Blackjack has a lower house edge than almost any other casino game, but only if you play your hands the right way. That “right way” is called basic strategy: the mathematically best move for every combination of your hand and the dealer’s upcard. It looks like a wall of numbers at first, but it boils down to a handful of rules you can learn in one sitting.
The one idea behind everything
The dealer has no choices. They must hit until they reach 17 or more. So the most important card on the table is the dealer’s upcard, because it tells you how likely the dealer is to bust.
- Dealer shows 2 through 6: a weak card. The dealer will often have to hit a stiff hand (12–16) and bust. Play safe and let them.
- Dealer shows 7 through Ace: a strong card. Assume the hidden card is a 10. The dealer will usually finish with 17 or more, so you need to improve your hand.
Almost every rule below is this idea applied to a specific hand.
Hard hands (no Ace, or an Ace that must count as 1)
- 8 or less: Always hit.
- 9: Double down against a dealer 3–6. Otherwise hit.
- 10: Double down against a dealer 2–9. Otherwise hit.
- 11: Double down against everything except an Ace. Against an Ace, hit (some games say double; either is close).
- 12: Stand against a dealer 4–6. Otherwise hit.
- 13 to 16: Stand against a dealer 2–6. Otherwise hit.
- 17 or more: Always stand.
The hand players hate most is 16 against a dealer 10. It feels wrong to hit, but standing loses more often. Hit it.
Soft hands (an Ace counted as 11)
A soft hand can’t bust on the next card, so you can be more aggressive.
- Soft 13–14 (A-2, A-3): Double against a dealer 5–6. Otherwise hit.
- Soft 15–16 (A-4, A-5): Double against a dealer 4–6. Otherwise hit.
- Soft 17 (A-6): Double against a dealer 3–6. Otherwise hit. Never stand on soft 17.
- Soft 18 (A-7): Double against a dealer 3–6, stand against 2, 7 or 8, and hit against 9, 10 or Ace.
- Soft 19 or more: Stand.
If doubling isn’t allowed, hit where the rule says double, except soft 18, which you stand.
Pairs: when to split
- Always split Aces and 8s. Two Aces give you two shots at 21. A pair of 8s is 16, the worst hand in the game, while two hands starting with 8 are much better.
- Never split 10s or 5s. 20 is a winning hand, and a pair of 5s is a 10, which you’d rather double.
- 2s, 3s and 7s: Split against a dealer 2–7. Otherwise hit.
- 6s: Split against a dealer 2–6. Otherwise hit.
- 4s: Split only against a dealer 5–6 (if you can double after splitting). Otherwise hit.
- 9s: Split against a dealer 2–9, except 7. Stand against 7, 10 and Ace.
Bets to skip
- Insurance. When the dealer shows an Ace, you’ll be offered insurance. It’s a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, and over time it loses. Decline it, even with a blackjack of your own (“even money” is the same bet in disguise).
- Side bets in general. Perfect pairs, 21+3 and similar bets carry a much higher house edge than the main game.
A few hands to test yourself
- You have 12, the dealer shows 3. Hit. 12 only stands against 4–6.
- You have A-7, the dealer shows 9. Hit. Soft 18 isn’t strong enough against a 9.
- You have 8-8, the dealer shows 10. Split. Two hands starting with 8 lose less than one 16.
- You have 11, the dealer shows 6. Double down. This is one of the best spots in the game.
A word on the odds
Basic strategy doesn’t beat the house, and it doesn’t change the result of any single hand. What it does is make every decision the best one available. With a typical six-deck game, perfect basic strategy cuts the house edge to around 0.5%, compared with 2% or more for players who play by gut feel. Exact rules vary from table to table (how many decks, whether the dealer hits soft 17, when you can double), which can shift a few borderline plays. The rules above are the standard ones and are correct or very close in almost any game.
Like any casino game, set a budget before you start and treat it as entertainment, not income.
Practice in Orbit Casino
The fastest way to make basic strategy automatic is to play a lot of hands with nothing on the line. Orbit Casino for iPhone and iPad includes Blackjack alongside Baccarat, Roulette, Hilo, six themed slots and 11 Orbit Originals. It’s all play money, so you can drill the tough spots, like 16 against a 10, until they feel natural.
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Frequently asked questions
What is blackjack basic strategy?
Basic strategy is the mathematically best decision (hit, stand, double down or split) for every combination of your hand and the dealer’s upcard. It lowers the house edge to around 0.5% in a typical game.
Should I ever take insurance in blackjack?
No. Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, and it loses money over time, even when you have blackjack yourself.
Should you always split 8s in blackjack?
Yes. A pair of 8s totals 16, the weakest hand in blackjack. Splitting gives you two hands that each start with 8, which lose less over time.
Where can I practice blackjack for free?
Orbit Casino and Video Blackjack for iPhone and iPad let you play blackjack with play money that has no cash value.
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