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Blackjack Basic Strategy, Explained
By James Burke · Updated Oct 15, 2026
Blackjack is one of the few casino games where your decisions change the house edge. Basic strategy is the set of decisions that loses the least over time for a given set of rules. It reduces the house edge; it doesn't remove it, and the casino keeps the advantage.
Basic strategy summary
This summary follows the Wizard of Odds, 4–8 deck basic strategy chart for games where the dealer stands on soft 17 and you can double after splitting (checked Oct 15, 2026). Rules differ by table, so check the game's rules screen, and use the full chart for exact plays.
Hard totals
8 or less: hit.
9: double against dealer 3–6, otherwise hit.
10: double against dealer 2–9, otherwise hit.
11: double against dealer 2–10, hit against an ace.
12: stand against dealer 4–6, otherwise hit.
13–16: stand against dealer 2–6, otherwise hit.
17 or more: stand.
If late surrender is offered: surrender hard 16 vs 9, 10 or ace, and hard 15 vs 10. (Wizard of Odds excludes a pair of 8s from the hard-16 surrender; split 8s instead.)
Soft totals (hands with an ace counted as 11)
A-2, A-3: double against dealer 5–6, otherwise hit.
A-4, A-5: double against dealer 4–6, otherwise hit.
A-6: double against dealer 3–6, otherwise hit.
A-7: double against dealer 3–6, stand against 2, 7 or 8, hit against 9, 10 or ace.
A-8 or more: stand.
Pairs
Aces and 8s: always split.
2s, 3s, 7s: split against dealer 2–7.
4s: split against dealer 5–6.
5s: never split; play as a hard 10.
6s: split against dealer 2–6.
9s: split against dealer 2–6, 8 and 9; stand against 7, 10 or ace.
10s: never split.
The same source advises never taking insurance or "even money."
Watch for 6:5 blackjack
A 3:2 table pays $15 on a $10 blackjack; a 6:5 table pays $12. Wizard of Odds puts the cost of "Blackjack pays 6-5" at 1.39% added to the house edge (rule variations table, checked Oct 15, 2026). Check the payout in the rules before you play.
Rules change the edge
The number of decks, whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, doubling and splitting options, and surrender all change the house edge. The same Wizard of Odds table lists the effect of each rule. Read the rules screen of the specific game; live and RNG tables at the same casino can differ.
Bankroll limits
Decide your session budget and time limit before you start, and leave when you reach either.
Bet a flat amount. Progressive systems like Martingale don't change the house edge and can lead to very large bets after a losing run.
Don't chase losses.
Live dealer blackjack
Live tables use physical cards dealt on camera. The rules (decks, soft 17, payouts) are shown in each table's information panel and can differ from RNG versions. The house edge still applies.