Blackjack Basic Strategy: A Simple Chart You Can Memorise

Reduce the house edge to under 0.5% by learning when to hit, stand, double and split.

Why Basic Strategy Works

Basic strategy is a mathematically derived set of rules that tells you the best play for every combination of your hand and the dealer's up-card. It was calculated by computer simulations of millions of hands.

Following it reduces the house edge on Blackjack Elite to under 0.5% - the lowest in the casino.

The Golden Rules

Always stand on hard 17 or higher. Always hit hard 8 or lower. Always split aces and eights. Never split tens or fives. Double on 11 against any dealer card except an Ace.

Never take insurance - it is a side bet with a high house edge.

Soft Hands and Pairs

Soft hands contain an ace counted as 11. Hit soft 17 or lower; stand on soft 19 or higher; double soft 16-18 against a dealer 4, 5 or 6.

Pairs are split depending on the dealer card - pairs of 2s, 3s and 7s are split against a dealer 2 through 7.

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