BlackJack Strategy Chart

If a player plays according to the same rules as the dealer (that is, draws to 16 and stands on any total of 17 or greater), then, because the player plays first, the house edge is 8.9%. Given that the dealer must pay 3:2 on blackjack, the house edge is reduced to 5.9%. Using the blackjack basic strategy chart, the house edge is shaved down to almost zero!

The basic strategy chart will suggest the most efficient action to take when certain card totals appear. It gives you the choice to either stand, hit, double, or split.

For example, say you have a 7 and an 8 for a total of 15 and the dealer has a 6. It is your turn to make a decision. Using the blackjack strategy chart, look across the top row and find the dealer's total of 6, then run down the left-hand side to find your total of 15. In the middle of the chart, at the junction of the appropriate row and column, we find "S" for "stand". Do not take another card - choose to do nothing.

Player's total runs down the left-hand side and the dealer's one-card total is across the top.

Your Hand	Dealer's Face-up Card
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A8~A10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A7	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H
A2~A6	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
18~21	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
17	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	Rs
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	Rh	Rh	Rh
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	Rh	Rh
13~14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
5~8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H

Key:

H	Hit
S	Stand
Rh	suRrender if allowed, otherwise Hit.
Rs	suRrender if allowed, otherwise Stand.
D	Double

Blackjack Tip

Player Total 9

The dealer stands a better chance of not busting with a 2 than a 3, 4, 5 or 6. Remember, if you double you only receive one card. If it is not a 10-value card, you could be throwing good money after bad. Always double when your total is 9 versus a dealer 3, 4, 5 or 6. The dealer is most likely to lose with these first cards and you are well advised to capitalize on it. Take a card when the dealer has 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace.

Player Total 10

Double against all dealer cards except a dealer 10 or Ace. You are likely to end up with a total close to 20 - a very difficult hand for the dealer to beat.

Player Total 12

12 is probably the worst player total. You should take a card against dealer 2 or 3 and stand against dealer 4, 5 or 6. Against dealer 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace, you take a card because you have nothing to lose - the dealer is likely to beat you.

Player Total 13~16

Stand against dealer "high bust" totals of 2~6 and (like player 12 totals), you take a card against dealer 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace.

Player Total 17~21

Always stand against all dealer totals. You have a strong chance of winning and there is no need to tamper with it. The chances of improving these hands are low and of busting, high.