Basic Blackjack Strategy

Basic strategy is a system devised to give the player the highest probability of winning without Card Counting or Shuffle Tracking. The “correct” basic strategy to use will depend on the number of decks used and the particular “house rules” that are in effect at that casino. The house edge that the casino has over a player who has perfected basic strategy is about 0.5% ( in a multi-deck game ). The advantage that the novice Blackjack player gives the casino is in excess of 2%.

Basic strategy charts can be based on card combinations or on the player’s total card values. The Card Combination basic strategy list includes all the possible 2 hand card combinations. For example, you may have a hand totalling 16. This could be made up of a 6 and a picture card (10) or 9 and 7 cards. Card composition can give the basic strategist a slight advantage in a single deck game however little advantage is gained in a multi-deck game. Total card value basic strategy does not take into account the card composition, it is only concerned with the total card value: the sum of the player’s cards.

The charts below are the card total basic strategy charts for the multi-deck game of Blackjack. The chart below is applicable to all 2, 4, 6 and 8 deck games. This also includes options for Surrender and Doubling on all two cards. For a printable version of the charts click here

Basic Strategy Key

Where there are two letters in a table cell choose the first playing decision if available, otherwise choose the second option. For example: If the player’s hand is 9 against a Dealers 5 Up-card. The play decision is D/H. If the playing conditions at the casino permit Doubling Down on 9, 10 and 11 then Double Down. Otherwise Hit the card.

Hard Totals

Dealer’s Up-Card

When analyzing the Hard Totals chart it is plain to see that when the Dealer has a high card, 7 through Ace, the player should keep hitting until his card total is between 17 and 21. This also implies that the player has a greater chance of exceeding 21 when the Dealer has a strong card. When the Dealer has a weak hand, 3 – 6, the player has a greater chance of the Dealer busting especially if he holds either the 5 or 6 cards. The 2 card has the potential to form a good hand for the Dealer as long as he does not draw two 10 value cards.

If Surrender is available then it should be taken when the player has 16 against the Dealer’s 9, 10 or Ace. If Surrender cannot be taken then the player should Hit.
Soft Totals

Dealer’s Up-card

The only play decision that needs to be remembered, if Doubling is not allowed, is when a player is dealt soft 18 (Ace-7). If the Dealer’s up-card is 9 or above the player should draw. If Doubling is permitted then the player should Double on the Dealer’s upcard of 5 through 6 with a soft hand from Ace-2 to Ace-7. Additionally, the player should Double on the Dealers 4 card when the player has a soft total of Ace-4 or Ace-5. Finally, if the Dealers upcard is 3, the player should Double with a soft total of 17 and 18.
Pairs

The following table includes all pair combinations that a player might receive

Dealer’s Up-card

In summary, never split 4s, 5s or tens. Always split Aces and 8s. The reason why we always split 8s is that the total card value is only 16. There is a better chance of winning overall by splitting and receiving an additional card on each hand. Split 2s and 3s when the Dealer’s up-card is between 4 and 7 otherwise draw. Split 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s when the Dealer’s up-card is between 2 and 6. Also, split 7s when the Dealer’s up-card is 7. Split 9s when the Dealer’s up-card is 2 to 6 as well as 8 or 9 and stand all other times.

Insurance

The Insurance bet can be made whenever the Dealer has an Ace as his up-card. Insurance may seem like a good bet, or even money bet, but it is a foolish bet because you have the potential to lose your Insurance and your original bet. The Ace is a very strong card in Blackjack. It can be used as both 1 or 11 which allows the player/Dealer to have a higher probability of attaining a good hand. If the Dealer does not have a Blackjack (“Natural”) then you still know that he has the potential of forming a good hand. Even if you have a Blackjack it is safer not to take Insurance when playing basic strategy.

Surrender

There are two types of surrender available to a player. Surrender is offered only on the players first two cards received. By surrendering you are forfeiting half of your original bet. Early surrender is when the Dealer asks the players if they wish to surrender before he checks his hand for a Blackjack. Early surrender should be taken when the Dealers upcard is an Ace against the players 5 – 7 or players hard total of 12 through 17. Also, hard 14 against the Dealers 10. The player may ask for Surrender and the player will receive half of his original bet even if the Dealer has a Blackjack. This rule is not very common is casinos becuase it offers a large advantage to the player.

Late Surrender is more common in Casinos. Late surrender, like early surrender, is offered only on the first two cards. However, if the Dealer has a Blackjack then the player will still lose his whole bet. Late Surrender should be taken when the Dealer’s up-card is 9 through Ace against hard 16 and 10 against the players hard 15.

Surrender is taken by saying to the Delaer “Surrender”. The Dealer will then take the players cards and remove half of the original bet.

Summary

Basic strategy is a system devised to give the player the highest probability of winning without card counting or shuffle tracking.

There are a number of basic strategy charts avaiable for the game of Blackjack. Each of these charts essentially follow the same principles. Some charts may have some variations to the one outlined above. These variations are slight and will not make a substantial difference in the long run. For example, if Doubling Down is allowed on any 2 cards than it is recommended that the player Doubles against the Dealer’s 5 and 6. However, some experts state that the player should Hit instead. The discrepancy is minor and makes little difference. Other such discrepancies include:
- Splitting 8s vs the Dealer’s Ace
- Hard 12 vs Dealer’s 12 or 13.
Overall, it is more important to master Basic Strategy than look for the perfect basic strategy chart. Spend the extra time sharpening your skills Card Counting!