Basic Blackjack Strategy: How to Win in Online Blackjack (2024)

Are you looking to take out the guesswork from your blackjack game and play with more confidence? You’ve come to the right page. In this guide, we’ll discuss the basics of blackjack strategy, which can help you make informed decisions every time you play. Understanding this strategy can help you lower the house edge and boost your morale at the table. Let’s get into the details.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Learn about the best blackjack tips and strategies
Find out how to use a basic strategy blackjack chart
Learn when to hit, stand, split, and double down in blackjack

Why Use Basic Blackjack Strategies?

If you’re wondering how to win in blackjack, know that it is not just another guessing game; it requires a strategy to give you an edge. Although knowing these basic tips doesn’t always guarantee a win, they still help you make better decisions, minimizing your loss.

Most blackjack strategies are based on statistics and can show you when to take certain actions. Using a basic blackjack strategy can reduce the house edge from 2% to as low as 0.5%. It means you’ll lose less and win more often in the long run.

Basic Blackjack Strategy #1: Knowing When to Hit

Knowing when to hit blackjack is crucial if you want to win. Deciding to hit during a blackjack game means asking the dealer for another card to improve your hand. It’s a key move when your cards are too weak to beat the dealer.

When to Hit in Blackjack

You can consider taking a hit in blackjack when your hand is weak or when the probability of the dealer winning with their upcard is greater than the chance of your hand busting. Several factors can affect blackjack when to hit:

Dealer’s upcard: If the dealer shows a 7 or higher, it increases their chances of making a strong hand, so you may need to hit more often.
Player’s hand value: The higher your hand, the greater the risk of busting. Lower hands allow for safer hits.
Game variations: Knowing when to hit in blackjack single deck is easier since it has fewer cards. You can guess what’s left in the deck, which helps you decide. In multi-deck games, strategy tends to be more conservative since predicting card outcomes is harder.

Here are some common scenarios:

Hard 14: Go for a hit when the dealer shows 7 or higher because they’ll likely have a strong hand.
Hard 16: Hit if the dealer shows 7 or higher since you risk losing to a strong hand.
Hard 12: Hitting is recommended if the dealer shows 2, 3, 7, or higher, as their chances of forming a strong hand increase.
Hard 17: Never hit on a hard 17, as your bust risk is too high. If you have a soft 17 (Ace + 6), hit when the dealer shows 7 or higher for a chance to improve your hand.

When Not to Hit in Blackjack

There are specific situations where blackjack hit is not recommended. This is due to the high risk of busting or your hand is already strong enough. Here are the key scenarios from the blackjack hit chart:

Hard 17 or Higher: If your hand totals 17 or more without an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., 10-7), don’t hit. Most cards will make you bust.
Dealer Shows 2-6: When the dealer shows a low card, like 2 through 6, they’re pretty likely to go over 21. So if you’ve got 12 to 16, hang onto what you’ve got.
Pairs of 10s or Face Cards: If you have two 10s or face cards, you’re sitting pretty with 20. You’re better off standing in this case.

Fact: The probability of busting when hitting a hard 16 is approximately 62%.

When Does a Dealer Have to Hit in Blackjack?

When playing online blackjack, dealers must hit until they get to 17 or higher. This is pretty much the same everywhere, though some platforms make dealers hit on a soft 17.

This rule for dealers to hit can affect how you play. For instance, if a dealer has 16, they have to take another card, even if it might bust them. This may cause you to stick with a lower hand (like 12 to 16) if you see the dealer has a weak card showing (26), hoping they’ll go over 21. Casinos have these rules in place to keep things fair and consistent for everyone.

Basic Blackjack Strategy #2: Knowing When to Split

“Splitting” in blackjack refers to dividing a pair of identical cards into two different hands. If you are dealt a pair (two 8s, for example), you can split them by betting an extra amount equal to your initial stake. Then, you can play two hands at once since each fresh hand gets an extra card. This method can help to maximize possible gains or limit losses, especially with pairs like Aces or 8s.

Facts: Correctly splitting pairs can reduce the house edge by up to 0.4%

When to Split in Blackjack

When you have a pair in blackjack (two cards of the same rank), you can split your cards if you think it will improve your chances of winning. But here’s the thing—you must pay attention to the dealer’s upcard. This is because it tells you how likely they are to go bust or end up with a strong hand. When the dealer has a weak card (2–6), you should usually split because they have a higher chance of busting.

