 What is the basic playing strategy? It is the optimum way to play your hand if you are not counting cards. The strategy is derived by computer simulation where the computer deals out millions of hands, plays them in all possible ways, and then records and analyzes the results. The basic strategy is not based on guesswork or hunches. It is the mathematically correct way to play your hand against every dealer's upcard.
What does the basic strategy get you? The casino's initial edge in the game of blackjack is about 5.75%, which includes the 3 to 2 payoff on player blackjacks. By employing the correct basic strategy plays it is possible to whittle down the casino's edge to about 0.5%.
| Initial casino's edge |
5.75% |
| Correct hitting and standing |
-3.25% |
| Correct doubling |
-1.5% |
| Correct pair splitting |
-0.5% |
| Casino's edge with basic strategy |
0.5% |
Of course it's possible to lower the casino's edge to less than 0.5% by playing in games that have very favorable rules. One of the best blackjack games is offered at the Slots-A- Fun Casino in Las Vegas. Here they deal a single deck game with the dealer standing on soft 17 and double after pair splitting is allowed. A basic strategy player has in fact a slight edge against the casino (ca. 0.1%) in this game.
The basic playing strategy is slightly dependent on the number of decks of cards. Thus the basic strategy for a single deck game is slightly different than a six deck game. For simplicity the table below summarizes the basic strategy rules that you can use for any number of decks.
To use the table, go across the top to find the dealer's upcard and go down the first column and find your hand. Where the row and column intersect you'll find the correct basic strategy play. The strategy assumes that doubling after pair splitting is allowed (see bottom of chart for deviations if doubling after pair splitting is not allowed)
Generic Basic Strategy
| H=hit |
S=stand |
D=double down |
P=pair split |
Su=surrender |
| X/Y=Do X if allowed, otherwise do Y |
Dealer Upcard
Player hand
| |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
17 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
Su/H |
Su/H |
Su/H |
15 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
Su/H |
H |
14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
13 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
12 |
|
