Blackjack is one of the rare casino games where skill and strategy can tip the odds even slightly in the player’s favor over the long run. Unlike purely luck-based games such as slots or roulette, blackjack rewards players who apply mathematical strategy and disciplined play. With a solid approach, patience, and persistence, you can walk away from the table more often as a winner.
This guide will walk you through the fundamentals of blackjack strategy, explain essential terms, and provide a step-by-step decision framework for a single-deck blackjack game where the dealer hits on a soft 17 one of the more common rule variations.
Why Strategy Matters in Blackjack
At its core, blackjack strategy is built on probability and statistical analysis. By knowing the optimal move for every possible hand-versus-dealer situation, you can minimize the casino’s edge and make decisions that increase your winning potential.
Learning and memorizing this strategy typically takes about an hour, but the investment pays off. While you won’t win every hand no strategy can guarantee that you will reduce costly mistakes and improve your long-term results.
It’s important to note that rules vary from casino to casino. In some venues, blackjack is played with a single deck; in others, it may involve four, six, or even eight decks. The dealer’s rules also differ — in some casinos the dealer hits on a soft 17, while in others they must stand. Doubling after splitting may be allowed in certain places and forbidden in others. Always check the table rules before playing.
Essential Blackjack Terms to Know
Before diving into the strategy, let’s review some important terms:
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Hard Hand: A starting hand without an Ace, or with an Ace that counts as 1 rather than 11.
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Soft Hand: A starting hand containing an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace-6 is a “soft 17”).
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Stand: To keep your current hand without drawing more cards.
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Hit: To take another card from the dealer.
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Double: To double your initial bet after the first two cards, receiving exactly one additional card.
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Split: To separate a pair into two separate hands, each played individually with an additional bet.
Basic Single-Deck Blackjack Strategy (Dealer Hits on Soft 17)
Below is a simplified decision guide for the most common scenarios:
Hard Hands
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8 or less: Always hit.
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9: Double if dealer shows 3–6; otherwise, hit.
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10: Double if dealer shows 2–9; otherwise, hit.
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11: Double if dealer shows 2–10; otherwise, hit.
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13–16: Stand if dealer shows 2–6; otherwise, hit.
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17 or more: Stand.
Soft Hands (Hands with an Ace)
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Ace-2 / Ace-3: Double if dealer shows 5 or 6; otherwise, hit.
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Ace-4 / Ace-5: Double if dealer shows 4–6; otherwise, hit.
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Ace-6: Double if dealer shows 3–6; otherwise, hit.
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Ace-7: Stand if dealer shows 2, 7, or 8; double if dealer shows 3–6; otherwise, hit.
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Ace-8 / Ace-9: Always stand.
Pairs
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2s / 3s: Split if dealer shows 2–7; otherwise, hit.
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4s: Split if dealer shows 4 or 5; otherwise, hit.
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5s: Double if dealer shows 2–9; otherwise, hit.
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6s: Split if dealer shows 2–6; otherwise, hit.
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7s: Split if dealer shows 2–7; otherwise, hit.
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8s: Always split.
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9s: Split if dealer shows 2–7 or 8–9; otherwise, stand.
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10s: Always stand.
Additional Winning Tips
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Manage Your Bankroll: Set limits for both wins and losses before you sit down at the table. Stick to them.
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Avoid Insurance Bets: Insurance rarely benefits the player in the long run and increases the house edge.
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Play Sober and Focused: Distraction leads to mistakes, and mistakes cost money.
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Adjust for Multi-Deck Games: While the core strategy remains similar, a few moves may change slightly depending on the number of decks.
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Don’t Chase Losses: Stay disciplined. Playing emotionally leads to bad decisions.
Blackjack isn’t about luck alone it’s about making smart, statistically sound decisions. By learning and applying the basic strategy, adapting to table rules, and managing your bankroll wisely, you can reduce the casino’s advantage and make the game more profitable over time.
Remember: even the best blackjack players face losing streaks, but with patience, the math will eventually work in your favor.
