What is blackjack basic strategy?

When should you hit or stand on a hard hand?

A hard hand has no ace counted as 11. For four to eight decks with the dealer standing on soft 17:

• Hit 11 or less, unless the doubling rules below apply.
• With 12, stand if the dealer shows 4, 5 or 6. Otherwise hit.
• With 13 to 16, stand if the dealer shows 2 to 6. Otherwise hit.
• Always stand on 17 or more.

When should you double down?

Doubling means doubling your bet and taking exactly one more card. On a hard total:

• Double 9 against a dealer 3 to 6.
• Double 10 against anything except a dealer 10 or ace.
• Double 11 against anything except a dealer ace.

If the table does not allow doubling on that total, hit instead.

How do you play soft hands?

A soft hand has an ace counted as 11, so one more card cannot bust you:

• Double soft 13 or 14 against a dealer 5 or 6.
• Double soft 15 or 16 against a dealer 4 to 6.
• Double soft 17 or 18 against a dealer 3 to 6.
• Otherwise, hit any soft total of 17 or below.
• Stand on soft 18, but hit it against a dealer 9, 10 or ace.
• Stand on soft 19 or more.

When should you split pairs?

Split pairs as follows, assuming the table lets you double after splitting:

• Always split aces and eights.
• Never split fives or tens. Play fives as a hard 10.
• Split twos and threes against a dealer 2 to 7.
• Split fours only against a dealer 5 or 6.
• Split sixes against a dealer 2 to 6.
• Split sevens against a dealer 2 to 7.
• Split nines against a dealer 2 to 6, 8 or 9. Stand against a 7, 10 or ace.

When should you surrender?

Where late surrender is offered, give up half your bet with a hard 16 against a dealer 9, 10 or ace, but split a pair of eights instead. Surrender a hard 15 against a dealer 10.

Should you take insurance?

No. Wizard of Odds advises never taking insurance or "even money." Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, and it costs more than it returns over time.

Does the strategy change with the rules?

Yes, a little. Single-deck games, a dealer who hits soft 17 or no doubling after a split each change some decisions. Use a chart for your exact rules. The rules also change the house edge: a 6:5 blackjack payout adds about 1.39%, more than most strategy mistakes. See online blackjack rules.