Blackjack basic strategy is a maths-driven approach that helps you decide the best move for every hand, based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard. It’s been refined over decades using large-scale simulations and sets out when to hit, stand, double down, split pairs or surrender, with small adjustments for European blackjack where the dealer takes their second card after players act. Used properly, blackjack basic strategy can bring the house edge down to around 0.5% in favourable games, such as those with 3:2 payouts and a dealer standing on soft 17. It won’t remove the house edge entirely, though, so it’s best treated as a way to play more consistently rather than a way to guarantee results.
A basic strategy chart is a quick reference that helps you decide what to do with each hand, covering hard totals, soft hands and pairs. It’s there to guide your choices rather than leaving everything down to instinct in live blackjack games. For instance, a hard 16 against a dealer 10 is never a comfortable spot, but the chart will usually point you towards hitting (or surrendering where that option exists).
Below is an example of a basic strategy chart.
Core Concepts: Hard Hands, Soft Hands, and Pairs
Before looking at any blackjack chart, recognise which hand type you’re holding:
- A hard total means any ace counts as 1 (or there’s no ace). Example: 10-6 equals hard 16.
- A soft total means an ace valued at 11 without busting. Example: A-7 equals soft 18.
- Pairs like 8-8 or 9-9 get separate hands treatment because splitting is often the optimal move.
Knowing your hand category is essential before making basic strategy decisions.
How a Basic Strategy Chart Works
A European blackjack strategy chart like the one displayed in this article, lays things out in a simple grid, with your hand running down the side and the dealer’s upcard (2 through Ace) across the top. Each box shows the suggested action for that situation, such as hit, stand, double, split or surrender where it’s available.
As a general example, a total of 10 is usually doubled against lower dealer cards but played more cautiously against a 10 or Ace. With a soft 18, the decision can shift depending on the dealer’s card, sometimes favouring a stand, other times a double, or even a hit in tougher spots. The exact guidance can vary slightly depending on the rules in play, such as the number of decks used or whether surrender is offered in that version of European blackjack.
Key Basic Strategy Rules You Should Memorise First
Hard Totals
When you’re playing hard totals, the general rule is to stand on 17 or more. With 12, the decision depends on the dealer’s card. You should hit against 2 or 3, but stand when they show 4, 5 or 6. A hard 16 is one of the more difficult hands. Against stronger dealer cards from 7 through Ace, you will usually hit. If surrender is available, some players choose that option against 9, 10 or Ace to reduce risk.
Soft Totals
Soft hands are played slightly differently. With soft 13 to 17, doubling against a dealer 5 or 6 can be a useful option when allowed. Soft 18 needs a bit more care. You may double against 3 to 6, stand against 2, 7 or 8, and hit if the dealer shows 9, 10 or Ace.
Pairs
For pairs, aces and 8s are commonly split, while 5s and 10 value cards are usually kept together. Smaller pairs like 2s and 3s can be split against weaker dealer cards, and 9s are often split in certain spots but kept as 18 against a 7.
Conclusion
This guide to blackjack basic strategy is deliberately kept simple, focusing only on the key plays you actually need. Rather than overloading you with detail, it gives you a clear foundation to work from. From here, it’s up to you whether you keep the chart nearby while playing or commit it to memory so your decisions become second nature over time.
Just keep in mind that no strategy changes the fact that blackjack is a game based on chance.
