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 May 30, 2026

Basic strategy is the mathematically perfect play for every blackjack hand. Memorize it and the house edge falls to about 0.5% — the lowest of any casino game. The charts below are for a standard 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and doubling after split is allowed.

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

The coach flags the correct basic-strategy move on every hand, so it sticks.

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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