Blackjack strategy
Basic strategy guide for blackjack that explains how to play depending on your cards value and the dealer’s face up cards values.
- What should be your next action? H = Hit, S = Stand, D = Double, P = Split, R = Surrender
- Your hand (the player) is shown in range starting from 5 up to 17 plus
- Dealers face cards in range 2 to Ace (which can be 11 or 1 depending on the need)
- The infographic strategy guide has helpful color coding
Blackjack – your chance to win
Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges in the casino, with a theoretical return of around 99.5% if played properly. This means that if you know how to play Blackjack, you can expect to win a high percentage of your bets over the long term, compared to most other casino games. The skill ceiling is quite high and you can become better the more you play, unlike simpler and more relaxing games like slots. You will often find yourself thinking carefully about your next decision if you play correctly.
A standard winning hand pays 1:1. When you achieve a “Blackjack” (21 points on the player’s first two cards, without the dealer also having blackjack), you will usually be paid 3:2, although some tables pay 6:5, 7:5, or even 1:1. If you draw to 21 with more than two cards, that hand pays even money. For example, if you place 1 dollar/euro/pound on a hand and win, you get a total of 2 (your 1 stake plus 1 profit). With a Blackjack on a 3:2 table, you’d receive 2.5 in total. Read more below to learn how the game works; it’s a good idea to play a bit for fun before diving into the full rules.
A huge part of the house’s edge comes from the fact that you play second. Your wrong moves and “busts” help the casino win.
Basic blackjack rules
The game is simple, but also very intriguing and fun. Easy to learn hard to master.
Game flow: the player is given two starting cards and so is the dealer, but only one of the dealer’s cards is face up and visible. Much of the strategy revolves around the dealer’s face‑up card and your own initial total.
Game goal: To win in Blackjack, you need to have a total card value of 21. If the count goes to 22 and above, your hand loses. The same rules apply to the Dealer.
Card values
- Standard cards 2 to 10 have their value written on them. Not to complicated hey?
- All picture cards (Jack, Queen, King) count as 10.
- The Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, so if you have a hand of 8 and 9 and you hit and receive an Ace, you would have a total of 18 (counting the Ace as 1), because counting it as 11 would bust you. If your first two cards are 9 and Ace, you have 20, and even if you hit and receive a 10, the Ace will switch to 1 and your total will still be 20.
- Card suits and colors do not matter in Blackjack.
Deck count: Blackjack can be dealt from a single deck of 52 cards up to multiple decks (commonly up to 6 or 8 decks). I recommend games that use 4 to 6 decks.
You want to get as close to 21 as possible, but not above. If your total reaches 22 or more, you “bust” and automatically lose the hand. The same rule applies to the dealer. The main house edge comes from the fact that the dealer acts second and you can bust before the dealer even draws a card. For that reason, the strategy you’ll see below focuses on minimizing situations where you bust, and instead often lets the dealer draw and risk busting.
Player actions
Here are the main actions/buttons you will see at a Blackjack table:
- Stand
If you do not want any more cards and want to pass the turn to the dealer, you choose Stand. Typically, you stand on totals of 17 and above, depending on the dealer’s up‑card and the specific strategy. - Hit
“Hit me!” is the classic Blackjack phrase. Hit means you want another card to be dealt to your hand. Be careful not to draw too many cards and bust over 21. - Double (Double Down)
You can double your bet and take exactly one additional card. When you choose this option, you should be confident that you can win with a total of three cards, because you will not be allowed to draw again. Doubling is usually only allowed on your first two‑card hand, sometimes only on specific totals like 9, 10, or 11 depending on the casino rules. - Split
When you have two cards of equal value, such as 8‑8, you can split them into two separate hands. Your original bet is duplicated for the second hand, and the dealer gives you a new card to each hand. You then play each hand separately, hitting, standing, or sometimes doubling, subject to the rules. There are special rules around splitting Aces: often you receive only one extra card per Ace and may not be allowed to resplit them. Remember that, with the exception of Aces, basic strategy almost never recommends splitting tens (including 10, Jack, Queen, King), because a total of 20 is already very strong.
These are the standard actions. There are, however, some important rule variations and side bets that you need to check for each casino before you play. Always review the rules or “How to play” section in the game or on the website, and do not hesitate to contact support if you need clarification.
Side bets and key rule checks
Side bets: in general, avoid placing side bets. They usually carry a significantly higher house edge than the main game, meaning the casino earns more from them over time. If you find a progressive jackpot Blackjack game with a very large jackpot, it can be worth a small occasional side bet for fun, but always remember you are paying for entertainment and that the odds on side bets are worse than the main hand.
Rules to check on every new Blackjack game
Before you play at a new casino or on a new Blackjack variant, always check these rules, as they affect the house edge and your strategy:
- Number of decks
The number of decks typically varies from 1 to 8. Fewer decks are generally better for the player, all else being equal. Single‑deck Blackjack often has stricter rules or reduced promotions because the house edge can be lower. - Dealer hits or stands on soft 17
A “soft 17” is a total of 17 that includes an Ace counted as 11, for example Ace‑6. If the dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), this is better for the player. If the dealer hits on soft 17 (H17), the house edge increases. Look for games where the dealer stands on soft 17. - Resplits, resplit Aces, and hitting split Aces
Some games allow you to resplit pairs (for example, splitting 8‑8 into two hands and then splitting again if you receive another 8), while others limit this. Aces often have special restrictions: sometimes you can only receive one card to each Ace and cannot hit or resplit. Check the rules carefully, because more flexibility here is usually better for the player. - Surrender
Some games offer “surrender”, allowing you to give up your hand immediately and lose only half of your bet. This option is typically offered only after the dealer checks for Blackjack (late surrender), though some variants allow it before the check (early surrender). Correct use of surrender can slightly reduce the house edge. - Insurance
When the dealer’s up‑card is an Ace, you may be offered “insurance”, which is a side bet that the dealer has Blackjack. If the dealer has Blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1, but otherwise it loses. In most cases, insurance has a relatively high house edge and is not recommended unless you are counting cards. Just like side bets, I personally avoid using insurance or surrender for fun play and stick to the main strategy.
