Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

Basic strategy is the mathematically correct way to play every possible blackjack hand. It was derived from computer simulations of hundreds of millions of hands, and it tells you the one decision — hit, stand, double down, or split — that loses the least (or wins the most) in every situation.

Played perfectly, basic strategy cuts the house edge to roughly 0.5% — down from the 2% or more that typical guessing players give up. That makes blackjack the best-odds table game in the casino, and the chart below is the whole system. Memorize it here for free, then drill it in our free simulator until every decision is automatic.

Chart assumes dealer stands on soft 17 and double after split is allowed — the same rules used in our free simulator. If a double is not allowed (you have 3+ cards), hit instead.

How to Read the Chart

Find your hand in the left column, then follow the row across to the column matching the dealer's up card. Always work in this order: first check if you should split (pairs only), then whether to double down, and only then decide between hit and stand.

• Hard hands are hands without an ace (or where the ace must count as 1). Your busting risk drives the decision.
• Soft hands contain an ace counted as 11 — you can't bust by taking one card, which is why the chart is more aggressive about doubling.
• Pairs give you the option to split into two hands. Always split aces and 8s; never split 10s or 5s.

The 5 Rules Most Players Get Wrong

1. Always split 8s — even against a dealer 10. A hard 16 is the worst hand in blackjack; two hands starting from 8 lose less money in the long run.
2. Always split aces. Starting two hands at 11 is far stronger than one soft 12.
3. Never take insurance. Unless you're counting cards, insurance loses money over time — the payout doesn't match the true odds of the dealer having blackjack.
4. Stand on 12 against a dealer 4, 5, or 6 — the dealer is likely to bust, so don't risk busting yourself. But hit 12 against a 2 or 3.
5. Double soft 18 (A,7) against 3–6. Most players stand; the math says squeeze more money onto the table while the dealer is weak.

Why Basic Strategy Works

Every cell in the chart is the answer to one question: which decision has the highest expected value against this dealer up card? The dealer's up card tells you a lot — a 5 or 6 showing means the dealer busts about 42% of the time, while a 10 or ace showing means they'll likely finish with a strong hand. Basic strategy exploits that information systematically: you double and split more when the dealer is weak, and play conservatively to just avoid busting when the dealer is strong.

Basic strategy alone won't give you an edge over the casino — for that, players combine it with card counting — but it's the mandatory foundation. Counting is worthless if your playing decisions leak money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does basic strategy guarantee I'll win?

No. Basic strategy minimizes the house edge to about 0.5%, which means you'll lose the least possible over time — but the casino still holds a small advantage. It's the difference between losing ~$5 and losing ~$20+ per $1,000 wagered.

When should I hit or stand?

The short version: always hit hard 8 or less and always stand on hard 17+. With hard 12–16, stand when the dealer shows a weak card (2–6, except hit 12 vs 2–3) and hit when the dealer shows 7 or higher. Every exact case is in the chart above.

Is the chart different for different casino rules?

Slightly. Whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, the number of decks, and double/split rules shift a handful of borderline decisions. This chart matches the rules used in our simulator (dealer stands on 17). Learning any standard chart perfectly matters far more than those small variations.

How long does it take to memorize?

Most people can learn the pattern in a few hours and make it automatic within a week of practice. The fastest way is playing real hands with the chart open — practice free here and check each decision until you stop needing to look.