Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide
Mastering the right blackjack strategy can significantly reduce the house edge, giving you a better chance to win at the table. By playing with basic strategy, you can lower the casino’s advantage to less than 0.5%, making blackjack one of the casino games with the lowest house edge.
In this guide, we will provide you with essential playing tips, an updated blackjack strategy chart, and a detailed explanation of basic strategy. Continue reading to discover the best ways to play 21 in both land-based casinos and online blackjack sites.
Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart
The foundation of beating blackjack starts with understanding a basic strategy chart. This chart outlines the optimal moves for every situation based on your cards and the dealer’s upturned card. It serves as a critical tool in minimizing the house edge.
We recommend printing the blackjack basic strategy chart below or keeping it open on your computer screen while you play. If you find yourself in a casino without having memorized all the moves, you can consult this chart during your game to make the best possible decisions.
Blackjack Strategy Chart
| Player’s Hand | Dealer’s Upcard 2 | Dealer’s Upcard 3 | Dealer’s Upcard 4 | Dealer’s Upcard 5 | Dealer’s Upcard 6 | Dealer’s Upcard 7 | Dealer’s Upcard 8 | Dealer’s Upcard 9 | Dealer’s Upcard 10 | Dealer’s Upcard A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 or less | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 9 | Hit | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 10 | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 11 | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13-16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 17+ | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| Ace-7 (Soft 18) | Stand | Double | Double | Double | Double | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
How to Read the Blackjack Chart
Understanding the blackjack cheat sheet may seem overwhelming at first, but you can quickly get the hang of it by consulting it as you play.
- Identify Your Hand: The leftmost column of the chart lists your hand, which can be a total value or a specific combination of two cards. Determine your hand based on the cards you have been dealt.
- Check the Dealer’s Upcard: After identifying your hand, look at the dealer’s upcard.
- Find the Optimal Move: Move to the corresponding position on the right side of the chart. The box in this position will indicate the best possible move for your situation.
The chart will suggest you either hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender. If the version of blackjack you are playing doesn’t support doubling down or surrendering, you can simply hit or stand instead. For the best advantage, choose blackjack tables that allow doubling down and surrendering.
Main Takeaways from Basic Blackjack Strategy
To help you get started with the blackjack strategy chart, here are some key points you can incorporate into your sessions right away:
- Always hit on a hand total of 11 or less.
- Stand on a hand total of 17 or more.
- Double down on a hand total of 10 or 11 if the dealer’s upcard is lower than your hand total.
- Split aces and eights.
- Never split tens or face cards.
- Surrender a hand total of 16 if the dealer’s upcard is a 9, 10, or ace, if allowed.
These basic guidelines will help you make more informed decisions at the blackjack table, reducing the house edge and improving your chances of winning.
