Blackjack Strategy Chart
The complete basic strategy chart — the mathematically best play for every hand you can be dealt. Set it to your table's rules, print it, keep it in your pocket. Casinos allow it.
Find your hand on the left and the dealer's up-card across the top. The cell where they meet is the play: Hit, Stand, Double (else hit), Ds double (else stand), or sPlit.
Hard totals (no ace, or ace counted as 1)
Soft totals (ace counted as 11)
Pairs
The five rules that cover most of the chart
If you remember nothing else, these five lines handle the large majority of hands correctly:
- Always split aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s.
- Stand on hard 17 or more. Always — no exceptions.
- Double 11 against everything (vs ace too, when the dealer hits soft 17). Double 10 against 2–9.
- Stand on 12–16 only when the dealer shows 2–6 (the "bust cards"). Hit 12–16 against 7 through ace. One exception: hit 12 vs 2 and 3.
- Never take insurance. It loses about 7.7¢ per $1 in the long run.
Why these plays are correct
Every cell on this chart was derived from probability — not hunches. Two numbers drive almost everything:
- The dealer's bust chance. A dealer showing a 6 busts about 44% of the time; showing an ace, only about 20%. That's why you stand on a weak 14 against a 6 (let them bust) but must hit the same 14 against a 9. See the full dealer bust odds by up-card.
- Your expected value for each action. Doubling 11 vs 6 earns about +67¢ per $1 bet over time, versus +33¢ for just hitting — the chart picks the bigger number every time.
The H17/S17 toggle above matters because the dealer acting differently on soft 17 shifts the math in exactly three spots: 11 vs A, A-7 vs 2, and A-8 vs 6 become doubles when the dealer hits soft 17.
What basic strategy gets you
Played perfectly, basic strategy cuts the casino's edge to roughly 0.5% on a standard 6-deck game — meaning about 50¢ expected cost per $100 wagered. A typical guessing player gives up 2–4%. On a $25 table at normal speed, that's the difference between an expected ~$8/hour and ~$50/hour in losses. The chart doesn't make you the favorite — only card counting can do that — but it makes blackjack the cheapest entertainment in the casino.
Frequently asked questions
Does basic strategy really work?
Yes. It's the mathematically optimal play for every hand, derived from exact probabilities. It cuts the house edge to roughly 0.5% — the best odds of any common table game. It won't guarantee winning sessions, but every deviation costs you money over time.
Can I use a strategy card at the casino?
Yes — in almost all US casinos strategy cards are legal and openly sold in gift shops. Keep it at the table as long as you don't slow the game. Counting devices are illegal; a printed chart is not.
What's the difference between the H17 and S17 charts?
Exactly three cells: with H17 (dealer hits soft 17) you double 11 vs ace, soft 18 vs 2, and soft 19 vs 6. H17 is more common in US casinos and adds about 0.2% to the house edge. Read more in our soft 17 guide.
How long does it take to memorize?
A few focused hours for most people. Drill by category — hard totals, then soft hands, then pairs — using a trainer that corrects mistakes instantly. Reading a chart teaches recognition; playing hands builds recall.
Does the number of decks change the chart?
Slightly — single- and double-deck games shift a few cells. This chart is correct for 4, 6, and 8-deck games, which is what the vast majority of casinos deal.