Understand the Blackjack Chart Like a Pro

For experienced Blackjack players, the game often becomes less about luck and more about mastering strategy. One of the most critical tools in any seasoned player’s arsenal is the Blackjack Strategy Chart. But for beginner players, the chart is just as critical as it helps them understand the game on a deeper level.

This chart provides the optimal decisions for every possible hand combination, based on statistical probabilities. Understanding and memorizing these strategies can reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning at blackjack.

This guide will delve deep into the nuances of the chart and offer additional strategies for new and advanced players alike. You may read this article and familiarize yourself with this chart before attempting to play blackjack online, to be in a better position to win.

Blackjack Strategy Chart

The Blackjack Strategy Chart is a graphical representation of the best moves you can make, depending on your hand and the dealer’s upcard.

It covers various scenarios, including hard totals, soft totals, splits, and surrenders. Thanks to the chart, you can make decisions that statistically offer the best chance of success.

What the Chart Teaches:

Optimal Moves: It outlines when to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender.
Minimizing Losses: Helps in knowing when to surrender or stand, minimizing potential losses.
Maximizing Wins: Guides you on when to double down or split, thereby maximizing potential gains.

Blackjack Strategy in Phrases

Surrenders
Surrendering allows you to forfeit half of your bet and exit the round. This option is valuable when the odds are heavily against you, helping to minimize losses over the long term.

Key Situations for Surrender:

16 surrenders against dealer 9 through Ace: When holding a hard 16 against a dealer’s strong upcard (9, 10, Ace), the chances of losing are high. Surrendering here minimizes losses.
15 surrenders against dealer 10: Similarly, a hard 15 against a dealer’s 10 is a weak hand. Surrendering in this scenario can be a prudent decision.

If surrendering isn’t an option, revert to playing based on hard totals, as described below.

Splits
Splitting is when you have a pair and decide to split them into two separate hands, doubling your bet. This is only advisable in specific situations where splitting can lead to stronger hands.

Key Splitting Rules:

Always split aces: Aces are powerful, and splitting them increases the chance of hitting a 10 for a 21. That’s because an Ace can be counted as both a 1 and an 11, depending on what your hand needs.
Never split tens: A pair of tens gives you 20, an excellent hand. Splitting them usually leads to weaker hands. You lessen your chance of hitting 21 with two weaker hands. Without splitting, you’re more likely to win as 20 is a really strong hand.
Split a pair of 9s against a dealer showing 2 through 9, except for 7; otherwise, stand: This maximizes the chance of improving your hand without significant risk.
Always split 8s: A hard 16 is weak, but two new hands starting with 8 can potentially become stronger.
Split a pair of 7s against a dealer showing 2 through 7; otherwise, hit: Against these upcards, the dealer is more likely to bust, making splitting advantageous.
Split a pair of 6s against a dealer showing 2 through 6; otherwise, hit: Splitting can lead to better hands against weak dealer upcards.
Double a pair of 5s against a dealer showing 2 through 9; otherwise, hit: Doubling down here can result in a strong hand.
Split a pair of 4s against a dealer showing 5 and 6; otherwise, hit: Generally, splitting 4s isn’t advisable, but it can be beneficial against weak dealer upcards.
Split a pair of 3s against a dealer showing 2 through 7; otherwise, hit: Similar to 2s, splitting here gives you a better chance against the dealer’s weaker cards.
Split a pair of 2s against a dealer showing 2 through 7; otherwise, hit: This can increase your chances of forming strong hands.

Hard Totals
Hard totals refer to hands without an Ace or where the Ace counts as 1, making it impossible to convert the hand into a soft total.

The image shows a blackjack table with several cards laid out face-up. The green felt surface of the table is marked with various betting areas and numbers. In the foreground, there are an ace of diamonds and a king of diamonds, indicating a strong hand in blackjack, likely a "blackjack" or a 21. A stack of poker chips sits nearby on one of the betting spots. The table's curved layout is visible, with more cards and chips placed farther along the arc. The scene is dimly lit, with a player’s hand reaching toward the cards, adding to the tension of the game.

