Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal play for every possible blackjack hand against every dealer up card. It's derived from computer simulation of millions of hands, not intuition — and it's the same for every player, every time, regardless of what's been dealt before. Card counting adjusts your bet size around basic strategy; it never replaces it.
The chart below is for the most common game setup in US casinos and online: 4-8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, doubling allowed after a split.
Hard Totals
A "hard" total is any hand with no Ace, or an Ace counted as 1.
| Your Hand | vs 2-6 | vs 7-9 | vs 10/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 or less | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 9 | Double vs 3-6, else Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 10 | Double | Double | Hit |
| 11 | Double | Double | Double vs 10, Hit vs A |
| 12 | Stand vs 4-6, else Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13-16 | Stand | Hit | Hit |
| 17+ | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Soft Totals
A "soft" total is a hand with an Ace counted as 11 (so it can't bust on the next card).
| Your Hand | vs 2-3 | vs 4-6 | vs 7-8 | vs 9-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft 13-14 (A,2 / A,3) | Hit | Double vs 5-6, else Hit | Hit | Hit |
| Soft 15-16 (A,4 / A,5) | Hit | Double | Hit | Hit |
| Soft 17 (A,6) | Hit | Double | Hit | Hit |
| Soft 18 (A,7) | Double | Double | Stand | Hit vs 9-10-A |
| Soft 19+ | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Pairs
Splitting rules assume double after split (DAS) is allowed, which is standard at most casinos and online tables.
| Your Pair | Action |
|---|---|
| A, A | Always split |
| 10, 10 | Never split — stand |
| 9, 9 | Split vs 2-6, 8, 9. Stand vs 7, 10, A |
| 8, 8 | Always split |
| 7, 7 | Split vs 2-7, else Hit |
| 6, 6 | Split vs 2-6, else Hit |
| 5, 5 | Never split — play as hard 10 |
| 4, 4 | Split vs 5-6 only (if DAS), else Hit |
| 3, 3 | Split vs 2-7, else Hit |
| 2, 2 | Split vs 2-7, else Hit |
Why This Chart, Specifically
Basic strategy changes slightly with the rule set — how many decks are in play, whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, whether you can double after splitting, and whether surrender is offered. The chart above assumes the most common online and US casino setup. If your table stands on soft 17 with different deck counts, the correct play on a small number of borderline hands (mainly 11 vs Ace, and some soft-hand doubles) can shift — check your specific table's rules if you're playing for serious money.
Memorizing It
Most players memorize basic strategy in three passes — hard totals first (they come up most often), then soft totals, then pairs. Expect to make mistakes for the first few hundred hands; that's normal. Practicing with our free online counter lets you play through hands and check your decisions against the correct play without financial risk.
Basic Strategy vs. Card Counting
Basic strategy alone reduces the house edge to roughly 0.5% — the best a player can do without tracking the deck. It's the foundation every card counter builds on. If you haven't already, our guide to how to count cards walks through the next step: using the count to know when to deviate from flat betting and press your advantage.