Basic free internet Blackjack Strategy

Basic Blackjack Strategy

The basic blackjack strategy is the optimum way to play your hand if you are not counting cards. This strategy is derived by computer simulation where the computer deals out millions of hands, plays them in all possible ways, and then records and analyzes the results. The basic strategy is not based on guesswork or hunches. It is the mathematically correct way to play your hand against every dealer’s upcard.

What does the basic strategy get you? The casino‘s initial edge in the game of blackjack is about 5.75%, which includes the 3 to 2 payoff on player blackjacks. By employing the correct basic strategy plays it is possible to whittle down the casino’s edge to about 0.5%.

Initial casino’s edge 5.75%
Correct hitting and standing -3.25%
Correct doubling -1.5%
Correct pair splitting -0.5%
Casino’s edge with basic strategy 0.5%

Of course it’s possible to lower the casino’s edge to less than 0.5% by playing in games that have very favorable rules. One of the best blackjack games is offered at the Slots-A- Fun Casino in Las Vegas. Here they deal a single deck game with the dealer standing on soft 17 and double after pair splitting is allowed. A basic strategy player has in fact a slight edge against the casino (ca. 0.1%) in this game

The basic playing strategy is slightly dependent on the number of decks of cards. Thus the basic strategy for a single deck game is slightly different than a six deck game. For simplicity the table below summarizes the basic strategy rules that you can use for any number of decks.

To use the table, go across the top to find the dealer’s upcard and go down the first column and find your hand. Where the row and column intersect you’ll find the correct basic strategy play. The strategy assumes that doubling after pair splitting is allowed (see bottom of chart for deviations if doubling after pair splitting is not allowed).

Generic Basic Strategy

H=hit
S=stand
D=double down
P=pair split
Su=surrender
X/Y=Do X if allowed, otherwise do Y

Dealer Upcard

Player hand

	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
17	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	Su/H	Su/H	Su/H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	Su/H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
11	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	H
10	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	H	H
9	H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	H	H	H	H	H
8 or less	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 19	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Soft 18	S	D/S	D/S	D/S	D/S	S	S	H	H	H
Soft 17	H	D/H	D/H	D/H	D/H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 16	H	H	D/H	D/H	D/H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 15	H	H	D/H	D/H	D/H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 14	H	H	H	D/H	D/H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 13	H	H	H	D/H	D/H	H	H	H	H	H
2,2	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
33	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
44	H	H	H	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
55	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
66	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
77	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
88	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
99	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	S	SP	SP	S	S
1010	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
AA	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP

Never take insurance.

If double after pair splitting is not permitted use these rules for pair splitting.

22	H	H	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
33	H	H	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
44	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
55	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
66	H	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
77	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
88	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
99	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	S	SP	SP	S	S
1010	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
AA	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP

If the dealer hits soft 17, then fold in 11 against the ace of the merchant, double down on soft 19 against, double down 6 distributor softness 18 agaist a distributor 2, and the hard handover 15, disc 17, and a pair of 8 ace against the trader.

For European rules (dealer does not take a down card until players complete their hands and all the double bets down and divide player lost to a dealer blackjack) do not divide or double the bet against the ace of a distributor is not double down against a dealer 10, and do not split a pair of 8 against a distributor 10.

Using the information in the table, how to play this hand. 2.2 and is maintained uncovered card the dealer is 6. Go on top and find dealers 6 upcard. Go down the first column under the hand and find players 22. At the intersection of the row and column find a P which means you must divide.

How about an, Ace, 7 (soft 18) against dealers 3. The table shows D / S. This means that you should fold if they allow doubling on soft hands. If the rules do not allow double on a soft hand, which would stand.

What about this hand: 2,3, Ace (soft 16) against dealers 5. The table shows D / H. Since most casinos will not allow doubling down on 3 or more cards you should hit.

The basic strategy in the table should be memorized. This task is not as difficult as first thought, because you probably know more than now. You should be able to play every hand dealt to you perfectly. Mistakes will cost money to practice basic strategy and always use it when playing.