Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

6-deck, dealer stands on soft 17 (S17). The mathematically optimal play for every hand. House edge with perfect basic strategy: ~0.5%.

S — Stand H — Hit D — Double (else Hit) Ds — Double (else Stand) P — Split Ph — Split (else Hit)

Hard Hands

Your Hand 2345678910A
8 or less HHHHHHHHHH
9 HDDDDHHHHH
10 DDDDDDDDHH
11 DDDDDDDDDH
12 HHSSSHHHHH
13 SSSSSHHHHH
14 SSSSSHHHHH
15 SSSSSHHHHH
16 SSSSSHHHHH
17+ SSSSSSSSSS

Soft Hands (Ace + X)

Your Hand 2345678910A
A-2 (soft 13) HHHDDHHHHH
A-3 (soft 14) HHHDDHHHHH
A-4 (soft 15) HHDDDHHHHH
A-5 (soft 16) HHDDDHHHHH
A-6 (soft 17) HDDDDHHHHH
A-7 (soft 18) DsDsDsDsDsSSHHH
A-8 (soft 19) SSSSDsSSSSS
A-9 (soft 20) SSSSSSSSSS

Pairs (Split?)

Pair 2345678910A
2-2 PhPhPPPPHHHH
3-3 PhPhPPPPHHHH
4-4 HHHPhPhHHHHH
5-5 DDDDDDDDHH
6-6 PhPPPPHHHHH
7-7 PPPPPPHHHH
8-8 PPPPPPPPPP
9-9 PPPPPSPPSS
10-10 SSSSSSSSSS
A-A PPPPPPPPPP

Rules Assumed by This Chart

  • • 6 decks
  • • Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17)
  • • Double after split allowed (DAS)
  • • Late surrender allowed (where noted)
  • • Blackjack pays 3:2

If your table uses different rules (H17, no DAS, 6:5 blackjack), a few plays change — most critically: never play 6:5 blackjack.

Practice at the Table → Read the Strategy Guide