Blackjack basics

Blackjack basic strategy chart

Find your hand down the left side and the dealer card along the top. The letter where they meet is the play. Check pairs first, then soft hands, then hard totals.

These answers are for a 6 deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, and you can double on any two cards, including after a split.

Why

Basic strategy is the best play for every starting hand against every dealer card, worked out over millions of hands. It is not a feel for the game; it is the play that loses least or wins most each time.

This chart is for one set of rules: 6 decks, the dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, you can double on any two cards and after a split, and there is no surrender. A different rule changes a few cells.

The play against every dealer card

H is hit. S is stand. D is double, or hit if you cannot double. Ds is double, or stand if you cannot double. P is split. 10 means any 10, Jack, Queen or King.

Hard totals

Soft totals

Pairs

Never take insurance and never take even money.

Questions players ask

How do I read a blackjack strategy chart?

Find your hand on the left and the dealer card along the top. The letter where they meet is the play.

Does the chart change with different rules?

A few cells do. This chart is for 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed.

Should I ever take insurance?

No. Insurance loses over time. Decline it every time.

Related answers

• How to play blackjack
• Hard vs soft hands in blackjack
• When to double down in blackjack
• When to split in blackjack
• Should I take insurance in blackjack?
• Should I hit or stand on 12 to 16?
• Does blackjack basic strategy work?