Blackjack gives you choices that directly affect your odds. Unlike slots or roulette where outcomes are entirely random, your decisions at the blackjack table matter. Playing strategically can reduce the house edge from around 2-4% down to 0.5% or less. But strategy doesn't mean you can beat the game long-term. The house always has a mathematical advantage. What strategy does is minimize that advantage, giving you the best chance possible within the game's structure. This guide explains basic blackjack strategy in simple terms. We'll cover the core principles, when to hit or stand, when to double or split, and common situations where players make mistakes. You don't need to memorize complex charts — understanding the reasoning behind these decisions is more important.
What Is Basic Strategy?
Basic strategy is a set of mathematically optimal decisions for every possible hand you can be dealt. It's based on computer simulations that have tested millions of hands to determine which action gives you the best expected outcome.
Important clarifications:- Basic strategy doesn't guarantee you'll win any specific hand - It's based on long-term probability across thousands of hands - It reduces the house edge to around 0.5% (compared to 2-4% for random play) - It doesn't involve counting cards or any technique casinos consider cheating Basic strategy changes slightly based on table rules (number of decks, whether the dealer hits soft 17, etc.), but the core principles remain consistent.
The Two Main Factors in Every Decision
Every decision you make at the blackjack table depends on two things:
1. Your hand totalWhether you have a hard hand (no Ace or Ace counting as 1) or soft hand (Ace counting as 11), and what that total is.
2. The dealer's upcardThe dealer's visible card tells you a lot about their likely outcome. Weak upcards (2-6) mean the dealer has a high chance of busting. Strong upcards (7-Ace) mean the dealer is likely to make a strong hand. Every strategy decision balances these two factors.
When to Hit or Stand: Core Guidelines
These are the foundation of basic strategy.
Standing Guidelines
Always stand on:- Hard 17 or higher (risk of busting is too high) - Hard 13-16 when dealer shows 2-6 (let the dealer bust) - Soft 19 or higher (already a strong hand)
Why stand on 16 vs dealer 6?When the dealer shows a 6, they're in a weak position. About 42% of the time, they'll bust. You stand because hitting gives you a high chance of busting yourself, while standing gives you a decent chance of winning when the dealer busts.
Hitting Guidelines
Always hit on:- Hard 11 or less (impossible to bust) - Hard 12-16 when dealer shows 7 or higher (dealer likely has strong hand) - Soft 17 or less (can't bust and need improvement)
Why hit on 16 vs dealer 10?When the dealer shows 10, they probably have 20. Your 16 almost certainly loses if you stand. Hitting gives you a chance to improve, even though you might bust. The math says hitting is less bad than standing in this situation.
When to Double Down
Doubling down means doubling your bet in exchange for receiving exactly one more card. You do this when the math heavily favors your position.
Standard doubling situations:- Hard 11 vs any dealer card (except sometimes Ace) - Hard 10 vs dealer 2-9 - Hard 9 vs dealer 3-6 - Soft 16-18 vs dealer 4-6
Example: Why double on 11 vs dealer 6?You have 11, which means any 10-value card gives you 21. You have a roughly 31% chance of drawing a 10. Meanwhile, the dealer shows 6 and is likely to bust. This is one of the strongest positions in blackjack, so you want to maximize your bet.
When NOT to double:- When you have 11 vs dealer Ace (dealer is too strong) - When you have hard 12 or higher (too much bust risk) - When your hand is already strong (like 19) For more on the math behind these decisions, see our [house edge in blackjack](#) guide.
When to Split Pairs
Splitting pairs creates two separate hands from two cards of the same value. You add a second bet and play each hand independently.
Always Split
Always split AcesTwo Aces give you 12 or 2 — both terrible hands. Splitting creates two hands starting with Ace, which have good chances of making 21 or strong totals.
Always split 8sTwo 8s give you 16, one of the worst hands in blackjack. Splitting creates two hands starting with 8, which are much more playable.
Never Split
Never split 10sYou already have 20, one of the best hands possible. Splitting breaks up a winning hand into two weaker ones.
Never split 5sTwo 5s give you 10, which is an excellent doubling hand. Splitting creates two weak hands starting with 5.
Never split 4sYou have 8, which is a decent starting total. Splitting creates two very weak hands.
Situational Splits
Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, 9s based on dealer upcard:- Split 2s, 3s, 7s vs dealer 2-7 - Split 6s vs dealer 2-6 - Split 9s vs dealer 2-6 and 8-9 (but not 7, 10, or Ace) These splits are based on complex probability calculations, but the general principle is: split when the dealer is weak and you can create two playable hands.
Soft Hands Strategy
Soft hands (hands with an Ace counted as 11) require different strategy because they can't bust on one hit.
General soft hand principles:- Soft 19 or higher: Always stand - Soft 18: Stand vs dealer 2-8, hit vs 9-Ace - Soft 17 or less: Always hit (sometimes double vs weak dealer cards)
Why hit soft 18 vs dealer 9?Soft 18 is not as strong as it feels. Against a dealer showing 9, 10, or Ace, you're likely behind. Since you can't bust, hitting gives you a chance to improve to 19-21.
Surrender Strategy
Surrender (when available) lets you forfeit half your bet and give up the hand. It's useful in very unfavorable situations.
When to surrender:- Hard 16 vs dealer 9, 10, or Ace - Hard 15 vs dealer 10 These are situations where you're likely to lose regardless of what you do. Surrendering cuts your loss in half compared to playing out a very bad hand. Not all casinos offer surrender, but when available, it's a valuable option in these specific scenarios.
Why You Can't "Beat" Blackjack Long-Term
Even with perfect basic strategy, the house maintains a small edge (around 0.5% in most games). This means over thousands of hands, you'll lose slightly more than you win.
What this means in practice:- You can win any individual session - You can have long winning or losing streaks - Over time, the house edge ensures the casino profits - Basic strategy maximizes your chances but doesn't eliminate the edge The only way to gain a mathematical advantage is through card counting, which requires significant skill, perfect execution, and is often prohibited or prevented by casino countermeasures. For most players, basic strategy is about playing as efficiently as possible while accepting that gambling has a cost.
Common Strategy Mistakes to Avoid
Taking insuranceInsurance is a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. The math doesn't favor this bet unless you're counting cards. Always decline insurance.
Playing hunches instead of strategy"I feel like the next card will be high" is not a valid reason to deviate from basic strategy. Feelings don't change probability.
Copying the dealer's strategyThe dealer hits on 16 and stands on 17. If you copy this, the house edge increases to around 5-6%. The dealer plays last, which gives them a huge advantage — you can bust before they even play.
Splitting 10sEven though it might feel exciting, splitting 10s turns a great hand into two average hands. Never do this.
Doubling on weak handsOnly double when the math supports it. Doubling on 12 or higher hard totals is a recipe for busting with a doubled bet. For more detail on these mistakes, see our guide on [common blackjack mistakes](#).
How to Learn Basic Strategy
You don't need to memorize everything at once. Here's a practical approach:
Step 1: Learn hard hand basicsStart with the simple rules: hit on 11 or less, stand on 17 or more, and understand the 12-16 decision based on dealer upcard.
Step 2: Add soft handsLearn how to play soft hands, especially soft 18 (which confuses many players).
Step 3: Add doublingLearn when to double on 9, 10, and 11.
Step 4: Add splittingMaster the "always split" and "never split" pairs first, then learn situational splits.
Step 5: PracticeUse free online blackjack games to practice without risking money. Many sites offer basic strategy hints while you play.