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The basic strategy for Multiple-Action blackjack (and similar games) is the same as regular blackjack. READING THE BASIC STRATEGY CHART(S) Dealer’s up-card is shown along the top of the chart. Player’s hand is shown vertically on the left side of the chart. Always hit hands less than 9 unless otherwise indicated. Always stand on A,9 or higher.

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Basic blackjack strategy

• The Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart. The Blackjack basic strategy chart is one of the most essential things for any blackjack player. As the strategy recommends only the best decisions from a mathematical point of view, the blackjack strategy chart is the table that contains all the solutions recommended by blackjack basic strategy.This, or any chart for other set of rules, is the most.
• This strategy is known as basic strategy and is illustrated in the blackjack strategy chart shown below: As you can see from the diagrams in the chart, basic strategy outlines exactly how you should optimally play when considering what you have been dealt in relation to the dealer’s hand. Many new blackjack players make the mistake of going.

The single most important thing that you need to understand about the game of blackjack is that it is a game of player decisions.

Unlike any other game in the casino, when playing blackjack your decisions can have an outcome on how the hand plays out and thus can contribute to the wins or losses of the players at the table. Because of this fact, there is a mathematically proven strategy that gives you the best advantage when playing, and this should be used every time you play if you want the best odds in the long run.

This strategy is known as basic strategy and is illustrated in the blackjack strategy chart shown below:

As you can see from the diagrams in the chart, basic strategy outlines exactly how you should optimally play when considering what you have been dealt in relation to the dealer’s hand. Many new blackjack players make the mistake of going with gut feeling and being afraid to bust when they play, but using basic strategy every time is the best way to give yourself favorable odds during play.

If you are familiar with casino games, you will know that the house has the advantage in every game in the casino, which is how they turn a profit. Blackjack is no exception, however is one of the lowest house edge games in the casino, which is why it’s such a great game for players to learn and play.

The house edge in a typical blackjack game is around 0.50 percent when a player uses perfect basic strategy during play. This means that for every $100 you bet, the casino expects to win $0.50 from you over an infinite number of hands. The reason why basic strategy is so important is because if you take this same example of a $100 average bet and apply it to an unskilled player, the house advantage can go as high as 2.5 percent or more, meaning that the house would expect to win $2.50 or more over time.

Because of this, it’s easy to see why playing with basic strategy is the best choice for players each and every time.

Advanced blackjack strategy – card counting

I’m sure if you’ve had any experience in the casino, you have heard of what is known as card counting – a system that allows you to gain a positive expectation while playing blackjack putting the house edge in your favor. While card counting is not explicitly illegal, most casinos will kick out card counters since they can seriously damage the casino’s profits if they hit a hot streak.

Below is a brief introduction to card counting if you are curious about how this tactic is done.

Printable Blackjack Basic Strategy Card

In a nutshell, card counting is a tracking system where players use their memory to keep track of what cards have been dealt in blackjack. Since the game is dealt from a shoe (in most casinos) and there are only a certain number of cards in play each round, it is possible to get an idea of what is remaining in the deck and adjust your betting strategy accordingly.

Most counting systems use a -1, 0 and +1 system which gives each card in the deck a value. Usually cards 2-6 are +1, cards 7, 8 and 9 are 0 (neutral) and face cards and aces are -1.

As the cards are dealt, the player keeps track of the count using this system to get an overall picture for the remaining cards in the shoe. Since most blackjack games use multiple decks, the player will have to divide the running count (current count they have) by the number of decks they believe are left to form what is known as the true count.

Using the true count value, the player adjusts the bet so when it’s high in the positives they bet much more, however when the count is low they lower their bet since the odds aren’t in their favor. This system takesa ton of practice, however it is a proven method to get an advantage over the casino in blackjack.

Card counting in casinos is a concept surrounded by misconceptions, with most people assuming it is a skill only mathematical wizards can pull off successfully. Blackjack and poker players are often assailed by questions regarding the big deal with counting cards, as well as its legality and workability.

Counting cards is really just a variation of basic strategies, not rocket science. It requires no mathematical prowess or photographic memory, even though mathematicians developed and established the first card counting systems. The actual counting is a skill average players master without a challenge; the difficult part is usually avoiding getting kicked out of a casino, though this is not a problem with online casinos.

