Blackjack Basic Strategy: The Only Guide You Need
Basic strategy reduces the house edge to under 0.5%. Here's the complete guide to memorising and applying it.
What Is Basic Strategy?
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal way to play every possible blackjack hand based on your cards and the dealer's up-card. Following basic strategy perfectly reduces the house edge to 0.5% or lower.
Core Rules to Memorise
Always split Aces and 8s.
Never split 5s or 10s.
Double down on 11 against dealer 2–10.
Hit 16 when dealer shows 7 or higher.
Stand on 17+ always.
Hard Totals
8 or less: Always hit. 9: Double vs dealer 3–6, hit otherwise. 10: Double vs dealer 2–9. 11: Double vs dealer 2–10. 12–16: Stand vs dealer 2–6, hit vs 7–Ace. 17+: Always stand.
Soft Totals (Ace + card)
Soft 13–15 (A2–A4): Double vs dealer 4–6, hit otherwise. Soft 16–17 (A5–A6): Double vs dealer 3–6. Soft 18 (A7): Stand vs 2,7,8; double vs 3–6; hit vs 9–Ace. Soft 19+ (A8+): Always stand.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking insurance (adds 7.4% house edge)
- Standing on soft 18 vs dealer 9,10,Ace
- Splitting 10s (you already have 20)