Here are some common scenarios for splitting:

Pair of Aces: Go for a split if you have a pair of Aces. It gives you two shots at hitting blackjack, one with each Ace. That’s doubling your chances of landing a 21.
The dealer has a bust card: If the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 face up, think about splitting. These are called “bust cards” because the dealer’s pretty likely to go over 21. Splitting here could help you cash in on that.

In addition, there are specific pairs you can split. Check them out below:

When to split 2s in blackjack: You can split this pair if the dealer shows a 2-7.
When to split 4s in blackjack: Split if the dealer shows a 5 or 6 (favorable for the dealer’s bust).
When to split 7s in blackjack: Go for a split if the dealer shows 2-7.
When to split 8s in blackjack: Always split, regardless of the dealer’s upcard as this creates two hands of 8, which are stronger than a total of 16.,
When to split 10s in blackjack: Never split, as a total of 20 is very strong.

Keep in mind that when playing versions like Multihand Blackjack, the basic strategy remains the same. However, be aware of house rules that might limit re-splitting or doubling down after a split.

Facts: Some casinos allow you to resplit pairs (like aces), which can significantly improve your winning potential.

When Not to Split

There are situations where splitting is not recommended in blackjack. Check them out below:

Pair of 5s: Instead of splitting, treat them as a total of 10 and aim for a strong hand by hitting or doubling down.
Pair of 10s: A total of 20 is a strong hand, so it’s best to keep it as is.
Pair of 6s: Avoid splitting if the dealer shows a 7 or higher, as the chances of improving your hand are low.

Basic Blackjack Strategy #3: Knowing When to Double Down

Doubling down is a blackjack strategy where you double your initial wager in exchange for only getting one more card. This option is available immediately after the initial two cards are dealt. In live games, signal the dealer with one finger or click the “Double Down” button when you’re playing blackjack online.

The double-down strategy has a big effect: it raises your winning potential but also increases the risk since you can only draw one more card.

Fact: Different casinos have unique rules about when and how you can double down.

When to Double Down in Blackjack

Doubling down in blackjack and when to do it.

Deciding when to double down in blackjack depends on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Here’s the breakdown of the factors:

Dealer’s Card: Watch what card the dealer shows. If it’s low (2-6), you might want to double down since the dealer could bust. But if it’s high (7-Ace), the dealer has a chance of making a good hand, so doubling down is risky.
Player’s Hand: You can double down on 10 or 11 since you have a high chance of getting favorable cards. Soft hands like Ace and 7 can be good, too, if the dealer looks weak.
Game Variation: Single-deck games allow you to better predict what card is coming, so doubling down can work well. Multi-deck games are trickier—more cards mean more surprises in the cards you draw.

Here are key hands where you should double down:

Hand value of 9: Double down if the dealer’s upcard is weak (3-6). This improves your chances of getting a strong hand while the dealer is more likely to bust.
Hand value of 10 or 11: Use the double down strategy if your total is 10 and the dealer’s upcard is 9 or lower. For 11, double down regardless of the dealer’s upcard, as your chances of hitting 21 are high.
Soft 16-18 (Ace and 5-7): Double down when the dealer has a weak card (3-6). The Ace gives flexibility since it can act as a 1 or 11, improving your chances of a strong hand.

Note that doubling down increases your bet, which means you can lose more if the hand doesn’t go your way. If you win, you double your profit, making it a high-reward strategy when used correctly.

Fact: Doubling down with soft hands (Ace counted as 11) provides flexibility and less bust risk.

When Not to Double Down in Blackjack

Here are situations where you should avoid blackjack double down:

Dealer’s Card is an Ace: When the dealer’s up card is an Ace, it’s best to hold off on doubling down. There’s a good chance they might hit blackjack with the first two cards.
Hard 12 or Higher: Don’t double down on hard 12 or higher. You run the risk of drawing a 10-point card and going bust.
When Chasing Losses: Personally, I don’t double down when in hopes of recovering a loss. This is because it increases the risk of losing even more money.

Basic Blackjack Strategy #4: Knowing When to Stand

Another solid strategy to know if you want to win in blackjack is when to stand. In blackjack, “stand” means sticking with your current cards and not drawing anymore. It means you’re satisfied with your hand and ready to see how it stacks up against the dealer’s.

