Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart for Beginners

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 HandDealer’s Upcard (2-6)Dealer’s Upcard (7-9)Dealer’s Upcard (10)Dealer’s Upcard (A)
Hard 5-8HitHitHitHit
Hard 9Double downHitHitHit
Hard 10Double downDouble downHitHit
Hard 11Double downDouble downDouble downHit
Hard 12StandHitHitHit
Hard 13-16StandHitHitHit
Hard 17-21StandStandStandStand
Soft 13-14HitHitHitHit
Soft 15-16Double downHitHitHit
Soft 17Double downHitHitHit
Soft 18Double downStandHitHit
Soft 19-21StandStandStandStand
Pairs: 2s, 3s, 7sSplitHitHitHit
Pairs: 4sHitHitHitHit
Pairs: 5sDouble downDouble downHitHit
Pairs: 6sSplitHitHitHit
Pairs: 8sSplitSplitSplitSplit
Pairs: 9sSplitStandStandStand
Pairs: 10s, Js, Qs, KsStandStandStandStand
Pairs: AcesSplitSplitSplitSplit

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 TotalDealer’s Upcard (2-6)Dealer’s Upcard (7-A)
5-8HitHit
9Double downHit
10Double downDouble down (if allowed) or Hit
11Double downDouble down (if allowed) or Hit
12-16StandHit
17-21StandStand

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 TotalDealer’s Upcard (2-6)Dealer’s Upcard (7-A)
Soft 13-14HitHit
Soft 15-16HitHit
Soft 17HitHit
Soft 18StandHit
Soft 19-21StandStand

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 PairDealer’s Upcard (2-6)Dealer’s Upcard (7-A)
2s, 3s, 7sSplitHit
4sHitHit
5sDouble downHit
6sSplitHit
8sSplitSplit
9sSplitStand
10s, Js, Qs, KsStandStand
AcesSplitSplit

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.

Good luck, and enjoy the game!

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