Базовая стратегия блэкджека

Blackjack basic strategy is the set of decisions that loses the least over time for every combination of your hand and the dealer's up-card. It isn't a way to beat the game; it's simply the best play in each spot. The core ideas: stand on 13-16 when the dealer shows 2-6 (and on 12 against 4-6), hit them against 7 or higher, double 10 and 11 against weaker cards, and always split aces and 8s. You can drill every decision below with the free Blackjack game, which uses play chips only.

First, which rules this chart assumes

Small rule changes shift a few decisions, so a chart only fits the table it was made for. This one matches our game:

• Six decks, dealer stands on all 17s (including soft 17).
• Dealer peeks for blackjack under an ace or ten.
• Double on any first two cards, including after a split.
• No surrender and no insurance.

If you don't know the rules yet, read blackjack rules first.

1. Think about the dealer's up-card first

Every decision starts with the dealer's visible card. Dealer cards 2 to 6 are weak: the dealer has to keep drawing and often busts. Cards 7 to ace are strong: the dealer will often finish on 17-21. When the dealer is weak, you can afford to stand on poor totals and let them bust. When the dealer is strong, a 15 or 16 is likely beaten, so you take the risk of hitting.

2. Hard totals (no ace counted as 11)

Your hand	What to do
8 or less	Always hit
9	Double against 3-6, otherwise hit
10	Double against 2-9, otherwise hit
11	Double against 2-10, hit against an ace
12	Stand against 4-6, otherwise hit
13-16	Stand against 2-6, otherwise hit
17 or more	Always stand

The one that feels wrong to most people is 12 against a 2 or 3: hit it. Only a 10-value card busts you, and the dealer's 2 or 3 isn't weak enough to stand on 12.

16 against a 10 is the worst hand in the game. Hitting loses a bit less often than standing, so hit.

3. Soft totals (an ace counted as 11)

Soft hands can't bust on the next card, so they are the time to be aggressive.

Your hand	What to do
A-2, A-3	Double against 5-6, otherwise hit
A-4, A-5	Double against 4-6, otherwise hit
A-6	Double against 3-6, otherwise hit
A-7	Double against 3-6, stand against 2, 7 or 8, hit against 9, 10 or ace
A-8, A-9	Always stand

Soft 18 (A-7) catches people out. It looks like a good total, but against a 9, 10 or ace it usually loses, so take a card. You can't bust, and if you draw badly the ace simply drops to 1.

If you don't have enough chips left to double, our game greys out the Double button. Then hit, except with A-7, where you stand.

4. Pairs: when to split

Your pair	What to do
A-A	Always split
8-8	Always split
10-10 (any two ten-value cards)	Never split; stand on 20
9-9	Split against 2-6, 8 and 9; stand against 7, 10 and ace
7-7	Split against 2-7, otherwise hit
6-6	Split against 2-6, otherwise hit
5-5	Never split; play it as a hard 10 (double against 2-9)
4-4	Split against 5-6, otherwise hit
2-2, 3-3	Split against 2-7, otherwise hit

Two easy-to-remember rules: always split aces and 8s, never split 5s and 10s. A pair of 8s is 16, the worst total, while each 8 on its own is a decent start. A pair of 5s is 10, a great doubling hand, which you'd ruin by splitting.

9-9 against a 7 is a fun exception: you have 18, and the dealer's most likely finish is 17, so stand.

5. Don't copy the dealer

A common beginner habit is to "play like the dealer" and hit everything below 17. That throws away the dealer's biggest weakness: when they show a 5 or 6, they bust often, and you want to be standing when it happens. Standing on 13 against a 6 feels timid but is correct.

6. Never trust "hunches" about the next card

The shoe is shuffled, and each hand is independent enough that "a ten is due" is not a reason to stand. Basic strategy is about averages over thousands of hands. You will lose plenty of hands while playing every one correctly, and that's normal.

7. Learn it in blocks, not all at once

Trying to memorise three tables in one sitting doesn't work. A better order:

1. Hard totals 12-17 (the most common hands).
2. Doubling on 9, 10 and 11.
3. The "always and never" splits: aces, 8s, 5s and 10s.
4. Soft hands, last.

Play 50 hands on each block in the free Blackjack game with a copy of the table beside you, then try without it.

8. Keep it to play chips

Basic strategy reduces the house edge; it doesn't remove it. Over time, the house still comes out ahead, which is why we built our version with free chips that have no value. Treat it as a puzzle, not a way to make money. If you enjoy the decision-making side, Jacks or Better strategy for free video poker works in a similar way.

Practise basic strategy now

Open the free Blackjack game, keep this page in another tab, and play each hand by the chart until you stop needing to look. There's no sign-up and nothing to buy.