Basic Blackjack Strategy

Lesson 1: Basic Strategy Intro The concept of basic blackjack strategy is to use the mathematics of probability to reduce the house edge to a minimum. If you employ basic blackjack strategy the house edge will be about one-half of a percent. Using basic blackjack strategy should always limit the house's advantage but it's effectiveness may vary depending on rule variations and the number of decks used. For example, you will have a greater advantage in a casino allows you to double down after a split than one that does not. The more decks used the higher the casino's advantage. This course explains the basic blackjack strategy based on four or more decks being used where the house stands on a soft 17. The strategy is broken down into three different sections; hard totals, soft totals, and pairs. The basic strategy will sometimes depend on the rule variations at your table. See the course Blackjack 180: Blackjack Cheat Sheet for a graphical representation of this course.

Lesson 2: Basic Blackjack Strategy For Hard Totals If you have a hard total of 8 or less:
Always hit. If you have a hard total of 9:
Hit if the dealer has an up card of 2,7,8,9,10 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 3,4,5 or 6 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have a hard total of 10:
Hit if the dealer has a 10 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 or 9 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have a hard total of 11:
Hit if the dealer has an Ace.
If the dealer has a 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10 the double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have a hard total of 12:
Hit if the dealer has a 2,3,7,8,9,10 or Ace.
Stand if the dealer has a 4,5 or 6. If you have a hard total of 13 or 14:
Stand if the dealer has a 2,3,4,5 or 6.
Hit if the dealer has a 7,8,9,10 or Ace. If you have a hard total of 15:
Stand if the dealer has a 2,3,4,5 or 6.
Hit if the dealer has a 7,8,9 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 10 then surrender if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have a hard total of 16:
Stand if the dealer has a 2,3,4,5 or 6.
Hit if the dealer has a 7 or 8.
If the dealer has a 9,10 or Ace then surrender if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have a hard total of 17 or higher:
Always stand.

Lesson 3: Basic Blackjack Strategy For Soft Totals If you have an Ace 2 or Ace 3 soft total:
Hit if the dealer has an up card of 2,3,4,7,8,9,10 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 5 or 6 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have an Ace 4 or Ace 5 soft total:
Hit if the dealer has a 2,3,7,8,9,10 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 4,5 or 6 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have an Ace 6 soft total:
Hit if the dealer has a 2,7,8,9,10 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 3,4,5 or 6 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise hit. If you have an Ace 7 soft total:
Stand if the dealer has a 2,7 or 8.
Hit if the dealer has a 9,10 or Ace.
If the dealer has a 3,4,5 or 6 then double down if you are allowed to do so, otherwise stand. If you have an Ace 8, Ace 9 or Ace 10 soft total:
Always stand.