BlackJack Strategies

Behind the game lies a very strict statistical odds calculation. From this perspective, there exists only one best action a player can take for each of the possible hands he receives versus each upcard the dealer has. This set of actions can be summarized in a table that is known as the Basic Strategy table. Every serious player must be very familiar with the basic strategy. A player playing perfect basic strategy is making the best of the house rules and can even gain a small advantage over the house (depending on the house rules).

The number of decks used in a game and the house rules have a small effect on the basic strategy.

The following table refers to house rules that allow doubling down on all hands excluding blackjack and up to four splits, the dealer must stand on a soft 17, each player gets one upcard and one downcard, eight decks per shoe.

Basic strategy for blackjack:

D=double; H=hit; S=stand; SP=split pairs
Top row is the dealer upcard, left column is the total hand of the player.

Always hit when your hand is below 9, if you don't have an ace.

Splitting pairs:

D=double; H=hit; S=stand; SP=split pairs

In Soft hands (hands with an ace):

D=double; H=hit; S=stand; SP=split pairs