Online Blackjack Strategy Chart
The basic strategy in blackjack emerged from computer simulations and mathematical analysis performed in the 1950s and 1960s. It dictates the optimal move for every hand combination against every possible dealer up card. By following these guidelines, players can reduce the house edge to less than 1%, making blackjack one of the most player-friendly games at the best online casinos.
- H: Hit
- S: Stand
- D: Double down (if not allowed, hit)
- P: Split
*Splitting 4s
You should only split 4s when you’re playing a blackjack variation that let’s you double down after splitting. Otherwise, you should never split 4s.
Online Blackjack Strategy Guide
The table above illustrates how to play each possible hand of blackjack. Below, we’ve covered this strategy in written format for anyone who wants to better understand the basic blackjack strategy.
When to Hit or Stand in Blackjack
In blackjack, the player’s primary goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. Players should always hit on a hand of 11 or less, as they cannot bust and only stand a chance to improve their hand. Conversely, standing on 17 or more is advised because the risk of busting is high, and such hands are strong enough to potentially win. For hands between 12 and 16, the decision to hit or stand depends on the dealer’s up card. Generally, if the dealer shows a 7 or higher, hitting is advisable, as the dealer has a strong chance of achieving a high hand.
- Hit on a hand of 11 or less.
- Stand on a hand of 17 or more.
- Don’t Stand on a hand of 11 or less.
- Don’t Hit on a hand of 17 or more.
Doubling Down
Doubling down allows players to double their bet in exchange for one additional card. This move is advantageous when the player has a total of 10 or 11, particularly if this total is higher than the dealer’s up card, as the chances of achieving a high total with one more card are good. Doubling on soft hands (hands with an ace) can also be beneficial, particularly in the range of soft 13 to soft 18, as the ace’s flexibility offers a safety net.
- Double down on a total of 10 or 11 if it’s more than the dealer’s up card.
- Consider doubling down on soft 13-18.
- Don’t duble down in any other situation
Splitting Pairs
Splitting pairs can turn one hand into two, offering a chance to double potential winnings or recover from a weak hand. Always split aces and 8s; aces offer a chance of blackjack in two hands, while 8s help avoid the notoriously weak 16. However, splitting 10s or 5s is generally discouraged; 10s already form a strong hand, while 5s offer better potential as a single hand rather than two weak hands. Other pairs should be split based on the dealer’s up card, aiming to maximize potential winnings against the dealer’s weaker cards.
- Always split aces and 8s.
- Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s in favorable situations
- Don’t split 10s and 5s
This is a simple chart, for a more extensive review check out When Should You Split in Blackjack.
Soft Hands
Soft hands contain an ace counted as 11, providing flexibility. With soft 17 or less, hitting is generally the best option, as the ace’s flexibility prevents busting and offers a chance to improve the hand. For soft 18, players usually stand, except when facing a dealer’s 9, 10, or ace, where hitting might lead to a stronger total.
- Always hit on soft 17 or less.
- Stand on soft 18, except hit against a dealer’s 9, 10, or ace.
- Don’t stand on soft 17 or less
Should I take Insurance in Blackjack?
No. We get it – when you decline insurance, the dealer always APPEARS to roll over a blackjack.
But hard statistics don’t lie – the probability of a dealer blackjack is only 31%, so taking insurance is a negative expected value move.
So don’t listen to the table (or that nagging voice in your head). In the long run, you’ll gain by declining insurance every time.
Decline Even Money Payouts on BJs Versus a Dealer Ace
A Blackjack versus a dealer ten presents a unique dilemma. Sure, you have an unbeatable hand, but if the dealer also turns over a blackjack, you push (i.e., you get your money back, which means NO profit).
So to “guarantee” you’ll make money, the dealer will offer you a 1/1 payout over the usual 3/2.
Do NOT take this deal. The probability of a dealer Blackjack is only 31% – 31% of the time you’ll break even, and get paid at 3/2 69% of the time (nice).
So if you take the even money payout, you’ll sacrifice 50% of your BJ profits – that’s a LOT of money over the long run.
When Should I Surrender in Blackjack?
Surrendering allows a player to forfeit half their bet to avoid playing out a hand. This option is particularly useful when holding a 16 against a dealer’s 9, 10, or ace, or a 15 against a dealer’s 10. Surrendering in these scenarios can minimize losses over the long run.
