Basic strategy in blackjack, defined
Basic strategy is a chart of decisions for blackjack: for each hand you hold and each card the dealer shows, it names one action. A chart is built for one set of table rules, so the same chart does not fit every table. It guides play; it does not promise a result. Checked 13 November 2026.
Re-check window: 365 days
How to read a chart
A chart is a grid. Your hand runs down the side and the dealer's visible card runs across the top.
| Part of the chart | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Rows | Your hand: hard totals, soft totals, pairs |
| Columns | The dealer's visible card |
| Cell | One action: hit, stand, double down or split |
| Notes below the chart | The table rules the chart assumes |
We do not reproduce a chart here, because we have not recorded a source with a date for one rule set. Our method asks for one.
Why the rules change the chart
The same hand can call for a different action when a rule changes. The dealer's soft 17 rule is one such input; the number of decks and the payout are others.
Before you use a chart, compare its assumed rules with the ones in the table's panel. See reading a table's rules.
An example of a decision: a chart might tell you to double down on a given hand against a given dealer card. We name no actual hand here, because the answer depends on the chart's rule set and a cited source.
What it is not
It is not a system for winning. It does not remove the house edge, and it does not predict the next card.
It is also not a betting system. How you size bets is a separate matter; see the Martingale system.
Whether following a chart reduces the edge is a claim we check separately in does basic strategy cut the house edge. The RTP link is covered in RTP in blackjack.
Quick answers
- What is basic strategy?
A set of decisions, one for each combination of your hand and the dealer's visible card, worked out for a given set of table rules.
- How do I read the chart?
Find your hand in the rows, the dealer's visible card in the columns, and read the action where they meet, such as hit, stand, double down or split.
- Is one chart right for every table?
No. The chart depends on the table's rules, such as the dealer's soft 17 rule and the number of decks. Use a chart built for the rules you can see.
- Does it guarantee a result?
No. It does not remove the house edge or predict any session. Whether it reduces the edge is checked on a separate page.