If there's one "secret weapon" every blackjack player should have, it's basic strategy. It's not a betting system or a hunch; it's a complete roadmap based on mathematics, designed to give you the best possible odds on every hand you're dealt.

What Is Basic Strategy?

Basic strategy is a set of rules that dictates the optimal play for any given situation in blackjack. It takes into account your two cards and the dealer's visible upcard, and tells you whether to Hit, Stand, Double Down, or Split.

These rules were developed by mathematicians who used computers to run millions of blackjack simulations. The result is a chart that removes all guesswork and emotion from your decisions. You can view the complete chart on our Blackjack Basic Strategy page.

Why Is It So Powerful?

The casino has a built-in advantage in blackjack, known as the house edge. However, by strictly following basic strategy, you can reduce that edge to its absolute minimum—often less than 0.5%! This makes blackjack one of the best games in the casino for the player.

Deviating from the strategy, even on a "gut feeling," increases the house edge against you. Making plays like hitting a hard 17 or splitting a pair of 10s are costly mistakes that add up over time.

Key Principles of Basic Strategy

While the full chart can seem intimidating, some core principles are easy to remember:

• Always Split Aces and 8s: Splitting aces gives you two chances to hit 21. Splitting 8s turns a terrible hand of 16 into two much more promising hands starting with 8.
• Never Split 10s or 5s: A hand of 20 is a powerhouse; don't break it up. A pair of 5s is a strong 10, which is a great hand to double down on.
• Stand on Hard 17 and Above: Your chances of busting are too high to risk hitting on a hard 17 or more, regardless of what the dealer has.

How to Master It

Reading the chart is one thing; memorizing it is another. The best way to internalize basic strategy is through practice. That's why we built the Blackjack Basic Strategy Trainer. It drills you on every possible hand, providing instant feedback so you can learn to make the mathematically correct decision every time, without hesitation.

Mastering basic strategy won't guarantee you'll win every session, but it guarantees you'll be playing with the best possible odds. It's the single most important step to becoming a truly smart blackjack player.