
Every strategy chart shows an “S” for stand when you hold A-8 or A-9, regardless of what the dealer’s up card is. Stand on soft 19 and 20: This is one of the easiest blackjack strategy rules to remember. While many players think splitting 10s is the correct call, drawing low cards would put you in a tricky position. Basic Strategy is the first step to beating blackjack with card counting. With a total of 17 or more, you should simply stand and hope the dealer goes bust instead.ĭon’t split 5s or 10s: A pair of 5s gives you a great chance to hit blackjack. Use these Blackjack Strategy Charts to learn the correct decision for every hand. Stand on hard 17 or more: Without an Ace in your hand, it’s highly like that hitting will result in you busting. It’s always better to split and play two hands. A pair of 8s equals 16 and outs you in a difficult spot. Whether the dealer must stand on 17 or hit on soft 17 will always be clearly printed on the table.Īlways split Aces and 8s: By splitting Aces, you give yourself a chance to hit blackjack with two hands. Read the playing rules: Make sure you know the rules of the table before making your blackjack bets. The hand will be a push 30.74% of the time, which makes it a very bad bet in the long run. In the long run, you’ll lose less money by not taking insurance.ĭecline even money: If you’ve hit blackjack and the dealer’s up card is an Ace, you’ll be offered even money. The house edge increases to 5.9% when insurance is played. This chart will indicate the mathematically correct play to make.ĭon’t play insurance: This bet is considered a dumb move by blackjack pros. Reference a strategy chart: After your cards have been dealt, compare your hand with the dealer’s up card by reading our strategy chart above. My thanks to Kelly for putting together the above text strategy.If you want the dummy’s guide to blackjack strategy, you’ll do well with our top blackjack strategy tips. Surrender 15, a pair of 8s, and 17 vs.However, for you perfectionists out there, here are the modifications to make if the dealer hits a soft 17. Stand on soft 18 except hit against a dealer 9, 10, or A.Īs I've said many times, the above strategy will be fine under any set of rules.Stand on hard 13-16 against a dealer 2-6, otherwise hit.Stand on hard 12 against a dealer 4-6, otherwise hit.Double hard 11 except against a dealer A.Double hard 10 except against a dealer 10 or A.Split 6s against a dealer 3-6, and against a 2 if DAS is allowed.Split 4s only if DAS is allowed and the dealer shows a 5 or 6.Split 2s and 3s against a dealer 4-7, and against a 2 or 3 if DAS is allowed.Surrender hard 16 (but not a pair of 8s) vs.To use the strategy, start at the top, and follow the first rule that applies.

The cost in errors due to playing the wrong strategy is 2.3 times higher playing a stand on soft 17 game, with the hit on 17 strategy, than vise versa.įor the benefit of my blind readers, here is the above strategy in text form, when the dealer stands on soft 17 and surrender is allowed. If you play a mixture of six-deck games, some where the dealer hits a soft 17, and some where he stands, and you only wish to memorize one strategy, I would recommend you memorize the one where the dealer stands on soft 17. In the extremely unlikely event you have a pair of aces you can't re-split and drawing to split aces is allowed, then double against a 6, otherwise hit. If you can't split because of a limit on re-splitting, then look up your hand as a hard total, except aces.If there is no row for splitting (fives and tens), then look up your hand as a hard total (10 or 20).There are two charts depending on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands. To use the basic strategy, look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. 4-Deck to 8-Deck Blackjack Strategy Introduction
