Blackjack Basic Strategy Explained

What Is Basic Strategy?

Understanding the concept helps you appreciate why it works.

Core principle:

Basic strategy is a decision matrix derived from computer simulations running millions of hands. For every possible player hand and dealer up card combination, the simulations determined which action produces the highest expected value.

These aren't guesses or hunches. They're mathematical certainties based on probability and card distribution across infinite trials.

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Using perfect basic strategy, the house edge on a typical six-deck game with dealer standing on soft 17 and doubling after split allowed is only 0.4% to 0.6%. This means for every $100 wagered, you expect to lose just 40 to 60 cents long-term.

Compare this to playing by intuition or "gut feeling," which typically gives the house a 2% to 4% edge. The difference between 0.5% and 3% is huge over extended play.

Hard Total Strategy

Hard hands contain no Aces counting as 11 or have Aces forced to count as 1 to avoid busting.

When to Hit Hard Totals

Low hard totals need improvement and carry minimal bust risk.

Hit these hard totals:

• 8 or less: Always hit regardless of dealer's up card. You can't bust and need more value.
• 9: Hit unless dealer shows 3-6, in which case double down if allowed.
• 10: Hit against dealer 10 or Ace, otherwise double down.
• 11: Double down against any dealer card except Ace (hit if doubling unavailable).
• 12: Hit when dealer shows 2, 3, or 7 through Ace. Stand against 4-6.
• 13-16: Hit against dealer 7 through Ace. Stand against 2-6.

The logic behind 12-16 strategy is that dealer up cards of 7 or higher suggest strong dealer hands requiring you to improve your weak total. Dealer up cards of 2-6 suggest weak dealer positions likely to bust, so you stand and let them take the risk.

When to Stand on Hard Totals

Strong totals don't need improvement and should avoid bust risk.

Stand on these hard totals:

• 17 or higher: Always stand regardless of dealer's card. The bust risk from hitting far outweighs potential gain.
• 12-16 versus dealer 2-6: Stand and hope the dealer busts with their weak position.

Standing on 16 versus dealer 7 feels wrong to beginners, but hitting 16 busts so frequently that it's mathematically worse than standing and accepting the likely loss.

When to Double Hard Totals

Doubling commits extra money when you have the advantage.

Double down opportunities:

• 11: Double against dealer 2-10, hit against Ace
• 10: Double against dealer 2-9, hit against 10 or Ace
• 9: Double against dealer 3-6, hit otherwise

Doubling on 10 or 11 when the dealer shows weakness is one of the most profitable plays in blackjack. You're getting extra money into action when odds favor you.

Soft Total Strategy

Soft hands contain an Ace counting as 11, giving you flexibility since you can't bust on the next card.

Soft Hand Advantages

The Ace's dual value creates strategic opportunities.

Why soft hands differ:

You can hit without immediate bust risk. An Ace-6 totaling soft 17 can take any card safely since the Ace converts to 1 if needed.

This flexibility makes aggressive plays like doubling down profitable on soft totals that would be terrible hard totals. You'd never double hard 13, but doubling soft 13 (Ace-2) against dealer 5 or 6 is correct.

Soft Doubling Strategy

Certain soft totals become profitable doubles against weak dealer cards.

When to double soft hands:

• Soft 13-14 (Ace-2, Ace-3): Double against dealer 5-6, otherwise hit
• Soft 15-16 (Ace-4, Ace-5): Double against dealer 4-6, otherwise hit
• Soft 17-18 (Ace-6, Ace-7): Double against dealer 3-6, otherwise hit (stand on soft 18 vs 2, 7, 8)

These plays feel counterintuitive since you're doubling on totals like 13 or 14, but the dealer's weakness combined with your inability to bust makes these mathematically sound.

Soft 18 Special Case

Soft 18 requires nuanced strategy depending on the dealer's card.

Soft 18 decision tree:

• Against dealer 2, 7, 8: Stand (your 18 is strong enough)
• Against dealer 3-6: Double down (dealer weakness justifies extra bet)
• Against dealer 9, 10, Ace: Hit (dealer likely has you beaten)

Most beginners incorrectly stand on soft 18 against all dealer cards. The flexibility of your Ace means you should aggressively improve against weak dealers or try to improve against strong dealers.

