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Learn Black Jack Basic Strategy

Check out the blackjack basic strategy calculator for any number of decks or any set of rules, along with recommendations for best online casinos for bonuses Blackjack Basic Strategy - Wizard of Odds. The basic strategy for Multiple-Action blackjack (and similar games) is the same as regular blackjack. READING THE BASIC STRATEGY CHART(S) Dealer’s up-card is shown along the top of the chart. Player’s hand is shown vertically on the left side of the chart. Always hit hands less than 9 unless otherwise indicated. Always stand on A,9 or higher.

Blackjack basic strategy is the most basic system that all blackjack players must master in order to become a successful player. Basic strategy is a mathematical system of charts that show you the correct mathematical play in any blackjack scenario. You need to learn these basic strategy charts inside and out to know every proper play. This is the fundamental system that blackjack strategy is based upon. By correctly using blackjack basic strategy, you can almost turn the casino's house advantage of 7%-8% into 1%.

The system of blackjack basic strategy has been developed over several years of research and computer simulation to perfect the basic strategy charts. There are a wide variety of charts that change with slight varations, depending on the exact type of blackjack you will be playing. The two most common basic strategy charts are the single deck and multiple deck charts.

Using Basic Strategy

Using blackjack basic strategy isn't complicated if you know how to read and understand basic strategy charts. The left vertical column of the charts is your hand and the top horizontal column is the dealer's hand. Simply line up the columns where your hand meets the dealer's hand to find the correct play. The abbreviations below are commonly found on basic strategy charts:

• H - Hit
• S - Stand
• D - Double if allowed, otherwise hit
• Ds - Double if allowed, otherwise stand
• P - Split
• H/P - Split if you can double after split, otherwise hit
• H/R - Surrender if allowed, otherwise hit
• P/R - Surrender if allowed, otherwise split
• S/R - Surrender if allowed, otherwise stand

Memorizing Basic Strategy

You'll need to memorize the basic strategy charts inside and out so you can make your decision (the proper play) in a split second while sitting at a blackjack table. Newer blackjack players often find it difficult to memorize the charts. The easiest way to commit the charts to memory is to look for logical patterns in the charts that help you understand why each play is made.

When you first begin playing or if you are having trouble memorizing the strategy charts, you might consider getting a blackjack strategy card. These are convenient laminated cards, about the size of a credit card, which have the basic strategy charts on them. Most casinos will even allow you to use the cards at the table while playing. For more information, visit our blackjack strategy card page.

Winning with Basic Strategy

There is one last thing to keep in mind when it comes to blackjack basic strategy - it's not a guaranteed winning system. There are some players who will try to discredit basic strategy because they tried using it once or twice and ended up with a losing night. Basic strategy just shows the proper mathematical decision, for every blackjack scenario. This does not guarantee that you will always win when using it. It's simply the foundation for all other blackjack strategies and is a must learn for any serious player.

Blackjack Basic Strategy

If you’re looking to learn basic strategy, our visual Blackjack strategy chart below is your key tool to learning basic blackjack strategy. The chart will show you the statistically best decisions for you to make in each blackjack situation. Have a look at it below!

Stick to the Plan By using our Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

As we’ve said countless times before, playing Blackjack online and making the right moves while doing so needn’t be a complicated matter. Of course, our experts always warn players not to place a bet or make a move simply based on a hunch. Frankly, we understand that you might be tempted to double down on a soft 17 against a dealer's 2, but as you can see from our chart below, moves like that are not strategically correct, and will cost you a lot of money in the long run. So when it comes to this table game in particular, learn how to ignore your gut feeling and just take a strategic approach instead.

Did You Know?

• Following our Blackjack strategy chart to the tee will typically cut down the house edge to ½% provided that the dealer follows the casino's house rules.

Looking for a Blackjack Basic Strategy chart printable? Here’s Ours!

If you’re looking for a Free Blackjack strategy chart printable, you’ll be glad to know that our team of gambling experts and designers have come up with CasinoTop10’s own printable version of the chart. The great news is that, you can keep it handy when you’re playing a game of Blackjack online. Have no printer? No problem! If you don’t have a printer you can also view our Blackjack strategy chart online by keeping another tab open or by simply viewing it on your mobile phone or tablet!

The Best Blackjack Strategy Chart

Download our Free Blackjack Strategy Chart pdf

Simply click here on our free Blackjack strategy chart and your download will start in a matter of seconds!

