Basic Blackjack Strategy

Mathematically Proven Ways to Lower the House Edge

Understanding Basic Strategy

Blackjack is not just a game of chance; it's a game of skill. By using basic strategy, you can reduce the house edge to less than 1%. The decisions you make based on your cards and the dealer's upcard significantly impact your long-term results.

This chart assumes standard rules: Dealer stands on Soft 17, Blackjack pays 3:2, and No Surrender.

The Strategy Chart

Find your hand total on the left, and the dealer's upcard on the top. The intersection tells you the best move.

Your Hand	Dealer's Upcard
Your Hand	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
17-21	STAND
13-16	STAND					HIT
12	HIT		STAND			HIT
11	DOUBLE
10	DOUBLE								HIT
9	HIT	DOUBLE				HIT
5-8	HIT

HIT

STAND

DOUBLE

Key Principles

When to Hit?

You generally want to hit when your hand value is low (11 or less) or when the dealer shows a strong upcard (7, 8, 9, 10, A). The goal is to improve your hand without busting.

When to Stand?

Stand when you have a "stiff hand" (12-16) and the dealer has a weak upcard (2-6). The dealer is likely to bust, so let them take the risk. Always stand on Hard 17 or higher.

Card Counting (Advanced)

Card counting involves tracking the ratio of high cards to low cards remaining in the deck. While not illegal, casinos discourage it. Our simulator uses a fresh deck every round, so counting is not effective here, purely for educational purposes.