- Surrender 16 against dealer’s 9, 10, or ace, and 15 against dealer’s 10.
- Never surrender without looking at the dealer’s up card, no matter your cards.
More Blackjack Tips
There are a couple of general tips and tricks for playing blackjack that you should also be aware of. These are not a part of the basic strategy, but still good to remember.
Choose Variants That Use Less Decks
The more decks used in a Blackjack game, the fatter the house edge.
So, to minimize the house’s advantage, play Blackjack titles that use as few decks as possible. Doing this increases your odds of drawing a Ten or Face card in double-down situations.
Pushing these thin edges will reduce your long-term losses and slightly increase your short-term probability of hitting a winning hand/blackjack.
Take Advantage of Blackjack Bonuses
To attract and retain customers, most online casinos offer welcome bonuses. But while many of these target slot players, Blackjack-specific bonuses do exist.
For example, BetMGM Casino often runs a promotion that mixes bonus cards into their live dealer casino game section. If you draw one, you win the amount shown as bonus funds.
By grabbing a online blackjack bonus, you can win cash that’ll further reduce the site’s edge.
Stay Disciplined at the Tables
Your biggest enemy isn’t the dealer at the blackjack table – it’s your emotions. Cards have no memory, they don’t have vendettas. They simply fall based on statistics. So don’t take that third improbable win-in-a-row by the dealer personally. If it’s statistically possible, it can and will happen.
As a player, your job is to employ optimal strategy against whatever the dealer shows. The second emotion enters the equation, step away from the tables and take a break.
Blackjack Odds With Perfect Strategy
Blackjack odds with perfect strategy for American Blackjack are 99.5%. This means that on average, for every $100 bet, you’ll receive $99.5 back. However, the perfect blackjack odds also depend on the game you’re playing.
| Blackjac Game | Odds With Perfect Strategy |
|---|---|
| American Blackjack | 99.5% |
| European Blackjack | 99.3% |
| Free Bet Blackjack | 98.5% |
The blackjack odds can be further influenced by other rules like the number of decks used, whether surrender is allowed, the payout for blackjack (e.g., 3:2 vs. 6:5), and other specific house rules.
Blackjack Systems
Before we start, a disclaimer – NO betting system can overcome Blackjack’s house edge. In fact, these systems can magnify the house’s advantage (i.e. when luck turns against you, you lose your money quicker).
Nevertheless, many gamers swear by their favourite system. Below, we’ll talk about the ones commonly used by seasoned Blackjack players.
The Martingale System
The Martingale System appears to be rock solid. The idea behind it is simple yet elegant – by doubling your bet after each loss, you’ll eventually make back the deficit.
However, this strategy has two fatal flaws. Firstly, the Martingale System only works in games with no house edge. In blackjack, every hand has negative expected value. So, in the long run, you WILL lose money, regardless of bet sizing.
And secondly, Martingaling can put serious pressure on your bankroll. For example, if you’re betting $10/hand and you hit a five-hand losing streak, by the fifth hand, you’ll need to wager $160.
Because of this, following the Martingale System exponentially increases your risk of ruin (especially if you’re tilting).
The Paroli System
Whereas the Martingale System is based on negative progression, the Paroli System employs positive progression. This means you’ll double your bet when you win, and if you hit three wins in a row, you’ll return to your initial stake.
If you don’t want to bust your bankroll, the Paroli System beats Martingaling. But like the Martingale System, Paroli cannot overcome Blackjack’s house edge.
Here’s why: the house edge is a statistical measure, which means it’s not affected by your bet sizing. So for every win streak captured by Paroli, you’ll lose your share of doubled and quadrupled wagers (and then some).
Oscar’s Betting System
Oscar’s Betting System is a hybrid between the two systems described above. It employs positive progression whenever you win and negative progression when you lose.
Start with a specific size (say, $10/hand). After every win, you would raise your stake by one unit, so the next bet would be $20. Every win adds another unit to your bet size ($30, $40, etc.)
But once you lose, you’d cut your wager back to the initial bet sizing – in this case, $10.
However, like the other systems, Blackjack math wins in the long run (i.e. over time, your losses will always overshadow your wins).