Pair Splitting Strategy

Splitting pairs creates two independent hands, sometimes turning bad situations into good ones.

Always Split

Two pairs always warrant splitting regardless of dealer's card.

Mandatory splits:

Aces: Splitting Aces gives you two chances at blackjack or strong 21. A pair of Aces totaling 12 is one of the worst hands, but two separate Aces are potentially excellent.

Eights: A pair of 8s makes hard 16, the worst hand in blackjack. Splitting creates two hands starting at 8, which is much better than the guaranteed terrible 16.

Never deviate from these splits. The mathematics are overwhelming.

Never Split

Two pairs should never be split even when tempting.

Never split these:

Tens (10, J, Q, K pairs): You already have 20, which is an excellent hand. Splitting sacrifices a near-certain winner for two hands starting at 10. Terrible trade.

Fives: A pair of 5s makes 10, perfect for doubling down. Splitting creates two terrible hands starting at 5. Always treat the pair as 10 and follow that strategy.

Conditional Splits

Other pairs split based on dealer's up card.

Dealer-dependent splits:

• 2s, 3s, 7s: Split against dealer 2-7, hit otherwise
• 4s: Split only against dealer 5-6 (very rare), hit otherwise
• 6s: Split against dealer 2-6, hit otherwise
• 9s: Split against dealer 2-6 and 8-9, stand against 7, 10, Ace

These conditional splits balance your chances of improving versus the dealer's likely total based on their up card.

Surrender Strategy

When available, surrender saves money in specific terrible situations.

When to surrender:

• Hard 16: Surrender against dealer 9, 10, or Ace (except pair of 8s, which should split)
• Hard 15: Surrender against dealer 10

These situations are so unfavorable that accepting immediate 50% loss beats playing the hand out. You'll still lose most of the time even surrendering, but you lose less.

Many online blackjack tips overlook surrender because it's not always available, but when it is, proper use significantly improves your expected return.

Learning and Applying Basic Strategy

Memorizing the entire chart takes practice but dramatically improves results.

Study approaches:

• Start with hard totals: Master the most common situations first (12-16 versus dealer cards). These appear constantly.
• Add pair splits: Learn the mandatory splits (Aces, 8s, never 5s or 10s) then gradually add conditional splits.
• Include soft hands: Once comfortable with hard totals, add soft doubling situations to your repertoire.
• Practice with free games: Use demo platforms to drill decisions until they become automatic. Reference strategy charts during practice until you don't need them.
• Use strategy cards at tables: Many casinos allow reference cards. If playing online, keep a chart visible on screen until memorized.

Perfect basic strategy takes time to internalize, but even learning the major decisions (hard totals, always/never splits) captures most of the value immediately.

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FAQ: Blackjack Basic Strategy Explained

What is basic strategy in blackjack?

Basic strategy is a mathematically derived decision chart showing the optimal play (hit, stand, double, split, surrender) for every hand versus every dealer up card based on probability.

Does basic strategy guarantee winning?

No. Basic strategy minimizes the house edge to under 1% but doesn't eliminate it. You'll still lose some sessions due to variance and the house's mathematical advantage.

When should you hit in blackjack?

Hit on hard 8 or less always. Hit on 12-16 against dealer 7 through Ace. Hit soft totals unless doubling down or facing specific dealer weakness.

When should you double down in blackjack?

Double on 11 against dealer 2-10. Double on 10 against dealer 2-9. Double on 9 against dealer 3-6. Also double certain soft hands against dealer weakness.

Should you always split Aces and Eights?

Yes. Splitting Aces gives two chances at strong hands. Splitting 8s escapes the terrible hard 16. These splits are mandatory regardless of dealer's card.

What is the house edge with perfect basic strategy?

With typical rules (six-deck, dealer stands soft 17, 3:2 blackjack), perfect basic strategy reduces house edge to 0.4-0.6%, making blackjack one of the best casino games.