Blackjack Strategy Guide 2026
Blackjack Basic Strategy: The Complete Chart and Guide
Basic strategy cuts the house edge from 2-4% down to 0.5%. It is the mathematically correct decision for every hand. Learn it and you will play better than 90% of the people at your table.
By WintraUpdated May 202612 min read
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What is basic strategy?
Basic strategy is a set of rules developed using computer simulations of millions of hands. It tells you the statistically correct play for every possible combination of your cards and the dealer's up card.
Without it the house has a 2-4% edge against a typical player. With perfect basic strategy that drops to around 0.5%. At a $25 table playing 60 hands per hour, that difference costs you over $20 every hour.
0.5%
house edge with perfect basic strategy
2-4%
house edge without strategy
~60
hands per hour at a typical table
The rules that matter most
The full chart covers every situation but a handful of rules account for most of the mistakes players make. Memorize these and you will be ahead of 90% of the table.
Always split Aces and 8s
Aces give you two chances at 21. 8s turn a losing 16 into two playable hands. No exceptions, no matter what the dealer shows.
Never split 10s or 5s
20 is almost unbeatable — do not break it up. Two 5s total 10, which is a great doubling hand. Treat them as 10 and double if you can.
Always double 11 against dealer 2 through 10
Your chance of hitting 21 is strong and the dealer has not shown an Ace. This is the best doubling situation in the game.
Stand on hard 17 and above, always
Any card above 4 busts you. The math is clear. Do not hit a hard 17 or higher regardless of what the dealer shows.
Hit soft 18 when dealer shows 9, 10, or Ace
Soft 18 feels like a good hand but it loses against a strong dealer card. Hit for a chance at 19 or 20. Stand against 2 through 8.
Stand on 12 through 16 when dealer shows 2 through 6
The dealer has a bust card. Let them take the risk. Do not hit when the dealer is likely to bust on their own.
Hard totals: the most common situations
Hard totals cover about 70% of your hands. Your hand value is on the left, the dealer's up card across the top. H = Hit, S = Stand, D = Double.
Standard 4-8 deck game, dealer stands on soft 17.
Picking the right table
The table rules you play under change the house edge significantly — sometimes by more than basic strategy itself. Check these before you sit down.
Good table rules
Blackjack pays 3:2-0.5%
Dealer stands on soft 17-0.2%
Double after split allowed-0.14%
Surrender available-0.08%
Walk away from these
Blackjack pays 6:5+1.4%
Dealer hits on soft 17+0.2%
A 6:5 table wipes out all the advantage you gain from perfect basic strategy. Always find a 3:2 table.
Bankroll for blackjack
Basic strategy tells you how to play each hand. Your bankroll tells you how long you can play. Perfect strategy means nothing if you run out of chips before variance evens out.
$10 table
$150-$300
15-30 hands of cushion. Good for beginners learning the game.
$25 table
$300-$600
12-24 hands of cushion. Most common Strip table minimum.
$50 table
$750-$1,200
15-24 hands of cushion. Have your strategy locked in before sitting here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is basic strategy legal in casinos?+
Does basic strategy guarantee I will win?+
Does basic strategy change with the number of decks?+
How do I track my blackjack sessions in Wintra?+
What is the best blackjack bet for beginners?+
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