This is a complete blackjack basic strategy chart. It shows the mathematically correct play for every hand against every dealer upcard. Use the toggles to match your table’s rules — the chart updates in real time. You can also download a printable PDF below.
How to Read This Chart
Find your hand on the left side of the chart, then find the dealer’s upcard along the top. The cell where they meet tells you the correct play. Here are three examples:
Why Basic Strategy Works
Basic strategy reduces the house edge from roughly 2–5% (what a typical player faces using gut feeling) down to about 0.5%, depending on the specific rules at your table. That number comes from computer simulations running hundreds of millions of hands.
To make that tangible: if you bet $10 per hand and play 100 hands per hour, the difference between gut-feeling play and basic strategy is roughly $15–$45 per hour in expected savings. Over a four-hour casino session, that’s $60–$180 you keep in your pocket.
An important caveat: basic strategy doesn’t make you a long-term winner. The casino still has a mathematical edge. But it shrinks that edge to the absolute minimum possible without counting cards.
Rule Variations & Their Impact on House Edge
Not all blackjack tables are created equal. The specific rules posted on the table placard have a direct, measurable effect on the house edge:
| Rule Change | Effect on House Edge |
|---|---|
| Dealer hits soft 17 (H17) vs. stands (S17) | +0.20% |
| No double after split (vs. DAS allowed) | +0.14% |
| No surrender (vs. late surrender allowed) | +0.08% |
| 6/8 decks vs. single deck | +0.48% |
| 6:5 blackjack payout (vs. 3:2) | +1.39% |
Before you sit down, check the table placard. Look for 3:2 blackjack payouts, S17 (dealer stands on soft 17), and double after split allowed. Avoid 6:5 games entirely.
Can You Bring a Strategy Card to the Casino?
Yes. The vast majority of casinos allow strategy cards at the blackjack table. Many casinos sell them in their own gift shops. Some dealers will even help you make the correct play if you ask.
Keep it off the felt. Most casinos allow the card, but some don’t want it sitting on the playing surface. Hold it in your hand or keep it on the rail beside your chips.
Don’t slow the game down. If you’re checking the card for every single hand, other players may get impatient. Play at a quieter table while you’re learning.
Online, there are zero restrictions. You can have the chart open on your phone, a second monitor, or printed and taped to your wall.
Common Mistakes Even with Basic Strategy
Printable PDF Strategy Cards
Download printable basic strategy cards in PDF format. We have wallet-sized and full-page versions for the most common rule sets.
Beyond Basic Strategy — What’s Next
Basic strategy is the foundation. Here’s what comes next for players who want to go deeper:
Start with the interactive chart above and the printable PDFs. Master the basics first.