Blackjack Strategy Chart

Blackjack incorporates a number of strategies that players can try in order to increase their chances of winning. The main one uses a strategy chart that can help players to reduce the house edge to the minimum, creating a greater opportunity for winning. Not all aspects of basic strategy can be used at all online casinos, as it depends upon some of the particular rules that have been applied to the game. Strategies for blackjack can also depend upon whether it’s a single-deck game, or multi-deck game, though most online casinos do use more than one deck.

A strategy chart is the best way for players to reduce the house edge, even when playing at a casino online, though the strategies can also apply at brick and mortar casinos too. A strategy chart helps guide players in playing their first two cards, depending upon the face-up cards that a dealer has. The house edge in blackjack applies because it’s necessary for a player to act first, while this rule always applies, consulting the chart better helps players make the right decisions and reduce that edge with knowledge.

Many players will find that a blackjack strategy chart is a bit hard to understand, so for those that are newer to the game or that are just looking into blackjack strategies to better learn about how to beat online casino games, there are sites that break it down into understandable English rather than just a series of numbers so it is easier to grasp how to play.

Playing blackjack at an online casino is a great way to learn blackjack strategies, because players can consult their strategy guide as they play to start memorizing the strategy rules outlined by the blackjack strategy chart. As they play longer and better understand and recognize the strategies and patterns, it becomes possible for them to play without it, even at a brick and mortar casino where a strategy chart would not be acceptable during gameplay.

Here is the way a strategy chart is broken down for players, and these are the rules that players can start to apply when playing online to give themselves the upper hand over the dealer.

Playing hard hands (a hard hand refers to two starting cards that don’t have an Ace)

If you have eight or less, always hit.
If you have Nine: Double if the dealer has 3 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have Ten : Double if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
If you have Eleven: Double if the dealer has 2 thru 10, Hit if dealer has Ace.
If you have Twelve: Hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, Stand if the dealer has 4 thru 6, otherwise hit.
If you have 13- 16: Stand if the dealer has2 thru 6, otherwise hit.
If you have 17 - 21: Always Stand.
Playing soft hands ( a soft hand is when one of the starting hands contains an acE)
If you have Ace 2 or Ace 3: Double if the dealer has 5 or 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have Ace 4 or Ace 5: Double if the dealer has 4 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have Ace 6: Double if the dealer has 3 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have Ace 7: Stand if the dealer has 2, 7 or 8. Double 3 -thru 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have Ace 8 or Ace 9: Always Stand.
Playing pairs (2 cards of the same face value)
If you have a pair of Aces or Eights: Always split.
If you have a pair of twos or threes: Split if the dealer has 2 - 7, otherwise hit.
If you have a pair of fours: Split if the dealer has 5 or 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have a pair of fives: Double if the dealer has 2 thru 9 - otherwise hit.
If you have a pair of sixes: Split if the dealer has 2 thru 6 - otherwise hit.
If you have a pair of sevens: Split 2 thru 7 - otherwise hit.
If you have a pair of nines: Split 2 thru 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer has 7, 10 or Ace.
If you have a pair of tens: Always Stand.
For players looking to learn effective blackjack strategies, the strategy start is the best way to start!