It makes it possible for a Blackjack player to be at an advantage over the casino for a lengthy period of time, which means that overall, players that are counting cards will experience more wins than losses. This is only possible when the player knows when the odds of winning are in their favor, so they can bet more, and when the odds of losing the hand shift to the dealer. This is done by keeping track of the cards during the game.

How to Count Cards in Blackjack

Blackjack is a game of adversaries, with the player’s opponent being the house dealer. The game has many variations, but for standard Blackjack, the player aims at having a hand of cards totaling to 21 points without exceeding. The face value of all cards in the deck is considered to be their points, except for 10, Jack, Queen, and King, which are the Royals, each with a value of 10. The Ace can serve as a 10 or a 1, depending on the player’s decision.

To play, the dealer deals each player with two cards, face down, and two cards to themselves, with only one face down. The player is then able to see the exposed card and can speculate what the dealer’s hole card and hand value is.

In Blackjack, you should not expect to see the deck being shuffled except for that one time at the onset of the game. For players with extremely good memory, they can mentally mark every card they see, hand after hand, and then deduct the number of cards remaining in the deck as well as which ones have been dealt already. Following this deduction, a player can tell when it’s time to bet high or low. For instance, if only small cards have been revealed for a while, there is a great chance that Royals will be the next hand, and this may be the best time to bet high. On the other hand, if only large cards have been shown, betting low is the best option, and you can hit without worrying about a bust.

Why do Large Cards Favor the Player?

Before you venture into playing blackjack for real money, understand that the mix of cards in the deck influences the probability of your winning a hand. The probability increases when the mix has an abundance of large cards, such as Aces, 10s, Kings, Queens, and Jacks. When dominated by small cards, the odds remain in the dealer’s favor.

To understand how large cards shift the odds to the player’s favor, start by understanding that a mix full of large cards is likely to yield more Blackjacks. Even as the dealer also has the same chance of obtaining Blackjacks, the player’s Blackjack hand wins them a 3:2 bonus payoff.

Sometimes the dealer may end up with a stiff hand (such as 12 to 16), and at this point he has to draw. If large cards are the majority in the deck, it is more likely that the dealer will bust. However, the player’s situation when the deck is still rich in large cards is the contrary, as they are not obliged to draw on a stiff hand.

Players who double down in the large card mix usually make good. Likewise, when the dealer’s face card is weak, the player can get quite a lucrative pay by splitting the pair into two hands. On the other hand, there is more profit for dealers who hold stiff hands and draw from small card-rich decks.

How then does the player know if the deck is laden with large or small cards? This is where understanding the basics of card counting in Blackjack come in handy.

Basic Strategies of Card Counting

The basis of a card counting strategy is the odds that come with every card in the deck. However, when a hand has been played, the used cards are put by the dealer in the discard tray. The next hand is dealt with what remains of that deck. An estimated half or three-quarters of the same deck may end up being used before the cards are reshuffled.

Normally, card counting systems base their calculations for the odds of drawing a 10-value card on the cards still in the deck. When a player is able to keep track of the cards as they are played, deduction becomes easy. Keeping track of the cards is easiest done by assigning each card with a tag.

Tagging Cards

Hi-Low, the most popular system of counting cards, assigns a tag of +1 to the small cards favorable to the dealer (2-6). A tag of -1 is assigned to the player favorable cards, which are the large cards (10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace). A tag of 0 is assigned to the cards left (7, 8, and 9).

The player observes keenly as the cards are played and then discarded, and he continually adds their values. Zero is the starting point immediately after a shuffle, and the values fluctuate between positive and negative, the total being the running count. At the start of the first round, when the cards are faced, the player adds the tags. If, for instance, player #1 shows a 2 and 4, you add +1 tag for the 2 and +1 tag for the 4 to get a sum count of +2.

This addition of the card tags should continue for every card the player sees, increasing the count by 1 for small cards and decreasing by 1 for large cards. As the first round draws to a close, the running count will either be negative or positive. The player may have seen 10 (-1), 9 (0), 2 (+1), King (-1), Ace (-1), and Jack (-1) dealt in the first hand, in which case the count would be -3.

