Intermediate
Blackjack Basic Strategy Explained
Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges in the casino when played with correct basic strategy here's how to play every hand optimally.
House Edge
0.5%
Best For
Low house edge
Read Time
8 min
How to play
You're dealt two cards and compete against the dealer's hand, not other players. Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Face cards count as 10, aces as 1 or 11.
- A two-card 21 (an ace plus a 10-value card) is a natural blackjack, usually paying 3:2.
- Hit to take another card, or stand to keep your total.
- Double down to double your bet and take exactly one more card.
- Split pairs into two hands if your first two cards match in value.
💡 Pro tip
Always use a basic strategy chart. It tells you the mathematically correct play for every combination of your hand and the dealer's up-card, and it's the single biggest edge-improver available to any player.
Odds & house edge
Played with perfect basic strategy, blackjack's house edge falls to around 0.5%, among the best odds on the casino floor. Play by 'gut feel' instead and the edge can climb above 2%.
Strategy tips
- Always split aces and 8s; never split 10s or 5s.
- Double down on 11 whenever the dealer shows anything but an ace.
- Stand on hard 17 or higher; hit hard 11 or lower.
Common mistakes
Taking 'insurance' when the dealer shows an ace is a common trap it's a side bet with a high house edge and basic strategy says to skip it almost always.