The Basic Blackjack Strategy Explained

Basic blackjack strategy is a system of playing blackjack using a chart that tells you precisely how to play any hand you might be dealt against any dealer’s card. It’s an established way of playing blackjack that most experienced players will agree is the best way to approach the game.

This in-depth blackjack guide will introduce you to this popular strategy and teach you how to read a basic blackjack strategy chart so you can easily apply it in practice. We’ll also provide expert tips to help you memorise the strategy and improve your decision-making in any blackjack game.

Edward Thorp System: Where It All Started

The origins of blackjack basic strategy can be traced to the 1962 book Beat The Dealer by Edward Thorp.This book changed how blackjack is played and was revolutionary in the way it approached the game. Thorp invented the first card counting system, a revolutionary way of playing blackjack that can help you reduce the house edge.

Nowadays, card counting isn’t a widely used strategy because it’s difficult to apply when playing online blackjack. Blackjack counting cards with multiple decks in use is also more complicated, which is why most players turn to standard blackjack strategy.

This strategy was first introduced by a group of mathematicians known as the Four Horseman of Aberdeen. They published a paper titled The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack in 1956,which became the basis for the basic strategy blackjack charts many players use today.

Edward Thorp used the calculations in this paper and verified their strategy in his best-selling book. Today, blackjack charts are considered the best way to approach blackjack and are effective for any blackjack game.

It can easily be applied to a single deck game, an online one, or a real blackjack table in a casino in Ireland. The basic strategy blackjack odds are significantly higher than playing blackjack with no strategy.

How to Learn Blackjack Basic Strategy?

One proven way to become a skilled blackjack player is to master basic strategy. As we’ve established above, this system is the best way to play the game because it tells you the correct move for every possible hand you can be dealt. These charts also tell you how to play each hand depending on what the dealer has, which is what makes it effective.

The best way to learn basic blackjack strategy is to download a basic strategy chart and start practising. We suggest playing free blackjack or using an online blackjack trainer to practice without financial risk. It takes time to master the strategy with 100% accuracy, so it’s better to practice without real money.

Remember, no strategy can eliminate the house edge in blackjack, and basic strategy is no exception. However, it will give you the best odds of beating the dealer.

Start with Great Knowledge of the Basic Blackjack Rules

Before practising basic strategy, ensure you have a solid understanding of the game’s rules. We’ve summarised these below:

1. The aim is to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 without exceeding this total.
2. You’ll be dealt two cards facing up after placing your initial bet.
3. The dealer also gets two cards, but one is dealt facing down.
4. You must decide whether you want to hit or stand. Depending on the specific rules of the variant, you might also be able to double, split, or surrender.
5. The dealer takes their turn once you’ve finished playing your hand, and the winner will be determined. The dealer stands on soft 17 in most games.

Understanding Blackjack Card Values

The second step in playing live online blackjack is to decide how to play your cards. You’ll need to know the card values used in blackjack to add up your two cards and determine your hand’s total value.

Blackjack card values are very easy to memorise because the colour or suit of the card is irrelevant in this game. Cards two to 10 are worth the same value, and picture cards are worth 10 points. These are the Jack, Queen, and King. The Ace is the only ‘special’ card in blackjack because it can count as one or 11, depending on the other card you’re holding.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Charts

With a solid understanding of the game’s rules, the steps, and the card values, you can move on to using a blackjack chart. Remember, some rule variations exist when playing different blackjack variants, but you can start with a basic blackjack strategy card that can be used for any standard blackjack table.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into further detail about using this chart, including spitting pairs or surrendering your cards.

Pair Splitting

The rules for splitting cards always vary from one blackjack game to another, depending on the rules of the version you chose. The general rules for splitting cards in standard blackjack allow you to split a pair up to three times. You should also be able to double down after splitting. However, you can only split Aces once.

If you’re dealt a pair and are unsure whether to split or play it as one hand, you can refer to the pair splitting blackjack hand guide below. Remember, a pair shouldn’t be split simply because the rules allow it. Always consult a blackjack basic strategy chart to give yourself the best odds.