A negative running count indicates more high value cards have been played, and therefore, the deck is rich in small cards. At this point, the dealer will have the edge and the player bets the lowest amount allowed. The reverse is true of a positive running count: the discard tray contains many low value cards, which in turn means the deck still has a greater percentage of high value cards. This has a positive impact, as the next hand brings the odds in favor of the player, and the next bet he makes should be larger.

Considering a player bases his strategy on the assumption that a 10-value card will be dealt in the next hand, this assumption becomes stronger when it is backed by the greater percentage. This, therefore, strengthens the overall basic strategy.

Blackjack Betting Strategy Chart

Placing the Bet

A typical user of a card-counting system usually places a minimum bet against the table when the deck is still fresh. As the running count increases and gets to a particular level, like a +4 or higher, the system user doubles down aggressively or increases his bet significantly. The higher the running count, the larger the bet placed and vice versa.

These are the beneficial odds the player uses to make wins while the deck is still hot. When the count drops to less than a zero or the dealer shuffles the deck, it is high time to go back to the minimum bets.

This goes to show that card counting in Blackjack is simply adding each card’s tag as it is played, and it changes the amount you bet but not the rules of the basic counting strategy.

Putting Theory into Practice

As a player, you must put all you have learned so far into practice. Take a deck of cards and thoroughly shuffle them, after which you should turn each card over at a time, reciting its tag. If, for example, the first card is a 4, say “plus 1” and if the one that follows is a Jack, say “minus 1.” Do the same for the whole deck, so that you can be able to associate each card with its tag.

Next, flip the cards in the same deck over one at a time while making a mental note of the running count. If the first card is 3 and the next is 2, the running count is “plus 2.” If the third card is 8, the running count remains a “plus 2,” as the tag for 8 is 0. By the time you are done counting the entire deck, “zero” should be your running count. This is the test for card counting accuracy.

Success at card counting comes with the ability to make an accurate count down of a deck of cards in under 30 seconds. Other skills also come to play, which include the following:

• How to place a bet depending on the count.
• How to determine the amount of bankroll you need.
• When to stop using the basic playing strategy and make a deviation.
• How to play without indicating you have an edge.
• How to gauge risk of ruin.

How Legal is Counting Cards?

Card counting is not cheating, unless counting machines or devices are used. In spite of the many attempts by casinos to get laws criminalizing it passed, it remains legal. This means that winning a card game by employing a mental strategy or skillfully using the information you have is not an issue. You cannot really be stopped by anyone from counting cards in your head!

The problem comes in when the casinos, which are private establishments with the right to serve the customers they choose, deem a counting strategy cheating and believe a player to be counting cards. Such a decision could even stem from the fact that the player’s winning streak is so long that the casino begins to lose money. At this point, the player risks not only being thrown out of the casino they are playing at, but being blacklisted by other casinos as well.

Most brick-and-mortar casinos hire people with the training and experience for spotting players counting cards so as to boot them before the casino incurs significant loss. They also share a common network, and it is quite possible for a player barred from entering one casino under accusations of rigging a game to be given the same treatment in all casinos within the same link. Charges of trespass become inevitable if you go to these casinos after being blacklisted.

Blackjack strategy frequently asked questions

Do players have the best odds in blackjack?

The answer is yes. The odds normally depend on the rules of the game, as well as how skilled the player is. For instance, with Las Vegas Strip rules, in a single deck game where you play using the correct basic strategy, you are allowed to double after splitting and this gives you an advantage of +0.1 percent.

What does the term “Las Vegas rules” mean?

This is a term often used when comparing different variations of blackjack, and it refers to the variants with rules that are typical of Downtown Las Vegas. These include:

• Players are allowed to double down on their initial two cards.
• Players are allowed to re-split.
• The dealer can hit a soft 17.
• Insurance is allowed.
• The “Las Vegas rules” enhance the odds of the player slightly, as the dealer has to stand on soft 17.

What is meant by the correct basic blackjack strategy?

