A Beginner’s Guide to Blackjack Strategy

Playing to Win: The Power of Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is one of the few casino games where your decisions directly and significantly impact the outcome. Although you can’t control the cards, you can control your actions, and using a solid strategy is the key to lowering the casino’s advantage. The mathematically correct decision for every possible hand combination is what we call basic strategy.

What is Basic Strategy?

Basic strategy is essentially a cheat sheet that provides the most profitable play in every scenario. Mathematicians perfected it by simulating every possible outcome to find the optimal move. By following basic strategy perfectly, you can lower the house edge to as little as 0.5% in some games, making it one of the best bets in the entire casino.

The Four Pillars of Blackjack Action

Let’s break down the main decisions and some simple rules of thumb.

1. Stand: You should generally stand on any hard total of 17 or more. You’re more likely to go over 21 than to improve your hand.. When the dealer shows a weak card (2-6), you can stand on lower totals like 13-16, letting the dealer take the risk of busting.
2. Hit: Always hit on a hand of 11 or lower, as you cannot possibly go over 21.. When the dealer shows a strong card (7-A), casino you need to be more aggressive and hit on hands like 12-16 to try and improve.
3. Doubling Your Bet for One Card: Doubling down is a key offensive move. It’s almost always correct to double on a hand total of 11.. Other good doubling spots include a total of 10 against a dealer’s 2-9, or a 9 against a dealer’s 3-6.
4. Split: The golden rule is to always split Aces and 8s. This is the correct play in virtually all situations.. On the other hand, never split 10s or 5s. A hand casino of 20 is too valuable, and a hand of 10 is better played as a double down opportunity.

How to Learn Basic Strategy

The best way to learn basic strategy is to use a basic strategy chart. These charts are widely available online and show you the correct move for every single player hand vs. dealer upcard combination. Start by studying the chart, then practice playing for free at an online casino to get comfortable with the decisions. It might seem intimidating at first, but with a little practice, following basic strategy will become automatic and significantly boost your confidence and casino performance at the blackjack table.