Table Guide

Blackjack basic strategy chart

Direct answer: Basic strategy is the lowest-house-edge hit/stand/double/split chart under stated rules — here multi-deck S17 with DAS. Practice with play-money units below; it does not guarantee a win.

Last updated 2026-10-10. 18+ only.

How a hand works

You and the dealer each receive two cards. Number cards count face value; face cards count 10; an ace counts 1 or 11. A natural blackjack (ace + 10-value) on the first two cards typically pays 3:2 when the dealer does not also have one — confirm the pay-out on your table (some games advertise 6:5, which is worse for you).

After the deal you may hit, stand, double (where allowed), or split pairs. The dealer then plays by fixed rules (hit or stand on soft 17 depends on the table). Busting loses immediately. Side bets usually carry a much higher house edge than the main bet.

Rules that move the edge

Illustrative long-run edges under common published baselines — always confirm the live table. Figures are for education, not a prediction of your next shoe.

Rule changeTypical effect
3:2 natural blackjackStandard online baseline with good rules — thinner house edge when paired with S17 / DAS and basic strategy.
6:5 natural blackjackOften cited as adding roughly +1.4 percentage points of house edge versus 3:2 on otherwise similar tables — a large silent cost.
S17 → H17 (dealer hits soft 17)Slightly worse for the player; some chart cells change (e.g. hard 11 vs Ace is often double on H17).
DAS removedWorse for the player; fewer profitable doubles after splits — pair strategy cells shift.

Sources: standard published blackjack house-edge tables (e.g. Wizard of Odds / industry baselines). Not verified against any single operator shoe.

Practice table

Deal hands with play-money units and compare your choices to the chart below.

Practice table

Play-money units only. Same rules as the chart: multi-deck, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split, 3:2 blackjack. The chart tip sits beside your cards while you decide.

Bankroll: 100 units

Hands: 0

Dealer

You

Practice units only — not real money. Place a bet to deal.

Educational simulator — no real-money wagering, no account, and no claim that practice removes the house edge. 18+.

Basic strategy chart

Read your hand on the left, the dealer’s up-card across the top. Scroll horizontally on small screens.

Chart assumptions

  • 4+ decks (multi-deck)
  • Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17)
  • Double after split allowed (DAS)
  • No surrender
  • Dealer peeks for blackjack (common online)
  • Natural blackjack assumed 3:2 (6:5 tables change the edge — confirm live)

Dh = double if allowed, otherwise hit. Ds = double if allowed, otherwise stand (critical for soft 18 vs dealer 3–6). Hard 11 vs Ace is hit under this S17 chart; many H17 tables double instead — confirm the live rules. Totals below 8 are always hit. Optimal under these rules is not a prediction that you will win.

  • Hit
  • Stand
  • Double (else hit)
  • Double (else stand)
  • Split
Hard totals vs dealer up-card
Hard2345678910A
8HHHHHHHHHH
9HDhDhDhDhHHHHH
10DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhHH
11DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
16SSSSSHHHHH
17+SSSSSSSSSS
Soft totals vs dealer up-card
Soft2345678910A
A,2HHHDhDhHHHHH
A,3HHHDhDhHHHHH
A,4HHDhDhDhHHHHH
A,5HHDhDhDhHHHHH
A,6HDhDhDhDhHHHHH
A,7SDsDsDsDsSSHHH
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,9SSSSSSSSSS
Pairs vs dealer up-card
Pair2345678910A
A,APPPPPPPPPP
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
9,9PPPPPSPPSS
8,8PPPPPPPPPP
7,7PPPPPPHHHH
6,6PPPPPHHHHH
5,5DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhHH
4,4HHHPPHHHHH
3,3PPPPPPHHHH
2,2PPPPPPHHHH

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Confirm blackjack pay-outs and S17/H17 on the live table before you deposit.

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Frequently asked questions

What is blackjack basic strategy?
Direct answer: A chart of the lowest-house-edge decision (hit, stand, double or split) for each player hand versus each dealer up-card, under a stated rule set. It does not remove the house edge or guarantee a win.
Which rules does this chart use?
Direct answer: Multi-deck tables where the dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), double after split is allowed (DAS), no surrender, and the dealer peeks for blackjack — a common online baseline. Chart cells use Dh (double else hit) and Ds (double else stand). Soft 18 vs 3–6 is Ds. If your table is H17 or forbids DAS, some cells change.
Does 6:5 blackjack change the chart?
Direct answer: The hit/stand/double/split chart still applies, but 6:5 natural blackjack pay raises the house edge sharply versus classic 3:2. Prefer 3:2 tables when you have the choice — confirm the pay-out on the table help before you sit.
Should I use blackjack to clear a bonus?
Direct answer: Usually not. Many welcomes weight blackjack at a low percentage toward wagering. Check the operator terms and our wagering calculator first.
Is the practice table a real casino game?
Direct answer: No. It uses play-money units on your device only — no deposits, no real bets, and no account. It is for learning hit/stand/double/split under the same S17 / DAS rules as our chart.