Blackjack Basic Strategy: The Only Chart You’ll Ever Need

Updated: 2026-06-27 • Chart v1.2 (6-deck, S17, DAS, late surrender)

60-second quickstart

If you only learn one tool for blackjack, make it the basic strategy chart. It tells you the best move for each hand versus the dealer’s upcard. It does not promise wins. It does cut the house edge a lot when you follow it.

How to read it fast: find your hand type (Hard, Soft, Pair). In the row, look for the dealer upcard (2–10, A). Do the action in the box: S = Stand, H = Hit, D = Double (if allowed, else Hit), P = Split (pairs), R = Surrender (if allowed, else do the next best move shown). Keep a small print card in your wallet. It is allowed at most tables. Place it by your chips, glance, then act. Keep the game moving and be polite to the dealer.

Why most charts fail you (and why this one won’t)

Many charts leave out the rules they use. That is a trap. One move can flip when the table rules change. Our chart states its base rules up front: 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), double after split allowed (DAS), late surrender (LS), resplit to 4 hands, no resplit aces (no RSA). If your table is different, see the Rule Variations section below.

The math behind each move comes from expected value (EV). When the rules change, EV shifts. Surrender can save big. DAS can make some splits better. H17 can add a few extra doubles. To see how rules bend the edge, the best deep dive I know is this breakdown of blackjack house edge by rule.

Field note: I misplayed 12 vs 3 for years. It looks close. It is not. 12 vs 3 is a Hit in this ruleset. 12 vs 4–6 is a Stand. That one fix cut a lot of slow leaks for me.

The one chart (printable and mobile)

Default rules: 6 decks, S17, DAS, late surrender, split to 4 hands, no RSA. If Double is not allowed, Hit instead. If Surrender is not allowed, follow the non-surrender action.

Legend

• S = Stand
• H = Hit
• D = Double (if not allowed, Hit)
• P = Split
• R = Surrender (if not allowed, use next best action shown)

Dealer upcard columns: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A

Hard totals

Soft totals (A counts as 11)

Pairs

Download printable PDF (A4/Letter) • Save mobile card (PNG)

Accessibility: full text version of the chart

• Hard 17–20: Stand vs any upcard.
• Hard 16: Stand vs 2–6; Hit vs 7–8; Surrender vs 9, 10, A (if no surrender, Hit vs 9–A).
• Hard 15: Stand vs 2–6; Surrender vs 10 (if no surrender, Hit); else Hit.
• Hard 14–13: Stand vs 2–6; else Hit.
• Hard 12: Stand vs 4–6; else Hit.
• Hard 11: Double vs 2–10; Hit vs A.
• Hard 10: Double vs 2–9; Hit vs 10–A.
• Hard 9: Double vs 3–6; else Hit.
• Hard 5–8: Hit vs any.
• Soft A,9 and A,8: Stand vs any.
• Soft A,7: Double vs 3–6; Stand vs 2,7,8; Hit vs 9,10,A.
• Soft A,6: Double vs 3–6; else Hit.
• Soft A,5 and A,4: Double vs 4–6; else Hit.
• Soft A,3 and A,2: Double vs 5–6; else Hit.
• Pairs A,A and 8,8: Split vs any.
• Pair 10,10: Stand vs any.
• Pair 9,9: Split vs 2–6 and 8–9; Stand vs 7,10,A.
• Pair 7,7: Split vs 2–7; else Hit.
• Pair 6,6: Split vs 2–6; else Hit.
• Pair 5,5: Double vs 2–9; Hit vs 10–A.
• Pair 4,4: Split vs 5–6; else Hit.
• Pairs 3,3 and 2,2: Split vs 2–7; else Hit.

How to use the chart at a live table

Pick your hand type first. Find the dealer’s upcard. Act. Say your move in one short line: “Double,” “Hit,” “Stand,” or “Split.” If you need a moment, hold a finger by your bet. That shows you are thinking. Do not stall and tell a story. Keep it clean and calm.

Field note: I keep my card on the felt by the chips. I ask, “Surrender here?” if I think it fits. Dealers are fine with that. They will say yes or no. Then I follow the chart.

Common slips at the table: taking even money on a natural (it raises house edge), doubling soft hands at the wrong times, and standing on 12 vs 2 or 3 (you should Hit in this ruleset). Also, stop copying the last player. Their hand is not your hand.

Quick drills on the spot: 1) You hold 16 vs 10. If LS is offered, you Surrender. If not, you Hit. 2) You hold A,7 vs 3. You Double (if allowed); else Hit. 3) You hold 9 vs 5. You Double. 4) You hold 8,8 vs 9. You Split. 5) You hold 12 vs 4. You Stand.

Rule variations that change your play

Small rule flips can move a few key hands. When the dealer hits soft 17 (H17), you get more aggressive on some doubles and surrenders. When there is no peek (European no-hole-card), you avoid big bets against a dealer 10 or Ace. Here are the changes that matter most.

H17 vs S17

On H17 tables you Double more: 11 vs A (Double, not Hit), A,7 vs A (Double, not Hit), A,7 vs 2 (Double, not Stand), and A,8 vs 6 (Double, not Stand). You also Surrender a bit more: 15 vs A (Surrender in H17; in S17 you Hit). For a concise breakdown, see H17 vs S17 explained.

DAS vs no DAS

With DAS, many pair splits gain value (like 6,6 vs 2 and 3,3 vs 2). Without DAS, you split fewer small pairs. If DAS is off, treat 6,6 vs 2 as Hit (not Split), and 3,3 vs 2–3 as Hit (not Split). Your 5,5 still plays like a hard 10: Double vs 2–9, else Hit.

