Blackjack is a casino game where strategy plays a crucial role. If you’re tired of winging it at the table and walking away empty-handed, then you should read our guide to this classic card game designed specifically for the casual player.
Key Beats
- We walk you through the basics of when to split, double down, hit, or stay, as well as the differences between single- and multi-deck play, along with advanced tips guaranteed to help you ace it at the blackjack table.
- We break down single-deck and multi-deck blackjack strategies into easy-to-follow sections for hard hands, soft hands, and pairs.
- You will find real-world scenarios, pro tips, and strategy FAQs. Gain the confidence to play smarter and get the optimal house edge, whether you’re online or at the casino.
Basic Blackjack Strategy Charts
You wouldn’t bring a knife to a gun fight. If you’re playing blackjack, give yourself the best possible chance of success by playing the perfect game.
To make the most of the chart below, you’ll need to know what each move actually means. Here’s a quick refresher on these blackjack actions:
- Hit – Take another card.
- Stand – Keep your total, no more cards.
- Double – Double your bet and take one more card.
- Split – Divide your pair into two hands, with a new bet.
Not sure what to do when the dealer is showing a 6, and you’ve got soft 17? No problem, this blackjack strategy chart has the answer.
Hard Hands (No Ace or Ace counts as 1)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 8 or less | Any | Hit |
| 9 | 3–6 | Double (Hit if not allowed) |
| 10 | 2–9 | Double |
| 11 | 2–10 | Double |
| 12 | 2–3 | Hit |
| 12 | 4–6 | Stand |
| 13–16 | 2–6 | Stand |
| 13–16 | 7–A | Hit |
| 17+ | Any | Stand |
Soft Hands (Contains an Ace counted as 11)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| A-2 or A-3 | 5–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| A-4 or A-5 | 4–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| A-6 | 3–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| A-7 | 3–6 | Double / Stand |
| A-8 or A, -9 | Any | Stand |
Pairs (When You’re Dealt Two of the Same Card)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2 or 3-3 | 2–7 | Split |
| 4-4 | 5–6 | Split |
| 5-5 | Never Split | Treat as 10 (Double) |
| 6-6 | 2–6 | Split |
| 7-7 | 2–7 | Split |
| 8-8 | Always Split | Split |
| 9-9 | 2–6, 8–9 | Split |
| 10-10 | Never Split | Stand |
| A-A | Always Split | Split |
Some casinos allow you to hit only on certain hands: normally 9, 10, 11, or hands with an ace. If you can’t double down, take a hit.
Single Deck Blackjack Strategy Chart
If you are lucky enough to find a casino willing to offer players single-deck blackjack, you are already on to a winner.
Single-deck blackjack offers the best possible player odds. However, the game comes with some strategic shifts. Specific plays, like doubling down on lower totals, or taking insurance become more favourable.
Here’s a single-deck blackjack strategy chart, broken down by hard hands, soft hands, and pairs, with a couple of key differences from multi-deck play.
Hard Hands (Single Deck)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 8 or less | Any | Hit |
| 9 | 3–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| 10 | 2–9 | Double |
| 11 | 2–10 | Double |
| 12 | 4–6 | Stand |
| 12 | 2–3 / 7–A | Hit |
| 13–16 | 2–6 | Stand |
| 13–16 | 7–A | Hit |
| 17+ | Any | Stand |
Soft Hands (Single Deck)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| A-2 or A-3 | 5–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| A-4 or A-5 | 4–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| A-6 | 3–6 | Double (Hit otherwise) |
| A-7 | 3–6 | Double / Stand |
| A-8 or A-9 | Any | Stand |
Pairs (Single Deck)
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Upcard | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2 or 3-3 | 4–7 | Split |
| 4-4 | 5–6 | Split |
| 5-5 | Never Split | Double (Treat as 10) |
| 6-6 | 2–6 | Split |
| 7-7 | 2–7 | Split |
| 8-8 | Always Split | Split |
| 9-9 | 2–6, 8–9 | Split |
| 10-10 | Never Split | Stand |
| A-A | Always Split | Split |
Pro Tip: Following a basic strategy blackjack chart does not guarantee wins. However, it will reduce the house edge to its bare minimum, helping you make decisions with confidence.
5 Expert Tips for Playing Online Blackjack
Don’t forget these basic tips, as you are busy mastering blackjack strategy. Thoughtful money and mood management are both essential ingredients if you want to play like a pro at online blackjack casinos.
Start with the Basic Strategy Chart
Obvious, maybe – but essential: If you want to learn strategy, you’ll need to begin with a basic blackjack strategy chart for multi-deck games. This should cover most online blackjack tables and most scenarios, helping you make statistically sound decisions for every hand.
Keep it printed or open in another tab while you play.
Focus on the Most Common Hands First
Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to learn everything at once. Instead, focus on these high-frequency situations:
- What to do with a hard 16 vs dealer 10 (spoiler: hit)
- When to double down with 10 or 11
- Always split 8s and Aces
- Never split 10s
Getting these right already puts you ahead of most average players.
Use Blackjack Trainer Apps
There are plenty of free apps and websites where you can practice blackjack strategy in a no-pressure setting. These tools often correct your mistakes in real time. You learn on the fly – a great way to remember your decisions.
Read a Blackjack Book (When You’re Ready)
Once you’re confident with basic strategy, you might want to level up. Books like Beat the Dealer by Edward O. Thorp or Blackjack Blueprint by Rick Blaine explore advanced tactics like card counting, betting patterns, and how blackjack rules affect house edge.
Practice – But Don’t Rush It
Like anything skill-based, strategy takes repetition. Play slowly at first, check your decisions, and review your hands afterward. If you’re playing online, take advantage of practice or demo modes before parting with real money.
That said, if you’re just playing for entertainment, it’s okay to go with the flow. Just know your odds are better when you stick to a strategy and play responsibly.
FAQs
Start with a basic strategy chart and practice regularly. Use blackjack trainer apps or play free online games to build muscle memory.
The best strategy is basic blackjack strategy: a mathematically proven system that tells you the best move based on your hand and the dealer’s card.
It’s a betting system where you increase your bets in a 1-3-2-6 unit pattern after each win. It’s a way to manage streaks, not a guaranteed win method.
The ’13 rule’ isn’t an official term, but some use it to refer to always hitting on 13 against a dealer 7 or higher – based on basic strategy.
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Blackjack is a casino game where strategy plays a crucial role. If you’re tired of winging it at the table and walking away empty-handed, then you should read our guide to this classic card game designed specifically for the casual player. Basic Blackjack Strategy Charts You wouldn’t bring a knife to a gun fight. If
The post Blackjack Strategy for Casual Online Players appeared first on CasinoBeats.