Blackjack offers the best odds of any casino game when played with proper strategy. By following basic strategy, you can reduce the house edge to just 0.5%.
The Basic Strategy Chart
Basic strategy tells you the mathematically optimal move for every hand combination. Here are the key rules:
Hard Hands
- Always hit on 8 or less
- Double on 11 against any dealer card except Ace
- Stand on 17 or higher
- Hit on 12-16 when dealer shows 7 or higher
Soft Hands
- Always double A-2 through A-7 when dealer shows 5-6
- Stand on A-8 and A-9
- Hit on soft 17 or less against dealer 7 or higher
Pair Splitting
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Never split 10s or 5s
- Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, 9s based on dealer upcard