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Blackjack strategy means making decisions based on probability and expected value, not guesswork. Rather than relying on hunches, strategy tells you the mathematically best choice to hit, stand, double, split, or surrender, given your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Good strategy does not remove variance, but over many hands it reduces losses.
There are layers to blackjack strategy:
Basic strategy is the foundation of correct play
Advanced systems include card counting and more technical methods
Betting approaches cover how much to wager based on your bankroll
This page focuses on mastering basic strategy first, then introduces more advanced ideas. If you have not yet read the Learn Blackjack page, start there for rules, card values, and table flow.
Without strategy, blackjack is guesswork at worse odds. The game rewards correct decisions. Random mistakes or ignoring rule differences can increase your losses.
By choosing the statistically correct move every time, you can reduce the house edge from beginner levels of about 2 percent or more to roughly 0.3 percent to 0.8 percent, depending on the rules. In favourable rule sets it can be lower.
The advantage of strategy is consistency. Even during losing sessions, correct decisions help you lose less than you would on average without a plan.
Strategy changes slightly with common rule variations such as:
Dealer stands vs hits on soft 17 (S17 vs H17)
Number of decks
Whether doubling after splitting is allowed
Surrender availability
The basic strategy chart is your roadmap. It lists, for each possible player hand and dealer upcard, the best action: hit, stand, double, split, or surrender.
Rows show your hand type or total
Columns show the dealer’s upcard from 2 to Ace
The cell where they meet gives the recommended move
Use a chart that matches your game rules. A chart for S17 will differ slightly from one for H17, and single or double deck charts differ from multi deck charts. Always label your chart with the rules it assumes so players do not misapply it.
Single deck or double deck
Multi deck (4, 6, or 8 decks)
S17 vs H17
With or without doubling after splits
Below are practical rules you can memorise quickly. Adjust for your exact rule set where noted.
These are hands without a usable Ace, or where the Ace counts as 1.
8 or less: always hit
9: double vs dealer 3 to 6, otherwise hit
10: double vs dealer 2 to 9, otherwise hit
11: double vs dealer 2 to 10, hit vs Ace
12: stand vs dealer 4 to 6, hit otherwise
13 to 16: stand vs dealer 2 to 6, hit vs 7 to Ace
17 or more: always stand
These hands include an Ace that can count as 11 without busting.
Ace + 2 or Ace + 3: double vs dealer 5 to 6, otherwise hit
Ace + 4 or Ace + 5: double vs dealer 4 to 6, otherwise hit
Ace + 6: double vs dealer 3 to 6, otherwise hit
Ace + 7: stand vs 2, 7, 8; double vs 3 to 6; hit vs 9 to Ace
Ace + 8 or Ace + 9: always stand
Always split Aces and 8s
Never split 5s or 10s
Split 2s or 3s vs dealer 2 to 7 if doubling after split is allowed, otherwise vs 4 to 7
Split 6s vs dealer 2 to 6
Split 7s vs dealer 2 to 7
Split 9s vs 2 to 6 or 8 to 9, stand vs 7, 10, Ace
Use surrender only when the rules offer it.
Hard 16 vs dealer 9, 10, Ace: surrender
Hard 15 vs dealer 10: surrender
Choose late or early surrender when available as it can lower the house edge in these tough spots.
Basic strategy is necessary for long term success. The ideas below are for players who want more depth, along with their limits.
What it is
Counting assigns a value to cards as they are dealt. High cards benefit the player more than the dealer, so a deck rich in tens and Aces is helpful. A running count or true count guides your bet size and, at times, a few strategy deviations.
Popular systems
Hi-Lo: balanced, widely used, straightforward
KO: unbalanced, avoids true count conversion
Omega II, Wong Halves, Uston SS and others: more precise, more complex
Where it works
Counting is viable at live, shoe dealt tables with good penetration. It does not work in RNG games or with continuous shuffle machines.
Risks and limits
Casinos may restrict or bar counters. Errors, fatigue, and scrutiny can erase any edge. Counting requires discipline, practice, and a bankroll that can handle variance.
These are expert techniques.
Shuffle tracking follows clumps of cards through the shuffle
Hole carding relies on catching glimpses of the dealer’s hole card in rare conditions
They require ideal conditions and strong table awareness. Most casual players do not need these methods.
Systems such as Martingale, Paroli, and 1-3-2-6 change bet sizes but do not change expected value.
Martingale doubles after losses and risks large drawdowns
Paroli presses after wins and is safer but does not reduce the house edge
1-3-2-6 uses a conservative progression to manage streaks
Use any system only as a structure for discipline, not as a promise of profit.
Even perfect decisions will not help if you mismanage your bankroll.
Decide your total session bankroll and never exceed it. Use small bet units, such as 1 to 5 percent of your bankroll per hand, to protect against swings.
Bet the same amount each hand. It is simple, stable, and reduces the chance of ruin.
Bet a fixed percentage of your current bankroll so the stake adjusts as your bankroll moves up or down.
If your bet size is too large relative to your bankroll you risk going bust quickly. Smaller units extend your time at the table and reduce volatility.
Stick to your plan. Avoid chasing losses. Do not increase bet sizes without a strategic reason. Emotional decisions destroy value.
Avoid these pitfalls and you will keep more of your bankroll over time.
Taking insurance as a default
Playing 6 to 5 blackjack tables instead of 3 to 2
Ignoring soft hands or misplaying pairs
Chasing losses with bigger bets
Using the wrong strategy chart for your rules
Failing to adjust to S17 vs H17
Believing a betting system can change the house edge
Review your sessions and track repeated errors so you can correct them.
Improve faster with practice tools.
Blackjack strategy trainer for instant feedback
Interactive blackjack calculator to test rule sets and see edge changes
Printable strategy charts for different rules and deck counts
Odds tables and house edge comparisons to choose better games
What is the best blackjack strategy?
Use a correct basic strategy chart that matches your rules, play consistently, and if you play live games consider learning entry level counting skills.
Is there a system that guarantees wins?
No. Betting systems cannot change the house edge. Card counting can shift the odds in live games but still involves risk and variance.
Does strategy differ online?
Basic strategy is the same for fair games. Many online versions use rules that are less favourable, and continuous shuffling or RNG dealing prevents counting.
Is card counting legal?
Counting is legal in many places because it uses observation, not devices. Casinos can still refuse service or remove players at their discretion.
Do I have to memorise a chart?
It helps a lot for live play. Online you can refer to a chart, but memorising the core moves speeds up decisions and reduces mistakes.
Should I always split pairs?
No. Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 5s or 10s. Other pairs depend on the dealer upcard and your game rules.
Strategy is your strongest tool in blackjack. By learning basic strategy, managing your bankroll, and progressing carefully into advanced concepts, you replace guesswork with informed choices. Start now by downloading a strategy chart, practising with a trainer, and revisiting the Learn Blackjack guide for a refresher. When you are ready, review our top online blackjack sites and choose a table with fair rules.
Wizard of Odds. Blackjack Rule Variations
Wikipedia. Blackjack
Bicycle Cards. How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack-Trainer. How to Play Blackjack
UK Gambling Commission. Safer Gambling and Consumer Guidance
Books for deeper study: Edward O. Thorp, Beat the Dealer; Stanford Wong, Professional Blackjack; Peter Griffin, The Theory of Blackjack
Blog post excerpt [1-2 lines]. This text is automatically pulled from your existing blog post.
Blog post excerpt [1-2 lines]. This text is automatically pulled from your existing blog post.
Blog post excerpt [1-2 lines]. This text is automatically pulled from your existing blog post.
