Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart
Basic-strategy lookup chart for blackjack (S17, no surrender).
Overview
The Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart shows the mathematically optimal action — hit, stand, double, split, or surrender — for every combination of your starting two cards against the dealer's upcard. The chart assumes the standard American rules used in most casinos: six decks, dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), double after split allowed, no late surrender, and blackjack pays 3:2.
Basic strategy isn't a winning system — the house still keeps a small edge — but following it religiously reduces that edge to roughly half a percent, the lowest of any game on the casino floor. Deviating from the chart even on individual hands gives that edge back, which is why the chart is the foundation that every card-counting system layers on top of.
How it works
Each cell in the chart was derived by computing the expected value of every legal action given the player's hand total and the dealer's upcard, marginalising over the unseen cards in a six-deck shoe. The action with the highest expected value becomes the chart's recommendation for that cell.
Hard totals (no usable ace), soft totals (one ace counted as 11), and pair splits are charted separately because each has different math. For example, a hard 16 versus a dealer 10 is the worst spot in blackjack — neither hitting nor standing wins on balance — but hitting loses slightly less, which is why the chart prescribes hit. The chart bakes in those infinitesimal edges so the player doesn't have to recompute them at the table.
Examples
- Hard 11 versus dealer 6: double down. You're a strong favourite with one card on a weak dealer upcard, so doubling your bet captures more value.
- Pair of 8s versus dealer 10: split. Sitting on hard 16 is awful; splitting into two hands starting with 8 each is the lesser evil.
- Soft 18 (Ace + 7) versus dealer 9: hit. Standing loses to any dealer 19+, and the soft total means you can't bust.
- Hard 12 versus dealer 4: stand. The dealer is more likely to bust than you are to improve.
FAQ
Does basic strategy guarantee I'll win?
No. It minimises the house edge — over many hours of play it slows your bankroll loss to under one percent of total bet.
Why is the chart different for soft and hard totals?
A soft hand has an ace that can flip from 11 to 1, so you can never bust on the next card. That asymmetry changes the optimal action.
Does dealer hits soft 17 change the chart?
Yes, slightly. H17 charts have a few extra doubles and surrenders against dealer ace and 11.
Do single-deck charts differ?
Single-deck removes some doubles and adds others. The vast majority of cells are unchanged.
Should I deviate when I have a hunch?
No. Every deviation gives back expected value. Stick to the chart.