Blackjack has a single correct basic strategy, given the game’s basic rules. However, the strategy can vary slightly from game to game, as different casinos may offer different rules. The basic strategy can also be affected by the number of decks used in different blackjack variants.

What is the first step in learning how to win at blackjack?

There are many good books on blackjack that you can read. Learning the basic strategy perfectly is the first step towards a winning streak. As you read and practice this strategy, keep your bets in the casino at the minimum, and be wary of any promises of advantages exceeding 1.5 percent.

You should also keep off money management systems and progressive betting. You can even subscribe to reputable newsletters for the latest strategies. Most of all, be disciplined. This is your money at stake!

Which games are better: single deck or multi-deck?

The answer cannot be a certain yes or no. When having the same rules, there is a 0.5 percent to 0.6 percent disadvantage of the multi-deck game over the single deck game, with the difference between the two stemming from the impact of removing cards. The removal of one card in a shoe game has a negligible effect while in a single deck, the effect is big.

On the other hand, finding player-friendly conditions and good rules in multi-deck shoes is much easier. Therefore, single and double-deck games have an inherent advantage over multi-deck games, but they are also easily manipulated to the casino’s benefit.

Simple Blackjack Strategy

What factors should be considered when evaluating a game of blackjack?

It depends. As a card counter, you look for the games that have the best conditions for best utilizing the card counting system. As a player who uses basic strategy, you look for single-deck games with the best options and rules. As a gambler, casinos with slow dealers, full and single-deck games, the least number of players, and liberal comp policies options are your best bet.

How “beatable” is blackjack really?

Blackjack is not just a fun game or brainteaser, but an investment opportunity that involves skill, knowledge, risk, and bankroll. You have to consider these factors every time you want to place a bet.

For a player with high skills but a small bankroll, he must settle for only a couple dollars in wins per hour, with the alternative being risk of financial ruin. Still, those are better chances than you’ll usually enjoy when playing online slot machines or roulette.

Does card counting increase the amount I win?

The most honest answer is that there is always a fair chance of losing money in blackjack, even with card counting skills. Your achievements largely depend on a combination of your skill level, amount of risk you are ready to take, bankroll, and the game quality.

When these factors are in the balance, you, hypothetically speaking, get a 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent long-term advantage. This means that over time, you can expect to bag about 1 percent of the total of your actions, although it does not in any way imply that you have a greater advantage in an individual circumstance or bet. So, if you are making $25 bets on average on each hand and each hour you play 75 hands, you can expect about $19 in wins every hour.

Beware, though, that this is not a given, considering expected variations.

Is card counting legal?

Yes. Card counting is purely a mental activity, and it is as legal as counting the money in your pocket using only your head. As long as you do not use blackjack counting machines and devices, there is no law that makes card counting skills illegal.

Some casinos do consider it cheating, though, and if suspected of counting cards, you may be asked to leave the casino.

What is the best system of counting cards?

Only robots can have a “best” card counting system, but for a human, you have a number of limitations when it comes to the ability to keep track of each and every card played. For multi-deck (shoe) games, all systems of card counting work within about one-tenth of one percent of each other.

For single deck variations, there can be a significant theoretical improvement when there is a balanced multi-level count that includes an ace side-count instead of single-level counts. The huge problem with such a counting system is that you run the risk of mental fatigue, which inadvertently results in error.

For most players the simplest system is the best, and rightly so. Simple card counting systems for multi-deck games include Zen, Hi-Lo, K-O, and Red-Seven systems, while those for single-deck games include Zen, Hi-Opt I, and Omega II systems.

Are there other ways to beat blackjack besides card counting?

Many years of playing and modifying blackjack have proven that card counting is the unparalleled method of beating the game.

Many casinos offer different variations of blackjack, which sometimes presents players with windows of opportunities to increase their wins. Other such factors on a blackjack game include comps, shuffle tracking, peeking, tells, front loading, sidebets, coupons, flashing, basing, warps, promotions, rules, mistakes, and new games.

Is cheating something to worry about?

In large and long-established casinos, you do not have to be concerned about cheating. With small, out of the way casinos, though, this may be a different case. Relatively speaking, single deck blackjack is one of the card games best known for easy cheating. With multi-deck shoes, there is usually physical evidence of rigging left behind.

