.
Player’s Total | Dealer’s Upcard (2-6) | Dealer’s Upcard (7-A) |
---|---|---|
Soft 13-14 | Hit | Hit |
Soft 15-16 | Hit | Hit |
Soft 17 | Hit | Hit |
Soft 18 | Stand | Hit |
Soft 19-21 | Stand | Stand |
Pairs
When you receive a pair of cards with the same value, you have the option to split them into two separate hands.
The basic strategy chart will help you decide when it’s best to split, based on the pair you have and the dealer’s upcard.
Player’s Pair | Dealer’s Upcard (2-6) | Dealer’s Upcard (7-A) |
---|---|---|
2s, 3s, 7s | Split | Hit |
4s | Hit | Hit |
5s | Double down | Hit |
6s | Split | Hit |
8s | Split | Split |
9s | Split | Stand |
10s, Js, Qs, Ks | Stand | Stand |
Aces | Split | Split |
Video: PERFECT Blackjack Basic Strategy – Blackjack Tutorial
FAQs: Blackjack Strategy Chart
By following this comprehensive guide and utilizing the basic strategy blackjack chart, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more successful blackjack player.