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Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart (Free, With Practice Table)

Basic strategy is the mathematically best play for every hand you can be dealt against every dealer upcard. Played perfectly, it cuts the house edge to roughly 0.5% under common rules. It won't make you a winner long-term (nothing legal does), but it stops you from handing the casino free money.

The 6 rules that fix most mistakes

  1. Always split aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s.
  2. Double 11 against everything except an ace.
  3. Stand on 12–16 vs dealer 2–6 (except hit 12 vs 2 and 3). Let the dealer bust.
  4. Hit 12–16 vs dealer 7 or higher. It feels bad. Do it anyway.
  5. Never take insurance. It's a side bet with a ~7% house edge.
  6. Soft 18 (A,7) is not a stand-everywhere hand: double vs 3–6, hit vs 9, 10, A.

H hit · S stand · D double (hit if not allowed) · P split. Rules: 4–8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed.

Hard totals

You2345678910A
17+SSSSSSSSSS
16SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
12HHSSSHHHHH
11DDDDDDDDDH
10DDDDDDDDHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
8 or lessHHHHHHHHHH

Soft totals

You2345678910A
A,9SSSSSSSSSS
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,7SDDDDSSHHH
A,6HDDDDHHHHH
A,5HHDDDHHHHH
A,4HHDDDHHHHH
A,3HHHDDHHHHH
A,2HHHDDHHHHH

Pairs

You2345678910A
A,APPPPPPPPPP
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
9,9PPPPPSPPSS
8,8PPPPPPPPPP
7,7PPPPPPHHHH
6,6PPPPPHHHHH
5,5DDDDDDDDHH
4,4HHHPPHHHHH
3,3PPPPPPHHHH
2,2PPPPPPHHHH

Practice it without risking a cent

Turn on Coach in the settings of our free blackjack table and it flags every move that breaks basic strategy. Turn on the Pit Boss and he'll roast you for it.

Practice basic strategy free →

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