Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart: The Best Moves for Every Hand

A basic strategy chart tells you the best move for every player hand and dealer upcard under common rules. It cuts the house edge and removes guesswork. Learn the core blocks first and then tweak for the specific table.

What this Blackjack chart is

The chart groups your starting hand into three families. Hard totals, soft totals, and pairs. Each cell says H hit, S stand, D double, P split, or R surrender when that option is available. The goal is to make the highest return move in that exact matchup across many hands.

How to read it fast

Step one.

Classify your hand. If an Ace can still count as 11, it is soft. If not, it is hard. If both cards match, check the pair block first.

Step two.

Read the dealer upcard and find the action. If the ideal move is blocked by table rules, use the next best action shown for that family. Simple flow. Pehle family, phir upcard.

Why the upcard matters

Dealer rules force a draw until at least 17. Against dealer 2 to 6, the dealer must pull cards and can bust often. You stand more and double more. Against 7 to Ace, the dealer reaches 17 to 20 a lot. You hit more and double only on strong totals. That single split is the backbone of basic play.

Hard totals

On hard 17 or more, stand. On hard 13 to 16, stand versus 2 to 6 and hit versus 7 to Ace. On hard 12, stand versus 4 to 6 and hit otherwise. Hard 11 doubles against almost everything unless blocked. Hard 10 doubles versus 2 to 9 else hit. Hard 9 doubles versus 3 to 6 else hit. Hard 8 or less hits.

Soft totals

Soft 19 and 20 stand. Soft 18 doubles versus 2 to 6, stands versus 7 to 8, and hits versus 9 to Ace. Soft 17 doubles versus 3 to 6 when allowed, otherwise hit. Soft 13 to 16 doubles versus 5 to 6 when allowed, otherwise hit. Soft hands can attack because the Ace can drop to 1 after a hit.

Blackjack pairs and splitting

Always split Aces and eights. Never split tens or fives. Twos and threes split versus 4 to 7 when allowed. Sixes split versus 2 to 6. Sevens split versus 2 to 7. Nines split versus 2 to 6 and 8 to 9, but stand versus 7 and versus 10 or Ace. If double after split is allowed, several splits gain even more value.

Rule toggles that flip cells

Dealer hits soft 17 nudges a few soft hands toward more aggression. Double after split opens extra profit spots. Late surrender trims pain on the worst hard totals versus strong dealer upcards. Fewer decks help slightly if other rules are equal. Read the placard before chips go down and adjust only a handful of edge cases.

How to practice blackjack without pressure

Drill decisions in short sessions. Say them outloud before clicking. Hard 16 versus 6 stand. Soft 18 versus 9 hit. Pair of 8s versus 10 split when allowed. Repetition builds speed and reduces second guessing. Time pe break lo and stay cool.

Bankroll alignment

A good chart needs sane sizing.

Use around one to two percent of bankroll per hand.

If you double or split often, lean closer to one percent. Write a win cap and a loss cap. When a rail hits,

stop.

The chart tells you what to do. Rails tell you when to leave.

Here are some really useful Blackjack tips

Before the first hand you have to

Read the placard for soft 17 rule, doubling scope, splitting scope, and surrender.
Pick a small stake fraction and set win and loss rails.
Keep the three families in view. Hard, soft, pair.

During the session you’d better

Say the family first. Then read the upcard and act.
If the ideal move is blocked, drop to the next best line for that family.
Log one short note after a block. Discipline over drama.

Pocket mini chart

Hard

17 plus stand. 13 to 16 stand versus 2 to 6 else hit. 12 stand versus 4 to 6 else hit. 11 double. 10 double versus 2 to 9 else hit. 9 double versus 3 to 6 else hit. 8 or less hit.

Soft

19 to 20 stand. 18 double versus 2 to 6, stand versus 7 to 8, hit versus 9 to Ace. 17 double versus 3 to 6 else hit. 13 to 16 double versus 5 to 6 else hit.

Pairs

Aces and 8s split. 10s and 5s do not split. 2s and 3s split versus 4 to 7. 6s split versus 2 to 6. 7s split versus 2 to 7. 9s split versus 2 to 6 and 8 to 9, otherwise stand.