Fact: Standing in blackjack is optimal with 17 or higher, especially against a weak dealer upcard (2-6).

When to Stand in Blackjack

Knowing when to stand in blackjack is vital to increase your chances of winning. Let’s break it down:

Hand Value 12-16: Stand if the dealer shows a low card (2 to 6). Why? The dealer is more likely to go bust with those cards, so avoiding drawing more cards and not risking busting yourself is safer.
Hand Value 17 or More: Always stand. At this point, the odds of going bust are too high if you draw another card.
Soft 18 (A, 7): A soft 18 ( an Ace and a 7) can be a bit tricky. But usually, if the dealer’s showing anything from 2 to 8, you’re better off standing. They’re less likely to end up with a stronger hand, so standing gives you a decent shot at coming out on top. For example, if you have a soft 18 and the dealer shows a 6, standing is a good decision as the dealer is likely to bust or end up with a lower total.

The table below provides a blackjack standing guide.

Your Hand	Dealer’s Upcard	Action
12-16	2-6	Stand
17+	Any	Stand
Soft 18	2-8	Stand

Fact: Properly applying basic blackjack strategy, including knowing when to stand, can lower the house edge to around 0.5%.

When Does the Dealer Have to Stand in Blackjack?

Dealers have to stand in blackjack once they hit 17 or higher. This rule is almost the same everywhere, but some casinos shake things up. They might make the dealer hit on a soft 17 (a hand containing an Ace valued at 11 (such as A-6)), which slightly favors the house. This rule for dealers to stand can affect players’ decisions.

For example, if a dealer shows a hand of 10 and 7 (totaling 17), they must stand. This might lead players with hands totaling 16 or lower to reconsider their strategies, as they know the dealer won’t improve their hand. Casinos establish these rules to balance blackjack player odds and house advantage, making gameplay more engaging and competitive.

Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart

A simple strategy chart for blackjack is a visual aid that assists you in choosing the optimal play for each potential hand. It offers a fast reference for player hands and dealer upcards to determine whether to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender. The Techopedia blackjack strategy chart is one we recommend. Here is how to use it:

Locate Your Hand: On the left side of the chart, take a look at your cards’ combined value.
Find the Upcard from the Dealer: Locate the visible dealer card at the top of the chart.
Choose the Course of Action: Locate the cell where the row and column intersect by following them. You can find the best move by looking at this cell.

For instance, when the dealer displays a 2 and your hand total is 12, the chart recommends hitting. On the other hand, if you have a 16 and the dealer shows a 10, the chart recommends standing.

Variations of Basic Strategy Based on House Rules

Basic strategy can vary slightly depending on specific house rules:

Number of Decks: While multi-deck games require a more cautious approach, single-deck games tend to favor aggressive strategies like doubling down.
Dealer Stands or Hits on Soft 17: If the dealer hits Soft 17, you’ll need to adjust your strategy to account for the increased likelihood of the dealer improving their hand.
Availability of Surrender: Should surrender be permitted, you can cut down on your losses by giving up under certain circumstances, such as when you have a hard 16 versus a dealer’s 10.

Always check the house rules before applying basic strategy to ensure optimal play.

How to Memorize Blackjack Basic Strategy Efficiently

Breaking the basic blackjack strategy chart down into small sections and creating some mnemonics can help you memorize it faster. One common place to start is by concentrating on one part of the chart, such as hard totals, soft totals or pairs. In those cases, come up with a mnemonic device to help you remember the big ones, such as “Always Split Aces and Eights” or “Stand on Hard 17.”

Practice regularly with flashcards or apps designed for blackjack strategy. Practice Often—Repeat the chart every day, and never forget. Practice simulated gaming scenarios to learn more and improve your confidence.

What I personally did was break the charts up into parts, and practice over time. This gave me higher confidence, allowing me to make faster decisions in live play.

So, Do You Know How to Win in Blackjack Now?

Now that we’ve discussed all about blackjack basic strategy and how it can reduce the house edge, you should be well on your way to winning the game. Use these strategies in your next game to help you make more informed decisions and improve your gameplay.

Do you wish to learn other advanced strategies? Check out how you can use the Martingale strategy in blackjack!