As a player, it is up to you to know all the tactics used to cheat and stay on alert, so as to protect yourself. For instance, if you are playing single deck, look out for preferential shuffling by the dealer, which happens whenever the odds shift to the players’ advantage. It is better to just leave the game when you suspect anything shifty.

When is it advisable to take insurance?

As a player who uses the basic strategy, you shouldn’t think of taking insurance. The card counter is the only person who is usually aware when there is a profitable insurance bet. If the dealer deals you a Bblackjack and then he shows an ace, your simple answer should be “No, I will take my chances!”

Politely refuse to take even money, as you are at a greater advantage when your payoffs are 3:2 most of the time, instead of having to receive even money for every win you make.

What is the big secret to winning at blackjack?

To win at this game, you must have the knack for taking advantage of the situation. This means balancing your skills and knowledge with risk and bankroll factors. The ultimate secret, though, is dedication to blackjack and experience.

Blackjack etiquette

Long gone are the days you had to be sporting a tuxedo to be able to play blackjack in a brick and mortar casino. The advent of online blackjack has brought with it a very casual attitude to the game, such that there is no one to stop a player from placing a $1000 bet while sitting in their underwear.

Etiquette is, however, of the essence when playing live blackjack at a non-online casino.

Playing online blackjack does not come with as great a demand for proper etiquette as in a brick and mortar casino, but there are still expected table manners. Some players may prefer to have a bit of banter or chat with fellow players, while others may prefer silence as they play in order to concentrate on their game.

Every blackjack player is different and the blackjack table manners are put there to create a balanced and conducive atmosphere in the gaming room, whether online or off.

Talking at a blackjack table

Maintain silence if the other players or the dealer are not chatty. If you are an outrageously loud player, you may find yourself playing alone, as having a comment to make on every hand dealt can get on the nerves of others. This goes for live blackjack as well as the chat box of an online blackjack room.

Know how to play

Before you settle down for a new game at a land-based casino, make sure you understand all the rules of that game variation. There will typically be a small sign listing how the game is played at the side of the dealer at every table should you have a question.

There are also more game rules, which include the dealer’s expected action when on a hard, soft, or all 17s; insurance; bet details; and the payouts. It is only courteous to take time to learn the rules, so as not to drive fellow players crazy with unending questions like, “Can I double down this hand?” or “Can I split?”

Rules differ between games. If you are in a London casino, your cards are dealt face up, and you must never touch them even just once during the game. If at a Nevada casino, you are dealt your cards face down and can handle them, although it is wise to do this as little as possible.

Failure to follow rules can have you thrown out of the game and/or the casino altogether. And for both games, you make your bet before the round begins. After that, you do not touch your bet again. When you want to double down, you do not place this bet on top of your original bet, but rather beside it.

In case you wish to buy insurance, there is an area set aside on the table for making this type of bet. If it is absent, place the bet beside your original bet.

Respect other players

You should never treat the player who seats on the table’s last position as your enemy, even though every single move they make has a direct effect on the dealer’s hand. Blackjack is a game of respect and sophistication.

Do not abuse other players when the card they take leads to the dealer’s win. Oftentimes, this player is blamed by the others at the table for standing their hand or taking an extra card when a different decision would have caused the dealer to bust. Remember your decisions also impact the overall game.

Tipping the dealer

Tipping a blackjack dealer is allowed, but avoid getting carried away. If you are in the habit of flipping a chip to the dealer in every win you make, you should know it is your bankroll you are giving away, thus dramatically lowering your chances of making a bigger win.

It is wiser to wait for the time the dealers are shifting to offer your tip or after a big win.

Respect the dealer

Don’t take your anger out on the dealers if you are experiencing a losing streak, as they are only doing their job. Take a break rather or move to another table.

Basic Strategy: The First Step toward Winning at Blackjack

The first step in learning how to play winning blackjack, whether your plan is to make card counting a hobby, or to become a full-time professional blackjack shuffle-tracker or hole card player, is to learn blackjack basic strategy.

