Blackjack basic strategy: the complete chart, explained

The rules this chart assumes

Basic strategy depends on the rules. This chart is for the most common Las Vegas setup, which is also the rule set in House Edge Casino's blackjack table:

• Six decks
• Dealer hits soft 17
• Blackjack pays 3 to 2
• Double on any two cards, including after a split
• Split any pair of 10-value cards; split aces receive one card each
• Dealer peeks for blackjack

How to read the chart

Find your hand in the left column and the dealer's up card across the top. The letter where they meet is the play.

Hard totals (no ace, or an ace counted as 1)

Why: With 12 through 16 you are in the danger zone: hitting risks a bust, standing hopes the dealer busts. Against a dealer 2 through 6 the dealer busts often enough that standing wins more. Against 7 or higher the dealer usually makes a hand, so you must hit and take your chances. The one exception, hitting 12 against a 2 or 3, is because those cards bust the dealer less often than people assume.

Doubling 10 and 11 is the highest expected-value play in the game. You have a strong chance of landing a 20 or 21 with one card, and you want as much money out as possible when the odds favor you.

Soft totals (an ace counted as 11)

Why: A soft hand cannot bust on the next card, which makes it the ideal time to be aggressive. Double soft 13 through 18 against the dealer's weakest cards (4, 5, 6) because you get extra money down while the dealer is most likely to bust. Soft 18 is the trickiest hand in blackjack: it doubles against 2 through 6, stands against 7 and 8, and hits against 9, 10, and ace because 18 simply is not good enough against a strong dealer card.

Pairs

Always split aces and eights. Two aces make a 12 or 2, both poor; split, and each ace starts a strong hand. Sixteen is the worst total in the game; two eights become two hands starting at 8. Never split tens: 20 is a near-certain winner and breaking it up throws away expected value. Never split fives: 10 is a doubling hand, not two weak hands.

Insurance and side bets

When the dealer shows an ace you will be offered insurance. Decline it. It is a bet that the dealer's hole card is a ten, and the payout of 2 to 1 is worse than the true odds, giving the house an edge above 7%. The same logic applies to nearly every side bet on the table.

How to actually learn it

1. Start with the rules of thumb: split aces and eights, never split tens or fives, double 11, stand on hard 17+, hit soft 17 or lower.
2. Add the 12 through 16 rule: stand against 2 through 6, hit against 7 through ace (with the 12 vs 2 or 3 exception).
3. Practice with hints on. In House Edge Casino, set Learn Mode to Hints. The app flags any play that deviates from this chart and explains the correct one.
4. Chase a perfect-move streak. The flame counter tracks consecutive optimal decisions. When you can go fifty hands without a hint, turn Learn Mode off and play a straight game.