Blackjack Basic Strategy: Your Complete Guide to Optimal Play

Making the right decision in blackjack isn't about gut feeling—it's mathematics. Basic strategy tells you the statistically optimal play for every possible hand combination against any dealer upcard. Master it, and you'll reduce the house edge to under 0.5%.

What Is Basic Strategy?

Basic strategy is a mathematically-derived set of rules that tells you when to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender. These decisions are based on millions of simulated hands and represent the play that loses the least money (or wins the most) over time.

The Core Rules You Must Know

When to Hit or Stand

Hard Hands (no Ace counted as 11):

• Always hit hard 8 or less
• Always stand on hard 17 or more
• Hit hard 12-16 against dealer 7 or higher
• Stand hard 12-16 against dealer 2-6 (dealer "bust cards")

Soft Hands (Ace counted as 11):

• Always hit soft 17 or less
• Stand on soft 19 or more
• Soft 18 is situational—hit against 9, 10, or Ace

When to Double Down

Doubling is your offensive weapon. Use it when:

• Hard 11: Double against everything except Ace
• Hard 10: Double against 2-9
• Hard 9: Double against 3-6
• Soft 16-18: Double against 5-6

When to Split Pairs

• Always split: Aces and 8s
• Never split: 10s and 5s
• Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s: Against dealer 2-7
• Split 9s: Against 2-6 and 8-9

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Standing on 12 against a 2 or 3 - Hit! The dealer busts less often with these cards.
2. Not doubling soft hands - You're leaving money on the table.
3. Splitting 10s - Never break up a 20.
4. Taking insurance - It's a sucker bet with a high house edge.

Track Your Sessions

Understanding strategy is one thing; knowing how well you execute it is another. Track your blackjack sessions to identify patterns and ensure you're sticking to optimal decisions.

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Ready to put your strategy to the test? Use our free Blackjack Strategy tool to practice optimal decisions and see the math behind every play.

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