Basic Blackjack strategy charts provide optimal recommendations based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard to minimize the house edge. The strategy is based on the type of hand you have: hard hands (no Ace or Ace counted as 1), soft hands (Ace counted as 11), and pairs.
For hard hands, the general approach is to hit when your hand is weak (8 or less), stand when you have a strong hand (17+), and double down on totals like 9-11 if the dealer’s upcard is weak. With soft hands, you’re more flexible, often doubling down on hands like Ace-2 to Ace-6 when the dealer has a weak card, but standing when you have a strong total (Ace-7 or higher). Pair splitting is another key part of the strategy, with pairs like 8s and Aces always being split, while others like 10s should never be split.
The strategy also considers the dealer’s upcard. If the dealer shows a weak card (2-6), you’re more likely to stand or double down because the dealer is at a higher risk of busting. If the dealer shows a strong card (7-Ace), you might need to take more risks, such as hitting or doubling on certain hands.
In some games, surrender may be an option, which is usually recommended for weak hands like hard 15 or 16 against a dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace. Overall, the goal is to use the chart to guide decisions for each possible situation, ensuring you make the mathematically optimal play
For hard hands, the general approach is to hit when your hand is weak (8 or less), stand when you have a strong hand (17+), and double down on totals like 9-11 if the dealer’s upcard is weak. With soft hands, you’re more flexible, often doubling down on hands like Ace-2 to Ace-6 when the dealer has a weak card, but standing when you have a strong total (Ace-7 or higher). Pair splitting is another key part of the strategy, with pairs like 8s and Aces always being split, while others like 10s should never be split.
The strategy also considers the dealer’s upcard. If the dealer shows a weak card (2-6), you’re more likely to stand or double down because the dealer is at a higher risk of busting. If the dealer shows a strong card (7-Ace), you might need to take more risks, such as hitting or doubling on certain hands.
In some games, surrender may be an option, which is usually recommended for weak hands like hard 15 or 16 against a dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace. Overall, the goal is to use the chart to guide decisions for each possible situation, ensuring you make the mathematically optimal play