Blackjack Strategy
Mathematicians and blackjack experts have used computer simulations and
statistical analyses to try to find a way to beat the house at blackjack.
Through their studies, they have determined a basic strategy that gives the
player the best odds against the house.
This basic strategy helps the player make decisions about when to hit and
when to stand. By playing this basic strategy, the player can play on nearly
even terms with the house. This basic strategy is the starting point for
more-advanced card-counting strategies professional blackjack players use to
gain an advantage on the house.
Basic strategy
Below is the basic blackjack strategy for the typical rules found at online
casinos. While you can't beat the house in the long term using this strategy
alone, it does reduce the house's advantage considerably. You may want to print
a copy of the strategy and try it out on our free play-for-fun blackjack game.
Your Hand Dealer's Up Card
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A
5,6,7,8 H H H H H H H H H H
9 H D D D D H H H H H
10 D D D D D D D D H H
11 D D D D D D D D D H
12 H H S S S H H H H H
13,14 S S S S S H H H H H
15,16 S S S S S H H H H H
17,18,19,20 S S S S S S S S S S
Soft 13,14 H H H D D H H H H H
Soft 15,16 H H D D D H H H H H
Soft 17 H D D D D H H H H H
Soft 18 S D D D D S S H H H
Soft 19,20 S S S S S S S S S S
A-A SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
2-2,3-3 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H
4-4 H H H SP SP H H H H H
5-5 D D D D D D D D H H
6-6 SP SP SP SP SP H H H H H
7-7 SP SP SP SP SP SP H H H H
8-8 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP
9-9 SP SP SP SP SP SP SP SP S S
10-10 S S S S S S S S S S
H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double down, SP=Split