If you make your decisions by playing your hunches, you will lose in the long run. There is only one correct play decision in blackjack for any given hand, and that decision is based strictly on mathematics.

Whether or not you should hit or stand, double down or split a pair, depends on what the laws of probability show to be your long-term overall win and loss results for each of these possibilities. Mathematicians, using high speed computers, have analyzed every possible blackjack hand you might hold vs. every possible dealer up card.

Definition of 'Basic Strategy': Blackjack basic strategy is the mathematically optimum way to play your blackjack hands if you are not counting cards. Depending on the rules and the number of decks in use, blackjack basic strategy will usually cut the house edge to no more than about ½ percent over the player. This makes blackjack the least disadvantageous game in the casino, even if you are not a card counter or another type of blackjack pro.

To explain why the various blackjack basic strategy decisions are best would require extensive mathematical proof. Unless you understand the math, and have a computer to work it out, you’ll have to accept basic strategy on faith.

There is an underlying logic to basic strategy, however, which can be understood by anyone who understands the rules of blackjack.

Why Blackjack Basic Strategy Works

In a 52-card deck there are 16 ten-valued cards: four tens, four jacks, four queens, and four kings. (For purposes of simplification, when I refer to a card as a 'ten' or 'X,' it is understood to mean any 10, Jack, Queen or King.)

Every other denomination has only four cards, one of each suit. You are four times more likely to pull a ten out of the deck than, say, a deuce. Because of this, when the blackjack dealer’s upcard is 'high' —7,8,9,X, or A—he has a greater likelihood of finishing with a strong total than when his upcard is 'low' - 2,3,4,5, or 6.

Thus, if the dealer’s upcard is a 7, 8, 9, X, or A, and you are holding a 'stiff'--any blackjack hand totaling 12 through 16--you want to hit. That's because, when the dealer’s hand indicates strength, you do not want to stand with a weak hand. Even though, when you hit a stiff, you are more likely to bust than to make a pat hand, you must give your hand a better chance of beating the dealer’s by taking a hit.

Weak player hands tend to lose more often than they win, and there is nothing you can do about that. But you will lose more money in the long run if you stand on these weak hands when the dealer shows strength.

On the other hand, if the dealer’s up card is 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and you are holding a stiff hand, you should stand. Since the dealer must hit his stiff hands, and since stiffs bust more often, hitting your weak hand is not advantageous.

Similarly, if the dealer’s up card indicates he may be stiff, it is more advantageous to double down or to split pairs, thereby getting more money onto the table when the dealer has a higher chance of busting. You double down and split pairs less often when the dealer shows a strong upcard.

This is the basic logic of blackjack basic strategy. There are exceptions to these simplified guidelines, as the actual basic strategy decision for any given hand is determined by working out all of the mathematical probabilities.

The Generic Blackjack Basic Strategy provided below will get you almost all of the value available to players from Basic Strategy in most games. If you only want to learn one chart, this is the one you should learn.

At the end of this article you will find a Comprehensive Blackjack Basic Strategy, which shows every basic strategy variation for all traditional blackjack games—single deck, multi-deck, games with special rules, etc.

Most of the differences in these charts have very little dollar value to players, and a number of high stakes pros simply ignore them. But if you enjoy memorizing charts, or if you've found a great single deck game in Moldavia, for example, you may want to learn the specific basic strategy for that game and gain those few extra hundredths of a percent.

The main value of the Comprehensive Blackjack Basic Strategy card comes from any unusual rule, such as Early Surrender, with a high value to the player in and of itself.

If you’re leaving on a trip to Las Vegas tomorrow and just need some easy-to-learn advice on how to play your blackjack hands during your vacation, see our simplified basic strategy, also at the end of this article.

STAND

DOUBLE DOWN

DOUBLE DOWN, SOFT TOTALS

SURRENDER (LATE)

PAIR SPLITS
NO DOUBLE AFTER SPLITS

PAIR SPLITS
WITH DOUBLE AFTER SPLITS

INSURANCE: NO

S = Stand, H = Hit, D = Double Down (if doubling not available, then hit), Ds = Double Down (if doubling not available, then stand),
¢ = Surrender, Y = Split, N = Don't split

This generic basic strategy may be used for any game. See the end of this article for comprehensive basic strategy variations according to all rule variations and specific number of decks in play.

