Basic StrategyMastered

Learn the optimal decisions for every blackjack situation, why they work, and how to memorize them quickly.

Pairs

Split to escape weak hands or make strong ones

Split when it increases EV and avoids difficult totals.

Always Split

Pair of Aces and 8's

These splits dramatically improve your position

Never Split

Pair of 5's and 10's

Splitting these create disadvantageous hands.

Split 9's against 2-9 except 7.

Split 2, 3, 7's against 2-7.

Soft Totals

Ace counted as 11

Hands with an Ace counted as 11. Use Doubles to press thin edges and avoid standing too early.

Soft 20 (A,9) ALWAYS STANDS.

Soft 19 (A,8) Doubles against 6 if allowed, otherwise Stands.

Soft 18 (A,7)

vs 2-6:

Double

(or Stand if not allowed)

vs 7-8:Stand

vs 9-A:Hit

Soft 17 (A,6) Doubles against 3-6, otherwise hits.

Hard Totals

No Ace counted as 11

Hands without an Ace counted as 11. Prioritize standing on strong totals and doubling when the dealer is weak.

8 or below always Hits.

9 Doubles against 3-6, Hit all others.

10 Doubles against anything less than itself, otherwise hits.

11 ALWAYS DOUBLES DOWN.

Surrender

Cut your losses

When offered, surrender trims losses in a few specific high-edge spots.

Surrender if allowed against 9-A. Dealer is strong and you're in a weak position.

Surrender if allowed against 10. Dealer is strong and you're in a weak position.

How to Play Blackjack

Learn the fundamental rules and gameplay of blackjack before diving into basic strategy

Objective

Beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 without going over. You're not competing against other players at the table.

Key Points:

• Get as close to 21 as possible
• Don't exceed 21 (bust)
• Beat the dealer's hand
• Other players don't affect your game

Card Values

Number Cards (2-10)Face value

Face Cards (J, Q, K)10 points

Ace1 or 11 (your choice)

Pro Tip: Aces are flexible - count as 11 when beneficial, 1 when 11 would cause a bust

Gameplay

Place Your Bet

Put chips in the betting circle before cards are dealt

Receive Cards

Get two cards face up, dealer gets one up and one down

Make Decisions

Hit, Stand, Double, Split, or Surrender based on your hand

Dealer Plays

Dealer follows fixed rules (usually Hit on 16 or less, Stand on 17+)

Player Actions

1. Insurance

Basic strategy says never take insurance

2. Surrender

Surrender if allowed and it's the optimal play

3. Split

Split pairs when it increases your expected value

4. Double Down

Double your bet and take exactly one more card

5. Hit or Stand

Take another card or keep your current hand

Winning & Losing

You Win When:

• Your hand is closer to 21 than dealer's
• Dealer busts (goes over 21)
• You get blackjack (Ace + 10-value card)

You Lose When:

• Your hand busts (goes over 21)
• Dealer's hand is closer to 21
• Dealer gets blackjack and you don't

Push (Tie):

When both you and dealer have the same total - your bet is returned

Payouts

Regular Win1:1 (even money)

Blackjack3:2 (1.5x your bet)

Double Down1:1 on doubled amount

Split Win1:1 on each split hand

Warning: Some casinos offer 6:5 blackjack payouts instead of 3:2 - this significantly increases the house edge

Ready to Learn Basic Strategy?

Now that you understand the rules, you're ready to learn the optimal decisions for every situation. Basic strategy will reduce the house edge from 2-5% down to just 0.5% with perfect play.