Info about our Strategy Sheet

This Blackjack strategy chart applies to games of Blackjack in which the dealer stands on a soft 17.

Here’s what the different moves stand for:

Stand (S) – Choose this manoeuvre when you’d like to stand pat with your Blackjack hand.

Hit (H) – Select Hit when you’d like the dealer to give you another card.

Double (D) - Choose double when you’d like to double your wager.

Split (SP) – Select split in order to split your cards into two hands.

Memorising the Chart Needn’t be Tough

Although you can very easily keep our Blackjack strategy chart around by taping it your computer screen, it is actually better to learn it off by heart provided that you have the patience. Now if you don’t have a photographic memory like the few straight A students you went to school with, there’s no need to despair - you needn’t worry about remembering the chart as a whole. Instead, try to break it down into chunks and just remember a few basic points about our blackjack strategy chart.

Do dealers and Blackjack players follow the same Blackjack rules and strategy?

• No, dealers play according to house rules. Dealers usually follow one of two common Blackjack rules:
• 1/ According to the first variation of house rules a dealer 's ace is always counted as 11. Moreover, he would typically stand on all 17s and hit on a hand with a total of under 17.
• 2/ According to the second variation of house rules a dealer must hit if he gets a 'soft 17'. Under this rule the house edge is slightly increased, but the dealer doees not have the opportunity of Doubling Down or Splitting.

Below we’ve compiled a list of phrases which will help you to memorize basic Blackjack strategy:

Strategy for Soft Hands

Remember: Soft hands always have an ace present which is counted as 11.

When should I stand with a soft hand?

You should always stand when you have a soft hand with a total score of:

• 20 (A,9) or (10,10)
• 19 (A, 8) unless the dealer’s face up card displays a 6.
• 18 (A,8).

Should you Double or Hit when you have the following?

• 8 always hits.
• 17 (A,6) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 3 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 16 (A,5) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 15 (A,4) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 14 (A,3) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 5 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 13 (A,2) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 5 through 6, otherwise hit.

Strategy for Hard Hand

Remember: A hard hand is a hand which sometimes doesn't have an ace, but sometimes does. In cases in which it does, the ace is counted as 1.

When should you stand or hit with a hard hand?

You should also stand or hit when you have a hard hand with a total score of:

• 17 and up.
• 16 stands against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 15 stands against a dealer face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 14 stands against a dealer face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 13 stands against a dealer face up card with the value of 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 12 stands against dealer face up card with the value of 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
• 8 and under always hits.

When should you double with a hard hand?

You should double when you have a hard hand with a score of:

• 11
• 10 against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 through 9, otherwise hit.
• 9 against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 3, 4, 5 or 6 otherwise hit.

Strategy for Pairs

When should you Split?

Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart Pdf

You should Split when you have a pair of:

• 9s splits against a dealer’s face up card of 2 through 9 with the exception of a 7, otherwise Stand.
• 8s and Aces.
• 2s against a dealer’s face up card of 2 (or 4 depending on the rules) -7
• 3s against a dealer’s face up card of 4-7.
• 7s and the dealer has 2 through 7 as his face up card.
• 6s when the dealer has 2 , 3, 4, 5 or 6 as his face up card.
• 3s splits against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 through 7, otherwise hit.
• 2s splits against dealer’s face up card 2 through 7, otherwise hit.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Explained

When shouldn’t you Split?

Don’t split when you have a pair of:

• 4s.
• 10s.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Table

When should you double pairs?

You should double when you have a pair of:
• 5s against a dealer’s face up card with a value of 2 through 9 card.
• A soft 18 (A,7) doubles against a dealer’s face up card 3,4,5 and 6.

Blackjack Apprentice Basic Strategy

When should you hit pairs?

You should hit when you have a pair of:

• 7s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 8 through an Ace.
• 6s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 7 through an Ace.
• 4s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2 though an Ace.
• 3s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2,3,8,9,10 and an Ace.
• 2s against a dealer’s face up card with the value of 2,8, 9, 10 and an Ace.

Practice Using our Blackjack Basic Strategy Trainer, Then Hit the Casino

Whether you’ve never played Blackjack before or you’re simple looking to improve your strategy, you should definitely consider using our free Blackjack trainer to learn how to use the right move. Our Blackjack strategy trainer will be able to tell you what moves to make according to our basic Blackjack strategy chart. Once you feel confident in your implementation of strategy, head to our list of Blackjack Casinos and prepare to play with a fantastic exclusive Bonus!