Basic Strategy Charts

If you learn nothing else, at least learn how to play blackjack according to basic strategy. Basic strategy tells you the best mathematical way to play any hand you’re dealt. This takes the guesswork out of whether you should hit, stand, double, split or surrender. Using basic strategy will typically lower the house edge down to just .5% or less depending on the specific table rules and number of decks being used. Using basic strategy alone isn’t enough to give you an edge over the house, but it will at least have you losing at a slower rate than most players. That’s a start!

Very few players realize that basic strategy charts differ depending on the number of decks being played with and the specific rules of the blackjack table. Below you will see a basic strategy chart that is correct for 4-8 decks where the dealer stands on Soft 17.

Note: If the multi-deck game you’re playing has the dealer “hitting on Soft 17″, then you would double A,8 vs 6 and double A,7 vs 2.

Double Deck Basic Strategy Chart

Here is a basic strategy chart that is correct for a double deck game where the dealer stands on Soft 17.

Note: If the multi-deck game you’re playing has the dealer “hitting on Soft 17″, then you would double A,8 vs 6, double A,7 vs 2 and double A,3 vs 4.

Single Deck Basic Strategy Chart

Here is a basic strategy chart that is correct for a single deck game where the dealer hits on Soft 17 and players cannot double after splitting.