Blackjack basic strategy chart

The complete, color-coded chart for when to hit, stand, double, and split — the optimal play for every hand. Standard rules: 4–8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17. Then drill it free in the trainer.

H HitS StandD DoubleP Split

Hard totals

vs →2345678910A
8HHHHHHHHHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
10DDDDDDDDHH
11DDDDDDDDDH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
16SSSSSHHHHH
17+SSSSSSSSSS

Soft totals (with an ace)

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A,2HHHDDHHHHH
A,3HHHDDHHHHH
A,4HHDDDHHHHH
A,5HHDDDHHHHH
A,6HDDDDHHHHH
A,7SDDDDSSHHH
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,9SSSSSSSSSS

Pairs (split?)

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2,2PPPPPPHHHH
3,3PPPPPPHHHH
4,4HHHPPHHHHH
5,5DDDDDDDDHH
6,6PPPPPHHHHH
7,7PPPPPPHHHH
8,8PPPPPPPPPP
9,9PPPPPSPPSS
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
A,APPPPPPPPPP

Frequently asked questions

What is blackjack basic strategy?
Basic strategy is the mathematically proven best play for every hand you can be dealt against every dealer upcard. Following it cuts the house edge to about half a percent — the lowest a player can get without counting cards.
Which rules does this chart assume?
The most common shoe game: 4–8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), and double after split allowed (DAS), no surrender. These are the standard rules in most casinos.
How do I memorize basic strategy?
Drill it. Reading the chart gets you started, but repetition makes it automatic — use the free trainer to play random hands and get instant feedback until the right play is second nature.