Late surrender vs no surrender

If you cannot surrender, do the next best move: 16 vs 10 becomes Hit; 16 vs 9 becomes Hit; 15 vs 10 becomes Hit. Early surrender is rare and stronger; if offered, it helps even more vs 10 and A.

Number of decks

Single- and double-deck charts are close to this one but not the same. Some soft doubles widen (like A,8 vs 6) and some 9 doubles shift. If you often play 1–2 decks, print a chart for that ruleset as well.

European no-hole-card (ENHC)

In ENHC games the dealer does not peek for blackjack. If you Double or Split against a dealer 10 or A and the dealer has blackjack, you lose extra. So in ENHC, do not Double or Split vs 10 or A unless the chart says you still must (you can still Split A,A and 8,8). A short primer is here: European no-hole-card (ENHC).

3:2 vs 6:5 blackjack

Always seek 3:2. A 6:5 payout raises the house edge a lot. Even perfect play cannot fix that. Walk if you see 6:5 and you have a choice.

Soft hands, pairs, and surrender — made simple

Soft hands have an Ace counted as 11. That extra room lets you Double more. Your goal is to put more money in when the dealer is weak (4–6). That is why A,7 doubles vs 3–6 but stands vs 2,7,8 and hits vs 9,10,A. If you want a clean primer on the base game, this is solid: blackjack fundamentals.

Pairs change risk. You cut bad totals into better starts. 8,8 splits vs any upcard. 10,10 never splits. 9,9 is the tricky one: split vs 2–6 and 8–9, but stand vs 7,10,A.

Surrender is a safety valve. It costs half the bet but saves more than it costs in the long run in a few spots (16 vs 9,10,A and 15 vs 10 in S17). If the table does not offer it, skip it and take the chart’s next move.

Practice that sticks

Do one-minute sprints. Deal yourself 15 random hands. Say the right move out loud in under four seconds each. Missed it? Note it, then redo the set. Add pressure by tapping a 5-second phone timer for each hand. A good free tool is this basic strategy trainer.

Print the chart on card stock. Trim and fold. Keep it with your ID. Cards are legal at most tables. Ask first if unsure. If you play online, keep the PNG on your phone for quick checks.

Bankroll, variance, and responsible play

Strategy cuts the edge, but swings still hit hard. Pick a trip bankroll you can lose. Break it into sessions. Do not raise bets to “chase.” Learn how rules are set by real regulators for a sense of what is standard; for example, see the official blackjack ruleset (NJ DGE).

Bet sizing tip: flat bet is fine. If you must scale, read on the idea behind the Kelly Criterion basics. It is not a magic trick. It just ties bet size to your edge. With only basic strategy (no count), your edge is negative, so keep bets small and steady.

If play is no longer fun, stop. If you need help, reach out. Here is a good start for support and advice: responsible gambling resources.

Where to find player‑friendly rules (Editor’s note)

Want 3:2 payouts, S17, DAS, and late surrender? We track tables and sites by rule, not hype. If you read Spanish and need a clean list of vetted places to play for real money, see our living index here: casino online con dinero real. It shows core rules for each room at a glance.

FAQ

Does basic strategy guarantee profits?
No. It lowers the house edge to near even, but the edge stays with the house unless you add a legal skill like counting. You will still see swings.

How much edge does the chart cut?
With 6 decks, S17, DAS, late surrender, and 3:2, perfect basic play can take the house edge near 0.3%–0.5% depending on exact rules.

Is 6:5 blackjack really that bad?
Yes. It adds roughly 1.3% or more to the house edge. That is huge. Pick 3:2 when you can.

Can I use a strategy card at the table?
At most casinos, yes. Ask if unsure. Keep it neat. Do not slow the game.

What changes with H17?
You Double a bit more (11 vs A, A,7 vs A and 2, A,8 vs 6) and add Surrender on 15 vs A. See our H17 notes above for detail.

What is the difference between hard and soft hands?
A soft hand has an Ace counted as 11 (like A,6 = 17). A hard hand has no Ace or the Ace must count as 1 (like 10,7 or A,6,10).

Is surrender worth it?
Yes, in a few key spots. In S17, surrender 16 vs 9,10,A and 15 vs 10. If not offered, follow the chart’s next move.

Do I need card counting?
Not to play well. The chart alone is strong. If you want to push deeper, this forum has good intros on basic strategy vs card counting. Only learn count if you can practice a lot and keep your play discreet and legal.

Methodology & assumptions

• Rules assumed: 6 decks, S17, DAS, late surrender, split to 4 hands, no RSA, double on any two cards.
• EV for each move computed under these rules. Some borderline hands switch under H17 or ENHC; those are listed in Rule Variations.
• If a rule is missing at your table (no LS, no DAS, no double), follow the fallback in the legend.
• We update the chart after rule audits and reader tests. Version is shown at the top.

Sources & further reading

• UNLV Center for Gaming Research — history, data, research.
• Nevada Gaming Control Board — technical standards and rules (state level).
• Khan Academy: Probability — quick refresh on odds and expectation.

Bonus: a tiny checklist before you sit down

• Check payout: 3:2 good, 6:5 bad.
• Ask: S17 or H17? (If H17, use the notes above.)
• Ask: Surrender? DAS? RSA?
• Pick min bet that lets you ride swings for at least 100 hands.
• Keep the card handy. Follow it. Breathe. Have fun.

Field note: You will feel heat from other players now and then. Ignore it. Basic play helps them too in the long run. Play your plan.

Author

By: Alex M. — blackjack player and writer. 500+ live hours in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and EU rooms. I audit rules and run drills weekly. I do not sell systems. I teach solid play and safe habits.