Blackjack basic strategy: what to do on every hand
A short set of rules cuts the house edge to its minimum, but never turns the game in your favour.
Blackjack basic strategy is a set of mathematically derived decisions for every hand against each dealer card. It reduces the house edge to its minimum, often under one per cent, but it does not guarantee a win. Learn the main rules, skip insurance and side bets and play at tables paying 3 to 2.
Strategy matters in blackjack more than in any other table game, because your decisions change the cost of playing. Everything above is summed up in our best real money casinos in Canada.
This guide covers the essentials in plain language and a few money rules. You must be of legal age in your province to play.
What are the core rules?
- Always split aces and eights.
- Never split tens or fives.
- Double down on 11 against most dealer cards and on 10 against dealer 2 to 9.
- Stand on hard 17 or higher.
- Hit hard 12 to 16 against a dealer 7 or higher, and stand against a dealer 2 to 6 for most 13 to 16 (12 against 2 or 3 is a hit).
- Always hit hard 8 or less.
Variations in rules change a few decisions, so a chart for your table is best.
How do soft hands work?
A soft hand contains an ace counted as 11. It cannot bust with one more card, so you can be more aggressive. Soft 18 is a stand against dealer 2, 7 or 8, a double against 3 to 6 where allowed, and a hit against 9, 10 or ace. Soft 19 and 20 are stands. Soft 13 to 17 are usually doubles against a weak dealer card (4 to 6, depending on the hand) where doubling is allowed, and hits otherwise.
What is a quick summary by dealer card?
| Dealer shows | General approach |
|---|---|
| 2 to 6 (weak) | Stand on 12 to 16 mostly, double on 9 to 11, split more pairs |
| 7 to 9 | Hit 12 to 16, double on 10 and 11, stand on 17 |
| 10 or ace | Hit up to 16, avoid insurance, double only on 11 in some rules |
Practise with a free chart in demo mode. See also free casino games for how to practise.
Which bets should you skip?
Insurance pays 2 to 1 when the dealer has blackjack, but it has a house edge much higher than the main game. Side bets such as Perfect Pairs or 21+3 also carry higher edges. Avoid tables paying 6 to 5 on blackjack. Card counting does not work online against RNG tables, which shuffle every hand.
How should you manage money?
Decide a session budget, for example CAD 100, and use a bet size of 1 to 2 per cent of it, which is CAD 1 to CAD 2. Do not double your bet after losses. Stop at your limit or after a set time. Use the budget calculator for a monthly figure, and read the blackjack overview for table rules.
What mistakes cost the most?
- Standing on 12 against a dealer 2 or 3 out of fear.
- Splitting tens.
- Taking insurance with a good hand.
- Playing hunches, such as changing play after losing.
- Playing on 6 to 5 tables.
How can you practise before betting real money?
Open a demo table or a free trainer and play a few hundred hands with a strategy chart beside you. Note where you hesitate and which hands you get wrong, then repeat. Practising without money helps because you build a habit without the pressure of a balance. When you play for real, begin with the smallest stake and focus on following the chart rather than on winning back losses.
Frequently asked questions
Can basic strategy beat the casino?
No. It reduces the house edge to a low figure, often under one per cent with good rules, but the casino still holds an edge. Over a short session you can win or lose, and strategy does not remove variance. Use it to reduce cost, not to expect profit.
Should I take insurance in blackjack?
Generally no. Insurance is a side bet on whether the dealer has a ten underneath, and the odds are against you. Basic strategy says to decline it, including when you have a blackjack, except in certain counting situations that do not apply online.
Is a strategy chart allowed at the table?
Online, yes. You can keep a chart open while you play on RNG tables and most live tables, since nobody objects to a basic strategy card. Some live games add a hint feature. Do not rely on third-party software that makes the decisions for you if the terms forbid it.