Blackjack Basic Strategy: The Only Chart You Need

Blackjack basic strategy is the mathematically correct play for every possible hand. Using it reduces the house edge from ~2% to just 0.5%.

The Core Rules

Hard Totals (no Ace): - 8 or less: Always hit - 9: Double if dealer shows 3-6, otherwise hit - 10: Double if dealer shows 2-9, otherwise hit - 11: Always double - 12: Stand if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit - 13-16: Stand if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit - 17+: Always stand

Soft Totals (with Ace): - Soft 13-15: Hit - Soft 16-17: Double if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit - Soft 18: Stand if dealer shows 2, 7, 8. Double if 3-6. Hit if 9, 10, Ace - Soft 19-20: Always stand

Pairs: - Always split Aces and 8s - Never split 10s or 5s - Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s if dealer shows 2-7 - Split 4s only if dealer shows 5-6 - Split 9s if dealer shows 2-6 or 8-9

How to Practice

Play free blackjack online for a week using this chart. Keep it open on your phone. After about 200 hands, the decisions become automatic.

Expected Results

With basic strategy at a standard 6-deck game: - House edge: 0.5% - Per $10 bet, expected loss: $0.05 - Per 100 hands at $10: expected loss $5 - Per hour (70 hands): expected loss $3.50

That's incredibly cheap entertainment compared to slots (which cost $30-50/hour at $1 bets).