Using the Basic Strategy Chart

There's no need to drive yourself crazy by trying to learn all aspects of basic strategy at once. Regardless of the number of decks in play or the rule variations, basic strategy for any game is essentially the same.

Since few casinos offer the late surrender option, you need not learn this unless you intend to play in those casinos. Since the early surrender option is so rare in the U.S., the basic strategy for this rule variation is primarily of interest to those who frequent casinos in other countries. It is not included in the chart above.

Should you encounter a casino that offers early surrender, you will find the basic strategy for it in the Comprehensive Basic Strategy Chart at the end of this article.

Two pair-splitting tables are presented here. Note that I use the symbol '$' to denote a basic strategy pair split decision.

The first pair-split table assumes that you are not allowed to double down after splitting a pair. In many casinos, this is the rule, though in some casinos, including many Las Vegas Strip casinos and all Atlantic City casinos, players are allowed to double down after pair splits. If you plan to play primarily in these casinos, study the second table.

Note that there are only a few differences between these tables. If you’ll be playing in games with both rules, just learn the first table, then brush up on the differences prior to playing in the double-after-split (DAS) casinos.

Note that I use the symbol '¢' to denote a basic strategy surrender decision.

The charts are straightforward. The player’s hands are listed vertically down the left side. The dealer’s upcards are listed horizontally along the top. Thus, if you hold a hand totaling 14 vs. a dealer 6, you can see the basic strategy decision is 'S', or Stand. With a total of 14 vs. a dealer 7, since 'S' is not indicated, you would hit. Note: If your total of 14 is comprised of a pair of 7s, you must consult the pair splitting chart first. You can see that with a pair of 7s vs. either a dealer 6 or 7, you would split your 7s.

Order of Decisions

Use the basic strategy chart in this order:

1. If surrender is allowed, this takes priority over any other decision. If basic strategy calls for surrender, throw in the hand.

2. If you have a pair, determine whether or not basic strategy calls for a split.

3. If you have a possible double down hand, this play takes priority over hitting or standing. For instance, in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, you may double down on any two cards. Thus, with a holding of A,7 (soft 18) vs. a dealer 5, your basic strategy play, as per the chart, is to double down. In Northern Nevada, where you may usually double down on 10 or 11 only, your correct play would be to stand.

4. After determining that you do not want to surrender, split a pair, or double down, consult the 'Stand' chart. Always hit a hard total of 11 or below. Always stand on a hard total of 17 or higher. For all 'stiff' hands, hard 12 through 16, consult the basic strategy chart. Always hit soft 17 (A,6) or below. Always stand on soft 19 (A,8) or higher. With a soft 18 (A,7), consult the chart.

How to Practice Blackjack Basic Strategy

1. Study the Charts

Any professional blackjack player could easily and quickly reproduce from memory a basic strategy chart. Study the charts one section at a time. Start with the hard Stand decisions. Look at the chart. Observe the pattern of the decisions as they appear in the chart, close your eyes and visualize this pattern.

Study the chart once more, then get out your pencil and paper. Reproduce the hard Stand chart. Do this for each section of the chart separately - hard Stand, soft Stand, hard Double Down, soft Double Down, Pair Splits, and Surrender. Do this until you have mastered the charts.

2. Practice with Cards

Place an ace face up on a table to represent the dealer’s up card. Shuffle the rest of the cards, then deal two cards face up to yourself. Do not deal the dealer a down card. Look at your two cards and the dealer’s ace and make your basic strategy decision.

Then check the chart to see if you are correct. Do not complete your hand. If the decision is 'hit,' don’t bother to take the hit card. After you’ve made and double-checked your decision, deal another two cards to yourself. Don’t bother to pick up your first hand. Just drop your next, and all subsequent, cards face up on top of the last cards dealt.

Go through the entire deck (25 hands), then change the dealer’s up card to a deuce, then to a 3, 4, 5, etc. You should be able to run through a full deck of player hands for all ten dealer up cards in less than half an hour once you are able to make your decisions without consulting the charts.

