Blackjack Basic Strategy

There’s a generic basic strategy to playing Blackjack that may seem counter-intuitive at times, but it’s based on calculating the player advantage when facing the most common rules and situations in the majority of U.S. casinos. Many experts recommend sticking to basic strategy on every Blackjack hand.

You should learn how to read a basic strategy chart properly, and then follow its rules each time you play. Most of all, you must practice a lot before you enter a Blackjack game in any casino. A good way to practice is to play online free.

Learn blackjack basic strategy online free

Below you’ll see our blackjack strategy chart that you can adjust based on different blackjack game rules. We suggest using Bodog Casino’s free (no download) blackjack in one window or tab and our basic blackjack strategy chart in a separate window or tab. This way, you can switch back and forth as your practice learning blackjack strategy.

Basic Strategy Chart Settings for Bodog Casino Blackjack

Bodog is one of my favorite places to play blackjack online. You should check out this post to see how you can get a $200 cashable bonus to play with at Bodog.

If you are thinking about playing Bodog blackjack, use the strategy card provided below with these settings:

• # of Decks: 6
• Dealer on Soft 17: Hits
• Can Double Down On: Any
• Double After Split? Yes
• Can Surrender?: Early
• Dealer Blackjack: Peaks

Provided by Online-Casinos.com. For more Blackjack resources, click here.

Basic Strategy When You’re Allowed to Double-Down after Splitting

If the house rules allow you to double-down after splitting a pair, you’re more likely to win on splits. Under these conditions, split a few more pairs than you might otherwise. Doubling-down after splitting, when using basic strategy, helps increase your expected win rate by +0.14 percent, if you use the techniques in the following chart.

The dealer’s “up” card is the card that’s face up; all the players can see it before they play their hands. The “hole” card is the card that’s face down. You don’t get to see that card until after everyone plays his or her hand.

Remember: If you double down after splitting a pair, this tactic only changes the basic strategy on that split. You should continue to make the rest of your playing choices according to basic strategy.

It’s not easy to count cards

Don’t let The Count from “Sesame Street” fool you: It’s not as easy as 1-2-3 to count cards in a Blackjack game. Novices, unless they’re mathematical savants like Raymond from the movie “Rain Man,” hardly ever count cards effectively. Some skilled amateurs and professionals eventually learn it, but it takes a lot of effort.

Here’s how card counting works:

If cards aren’t shuffled between rounds, then the cards used in one round of Blackjack are set aside until the next shuffle. Each hand thereafter is composed of cards not used since the deck was last shuffled.

A player who counts cards uses a system to track and assign a value to each card played. Using the total count, the player raises his bet when he has the advantage, and lowers his bet when the dealer has the advantage.

Card counters look for a higher percentage of 10s and Aces. A deck that has lots of 10s and Aces tends to favor the players, while a deck with lots of low cards (6 and under) favors the dealer.

A popular card-counting system is known as high-low or hi-lo. This strategy assigns the value of +1 to each low card, -1 to each 10 and Ace and 0 to each 7, 8 and 9.

Card counting can increase a player’s win rate, but it takes many hours of practice and concentration. It’s better to learn basic strategy completely first before trying to learn how to count cards.

Take advantage of every advantage

Smart players take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way in Blackjack. These include looking for the most favorable playing conditions and adhering to basic strategy. The best way to accomplish this is to keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.

One ethical issue that nearly every Blackjack player will face at some time is when there’s an incorrect payoff in your favor. Maybe the dealer is inexperienced, or perhaps he or she is tired from a long shift (if you think it’s easy, then you try standing on your feet dealing cards for hours on end!).

Whatever causes it to happen, incorrect payoffs favoring the players do happen, and then the player has to decide whether he or she is going to tell the dealer about it. In most cases, the player who decides, “mum’s the word” picks up a hefty take.

The reason this can be considered appropriate is that it isn’t the player’s responsibility to notify the house that procedures have been violated. Every casino has many security cameras, pit bosses and processes that should protect the house from errors or incompetence. That’s their job, not yours.

Sometimes this kind of error will happen to everyone at a table, in which case all players begin to sense what’s going on and anticipate whether anyone will spill the beans about the incorrect payoffs. If this happens in several rounds, usually all players get a win, and the winner with the biggest payoff will usually “toke” the dealer in thanks. (A “toke” is a tip to the dealer in chips or money).

Bottom line: If the error is in the house’s favor, speak up. If it’s in a player’s favor, shut up.

One advantage to playing Blackjack is that players often rake in more than chips. Blackjack players often are given “comps” by casinos, which are “complimentary” meals, tickets to shows at the casino’s hotel, etc. Betting big when the pit boss is looking is one way to mark yourself as a player worthy of some comps.

One final note: Taking advantage of common human error is one thing; cheating is an entirely different situation. Conspiring with the dealer or marking the cards are considered felonies, which could gain you an unhappy, win of several years in the pokey.

Stick to Basic Strategy

There’s no shame in playing more slowly and asking the dealer for help when you’re a beginner. For instance, say you just took a hit on a soft hand and you’re having difficulty counting the points. You can reasonably ask the dealer to count the points for you.

On the other hand, don’t take the advice of anyone else on how to play your hand. Keep to your basic strategy.

Truth is, most blackjack players don’t know basic strategy. Friendly players might be willing to counsel you on how to play, but if they aren’t following basic strategy their advice won’t be worth the price of your bet.

What’s more, for basic strategy to work you have to use it consistently, not play a hunch on one hand and then revert to strategy on the next. In the long run, basic strategy will work for you more often than not.

Also don’t let the dealer play your cards for you. For instance, suppose you have a hand on which most people stand, but you don’t want to stand. Don’t let the dealer pass you over. Should you decide to hit, split, or double down, be sure you have your hand or chips out before the dealer reaches you.

Always check the payout when you win. If it’s not right, ask the dealer to double-check the payout before touching your chips.

Finally, don’t be dismayed if it seems like you have a lot to learn. You do, but that’s part of the fun of learning how to play Blackjack. Have fun at it.