Strategy
Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy, not simply chance. Unlike any other casino game, in Blackjack it’s possible to boost the odds in your favour by using certain playing and betting techniques.
Basic Strategy
Basic Blackjack strategy is a set of rules for different types of hands, which advise when to hit, stand, split or double down to maximize your chances of winning.
In Blackjack, the dealer is bound by the rules of play: The dealer must stand on 17, continue to draw if a hand is less than 17, and stand when the total is from 17 to 21.
Unlike the dealer, a player has the freedom to decide what to do with every hand. In order to increase the odds of winning, players can follow something called “basic strategy”.
Tip
If you learn basic strategy, you’ll always know the right move in Blackjack.
How basic strategy works
How to play a hard hand
In a hard hand, you have two cards, without an ace:
- With 8 or less, always hit
- With 9, double if the dealer has 3 through 6, if not, hit
- With 10, double if the dealer has 2 through 9, if not, hit
- With 11, double if the dealer has 2 through 10, hit if the dealer has an ace
- With 12, hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, stand if the dealer has 4 through 6, if not, hit
- With 13-16, stand if the dealer has 2 through 6, if not, hit
- With 17-21, always stand
How to play a soft hand
In a soft hand, you have two cards, including an ace:
- With ace-2 or ace 3, double if the dealer has 5 or 6, if not, hit
- With ace-4 or ace-5, double if the dealer has 4 through 6, if not, hit
- With ace-6, double if the dealer has 3 through6, if not, hit
- With ace-7, stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8. Double if the dealer has 3 through 6, if not, hit
- With ace-8 or ace-9, always stand
How to play pairs
Pairs are simply two cards of the same points value:
- With a pair of aces or 8s, always split
- With a pair of 2s or 3s, split if the dealer has 2 through7, if not, hit
- With a pair of 4s, split if the dealer has 5 or 6, if not, hit
- With a pair of 5s, double if the dealer has 2 through 9, if not, hit
- With a pair of 6s, split if the dealer has 2 through 6, if not, hit
- With a pair of 7s, split if the dealer has 2 through 7, if not, hit
- With a pair of 9s, split if the dealer has 2 through 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or ace
- With a pair of 10s, always stand
Doubling down
In blackjack, if you believe your hand has a good chance of beating the dealer, you can “double down” your bet.
To double down, you increase your bet by 100%. When you do, you are only allowed to take one more card to try and make a winning hand – no more.
When should you double down? With a hard hand of 8, 9, 10, and 11, and a soft hand of 13 (A-2) through 18 (A-7).
Splitting
In blackjack, if a player is dealt a pair of identically ranked initial cards, known as a pair, they are allowed to split them into separate hands.
If you split, you are dealt two more cards – one for each new hand – and you must also double your bet – one for each hand.
When do you split? The key rules are: with pairs, aces and eights, always split. With tens and fives, never split.
Cue Cards
While basic strategy is easy to learn, it can be difficult to remember. It's perfectly acceptable to use a basic strategy "cue" card while you play. Get the basic strategy card here.
Four Strategies to Avoid
Many players think there are other strategies that will help them beat the odds. Here’s the inside scoop.