Soft Totals

As we’ve explained earlier, the Ace card has a value of one or 11. Any hand comprising an Ace and any other card is called a soft hand.

For example, if you’re dealt an Ace and a six, this hand will have a value of seven or 17. If you hit and get an eight, the Ace will take a value of one, and your total will be 15. If the Ace counted as an 11, you would bust.

Soft totals should be played differently than hard totals because the Ace offers more flexible playing options. When using basic strategy, use a chart for soft totals like the one below.

Hard Totals

A hard total is any hand without an Ace. This means you can’t change the value of your hand if you hit, which gives you fewer playing options. Unlike soft totals, you’ll need to be more careful when playing a hard hand because you can’t rely on swapping the value of the Ace.

Check the ‘hard totals’ section in a basic strategy chart to play your cards correctly. This is usually the bottom half of the chart. Below, we’ve included a basic strategy blackjack card for hard totals against any dealer’s card.

Late Surrender

Late surrender may be available in your game, but it’s not always offered. Late surrender is usually offered when the dealer has an Ace or a card worth a 10, which means they might get blackjack. If you choose to surrender, you forfeit your cards, and half of your original bet will be refunded. The insurance bet will also be offered, but the basic blackjack strategy states you should avoid it.

If you’re playing a game allowing late surrender, it’s important to use the correct blackjack basic strategy chart with a surrender option. We’ve included an example card below.

How to Memorize the Blackjack Basic Strategy Charts?

Memorising a basic blackjack strategy chart will take time and extensive practice. Unfortunately, there’s no way to memorise it instantly without relying on a chart, but you can use the following steps to make it easier to remember.

• Start with the most essential rules that are easy to remember. For example, always split Aces and eights, and never split 10s or 5s. Rules which apply regardless of the dealer’s card are easier to remember.
• Split the chart into soft and hard totals and learn them separately.
• Play blackjack for free with a chart beside you. After several rounds, try to play without referring to it.
• Write down the rules and recite them multiple times a day.

Basic Blackjack Strategy Recap

As we explained above, it might be easier to memorise the strategy by listing the rules in simple phrases. A multi-coloured chart makes it harder to remember all the rules, so we’ve included the entire chart in a short list for splitting, soft hands, hard hands, and surrendering to help you learn the strategy faster.

Splits

• Always split Aces and 8s.
• Never split 10s or 5s.
• Split 9s if the dealer shows anything 2 through 6, 8, or 9; otherwise, stand.
• Split 7s if the dealer shows anything 2 through 7; otherwise, hit.
• Split 6s if the dealer has a low card (2-6).
• Split 4s against a dealer’s 5 or 6; otherwise, hit.
• Split 2s and 3s if the dealer’s card is 2 through 7; otherwise, hit.

Soft Totals

• Always stand on a soft 20.
• Double on soft 19 if the dealer shows a 6; otherwise, stand.
• Double on soft 18 (Ace, 7) if the dealer’s card is 2 through 6, hit if they have an Ace; otherwise, stand.
• Double on soft 17 against the dealer’s 3 through 6; otherwise, hit.
• Double on soft 16 and soft 15 against the dealer’s 4 through 6; otherwise, hit.
• Double on soft 14 and soft 13 ifthe dealer shows 5 or 6; otherwise, hit.

Hard Totals

• Always stand on a hard 17 or higher.
• Stand on hard 13 to 16 if the dealer has 2 through 6; otherwise, hit.
• Stands on hard 12 against the dealer’s 4, 5, or 6; otherwise, hit.
• Always double on a hard 11.
• Double on a hard 10 if the dealer’s card is 2 through 9; otherwise, hit.
• Double on a hard 9 if the dealer’s card is 3 through 9; otherwise, hit.
• Always hit on a hard 8.

Surrenders

If the surrender option is available, you should take it in the following scenarios:

• Surrender a 16 if the dealer shows 9 through Ace.
• Surrender a 15 if the dealer has a 10.

Frequently Asked Questions about Blackjack Basic Strategy