Every decision should be instantaneous when you are proficient. Strive for perfection. If you have the slightest doubt about any decision, consult the chart.

To practice your pair split decisions, which occur less frequently than other decisions, reverse the above exercise. Deal yourself a pair of aces, then run through the deck changing only the dealer’s up card. Then give yourself a pair of deuces, etc.

Don’t waste time with any exercise you don’t need. Your basic strategy for splitting aces, for instance, is always to split them. You don’t need to run through a whole deck of dealer up cards every day to practice this decision.

Likewise, basic strategy tells you to always split 8s, and never to split 4s, 5s or 10s. You will learn these decisions quickly. Most of your study and practice for pair-splitting decisions should go toward learning when to split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s and 9s.

If you learn to play basic strategy without counting cards, most casinos will have only a ½ percent edge over you. This means that in the long run, they will win about 50¢ for every $100 you bet. In some games, the house advantage over basic strategy players is slightly more or less than this.

If you play blackjack for high stakes, it is wise to learn basic strategy, even if you are not inclined to count cards. Playing basic strategy accurately will greatly cut your losses.

Simplified Blackjack Basic Strategy

If you do not intend to learn accurate basic strategy, you can cut the house edge to about 1 percent by playing an approximate basic strategy. Follow these rules for Blackjack Basic Strategy Lite:

Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart Printable

1. Never take insurance.

2. If the dealer’s upcard is 7, 8, 9, X or A, hit until you get to hard 17 or more.

3. If the dealer’s upcard is 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, stand on all your stiffs; hard 12 through 16.

4. Hit all soft hands of soft 17 (A,6) and below.

5. Stand on soft 18 (A,7) or higher.

6. Double down on 10 and 11 vs. any dealer up card from 2 through 9.

Advanced Blackjack Strategy Chart

7. Always split aces and 8s.

8. Never split 4s, 5s or 10s.

9. Split all other pairs - 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s and 9s - vs. any dealer up card of 4, 5 or 6.

10. Surrender 16 vs. 9, X or A.

Note: In Multi-Action games, your basic strategy does not change. Always play every hand exactly as if it were the only hand on the table. Do not be afraid to hit your stiffs—a common Multi-Action error. The Multi-Action format does not alter the house percentage, or basic strategy, in any way.

If you intend to learn to count cards, first learn to play accurate blackjack basic strategy. Once you know blackjack basic strategy, your decisions will become automatic.

Assuming you brush up on your charts occasionally, you will not have to continue practicing basic strategy. Even when you are counting cards, you will play basic strategy on 80% or more of your hands. Basic strategy is your single most powerful weapon at casino blackjack. ♠

STAND

Free Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart Printable

DOUBLE DOWN

DOUBLE DOWN, SOFT TOTALS

SURRENDER (LATE)

S = Stand, H = Hit, D = Double Down (if doubling not available, then hit), Ds = Double Down (if doubling not available, then stand),
¢ = Surrender

1 = Stand with 3 or More Cards
2 = Hit in Multi-Deck, or if Dealer Hits S17
3 = European No-Hole Hit
4 = S17 Multi-Deck or European No-Hole Hit
5 = Single-Deck Only
6 = With Hit Soft 17 Only
7 = Single Deck Hit
8 = Single Deck, X-6 Only
9 = With Hit Soft 17 in Multi-Deck
10 = Excluding 8,7

>

Free Blackjack Strategy Chart

INSURANCE: NO

Y = Split, ¢ = Surrender

1 = European No-Hole Hit
2 = Single Deck Only

For information on winning at blackjack beyond basic strategy, see Arnold Snyder's Blackbelt in Blackjack. For information on all aspects of the game of blackjack, from its history to how to play and win all its variations (Blackjack Switch, Rummy, Spanish 21, etc.) see Arnold Snyder's The Big Book of Blackjack.

[Note: Although hundreds of independent researchers and mathematicians have proven that basic strategy loses the least over the long run, gambling is always risky. Anything can happen in the short run.

Every professional gambler can tell many stories of seemingly impossible streaks of bad luck at blackjack, and no one can ever guarantee that you will win over the short run even when you are playing with an advantage. Never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose.]