Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

Q: What is blackjack basic strategy?

Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal decision for every blackjack hand based on your cards and the dealer's upcard. Following it lowers the house edge to about 0.5%, the best you can do without counting cards.

Q: Does basic strategy guarantee a win?

No. Basic strategy minimizes the house edge to roughly 0.5%, but the casino still has a small advantage. It guarantees you make the best possible decision every hand, not that you win every hand.

Q: Which pairs should I always split?

Always split Aces and 8s, and never split 10s or 5s. Splitting Aces gives two chances at 21; splitting 8s turns a weak 16 into two better hands.

By Felt Trainer Editorial · House edges computed from our open game engine · Last updated July 11, 2026

Basic strategy is the mathematically best play for every blackjack hand. The fixed reference below is for a 6-deck S17 game with double after split. Casino rules change a handful of cells, especially surrender decisions. Load the actual rules in the trainer for that table's chart.

H = Hit S = Stand D = Double (else hit) P = Split

Hard totals

Hands without an Ace, or where the Ace must count as 1. Columns are the dealer's upcard.

You	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
13–16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
5–8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H

Soft totals (hands with an Ace)

You	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,9 (20)	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A,8 (19)	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A,7 (18)	S	D	D	D	D	S	S	H	H	H
A,6 (17)	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,4–A,5 (15–16)	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
A,2–A,3 (13–14)	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H

Pairs (splitting)

You	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,A	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
10,10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9,9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
8,8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
7,7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
6,6	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5,5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
4,4	H	H	H	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
2,2–3,3	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H

The shortcuts worth memorizing first

Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s.
Stand on hard 17+. Stand on 12–16 vs a dealer 2–6; hit them vs 7–Ace.
Double hard 11 vs 2–10, hit vs an Ace. Double 10 unless the dealer shows 10 or Ace.
Never take insurance.

▶ Drill this chart free in the Blackjack Trainer

Choose the table rules first. The coach and chart then use that exact profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is blackjack basic strategy?

The mathematically optimal decision for every hand based on your cards and the dealer's upcard. Following it lowers the house edge to about 0.5%, the best you can do without counting cards.

Does basic strategy guarantee a win?

No. It minimizes the house edge to roughly 0.5%, but the casino still has a small advantage. It guarantees the best possible decision every hand, not a win every hand.

Should I ever take insurance?

No. Insurance is a side bet with about a 7% house edge. Basic strategy says never take it.

Which pairs should I always split?

Always split Aces and 8s; never split 10s or 5s.

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