Blackjack Basic Strategy for Beginners

Blackjack is unusual among casino games because your decisions matter. Basic strategy is a set of rules, worked out by computer simulation, that shows the best move for every combination of your hand and the dealer's visible card.

The goal

Finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Number cards count at face value, picture cards count as 10 and aces count as 1 or 11.

Core rules to remember

1. Always stand on hard 17 or more.
2. Always hit hard 8 or less.
3. With 12–16, stand if the dealer shows 2–6 (except hit 12 against 2 or 3); otherwise hit.
4. Double down on 11 against any dealer card except an ace.
5. Double down on 10 when the dealer shows 2–9.

Quick reference

What basic strategy can and cannot do

Basic strategy reduces the house edge to a small percentage, but it does not remove it. Over time the casino still has an advantage. Treat it as a way to play well, not as a way to win money.