Key Strategies:

Stand on 17 and up: With hard totals of 17 or more, standing is the safest option to avoid busting. You are simply too close to getting over 21 otherwise.
With 16, stand against a dealer showing 2 through 6; otherwise, hit: Against weaker dealer upcards, the chances of the dealer busting are higher.
With 15, stand against a dealer showing 2 through 6; otherwise, hit: Similar to the strategy with 16, standing here capitalizes on the dealer’s potential weakness.
With 14, stand against a dealer showing 2 through 6; otherwise, hit: Following the same logic, it’s best to stand here.
With 13, stand against a dealer showing 2 through 6; otherwise, hit: Standing is the safer move against a potential dealer bust.
With 12, stand against a dealer showing 4 through 6; otherwise, hit: This is a tricky hand, but standing is generally better against these dealer cards.
Always double with 11: You’re in a strong position to hit a high card, making doubling down lucrative.
With 10, double against a dealer showing 2 through 9; otherwise, hit: Doubling can be profitable if the dealer is likely to bust or end up with a weaker hand.
With 9, double against a dealer showing 3 through 6; otherwise, hit: Doubling down here takes advantage of the dealer’s potential weaknesses.
Always hit with 8: This is a weak hand, so hitting is the best option.

Soft Totals

Soft totals involve hands with an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11, providing flexibility in strategy.

Key Strategies:

Always stand with Soft 20 (A,9): A soft 20 is strong; there’s little to gain by risking another card.
With Soft 19 (A,8), double against a dealer showing 6; otherwise, stand: Doubling down can turn a strong hand into an even better one against a weak dealer card.
With Soft 18 (A,7), double against a dealer showing 2 through 6, hit against 9 through Ace; otherwise, stand: This hand can be improved or converted to a stronger total.
With Soft 17 (A,6), double against a dealer showing 3 through 6; otherwise, hit: Doubling down can capitalize on weak dealer upcards.
With Soft 16 (A,5), double against a dealer showing 4 through 6; otherwise, hit: Doubling here can improve your odds of getting a strong hand.
With Soft 15 (A,4), double against a dealer showing 4 through 6; otherwise, hit: The same logic applies as with a soft 16.
With Soft 14 (A,3), double against a dealer showing 5 through 6; otherwise, hit: Doubling down can be profitable against these dealer cards.
With Soft 13 (A,2), double against a dealer showing 5 through 6; otherwise, hit: A soft 13 is weak, but doubling down can make it a strong hand.

The image depicts an empty blackjack table in a dimly lit, luxurious casino setting. On the green felt surface of the table, there are two playing cards face-up in the foreground: an ace of spades and a king of hearts, which together form a "blackjack." Nearby, there are several neatly stacked poker chips. The background shows soft, warm lighting with blurred slot machines and seating, enhancing the atmosphere of a high-end casino. The overall scene conveys a sense of anticipation and quiet tension, typical of a moment before or after a game.

Chart Tips

How Do I Memorize All This?

Memorizing the Blackjack Strategy Chart can seem daunting, but breaking it down into sections can help. Start with the most common scenarios, such as hard totals and the rules for doubling down. Then, move on to softer totals and split decisions.

Flashcards or mobile apps can also aid in memorization. The more you practice, the more natural it will become to recall these strategies quickly.

And while you’re still learning, you can always keep this guide open in a separate tab while you play.

Can I/Should I Surrender?

Surrendering is a valuable option when used correctly, especially in situations where your hand is significantly weaker than the dealer’s upcard.

If you’re playing at a table that offers the surrender option, use it to minimize losses in high-risk situations, such as a hard 16 against a dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace.

Should I Hit or Should I Stand?

This decision often depends on the dealer’s upcard and your hand’s total. Generally, if your hand total is 12 or higher, and the dealer shows a weak upcard (2 through 6), you should stand.

If the dealer has a strong upcard (7 through Ace), hitting might be necessary to improve your hand. Use the chart as a guide for these decisions, as it’s based on statistical probabilities designed to give you the best chance of winning.

FAQ

What is the house edge in Blackjack?
The house edge in Blackjack typically ranges from 0.5% to 1% when using basic strategy, making it one of the lowest in the casino.

What should I do if the dealer has an Ace showing?
If the dealer has an Ace showing, consider taking insurance if offered, although it’s generally not recommended due to the high house edge. Otherwise, follow the basic strategy chart for the best course of action based on your hand.

When should I double down?
You should double down when your hand has a good chance of beating the dealer’s hand. Key opportunities include when you have a total of 10 or 11, and the dealer has a lower upcard.

Is it better to play at a full or empty table?
Playing at a full table means fewer hands per hour, which can help stretch your bankroll. But, it also means less control over the game pace. It’s a personal preference, but a full table generally offers a more social experience and can slightly reduce the house edge due to fewer hands being played.