What Is Basic Strategy?
Blackjack basic strategy is a mathematically proven set of decisions that tells you the optimal play for every possible hand combination against every possible dealer upcard. It was developed through computer simulations of millions of blackjack hands and represents the statistically best action to take in every situation.
By following basic strategy perfectly, you can reduce the house edge to under 0.5% - making blackjack one of the best-value casino games available. Without it, the house edge can climb to 2-4% depending on your decisions.
How Basic Strategy Reduces the House Edge
The standard house edge in blackjack (with a single deck and standard rules) is approximately 0.5% when using perfect basic strategy. This means that for every R100 wagered, you can expect to lose only R0.50 on average over the long run.
Compare this to slots (house edge of 3-6%) or American roulette (5.26%) and you can see why blackjack is the preferred game for value-conscious players. The key is consistency - you must apply basic strategy on every single hand, not just when you feel like it. Practice for free at our free games page before playing for real money.
Pro Tip
Always use basic strategy in blackjack. A single incorrect decision - like not doubling down on 11 against a dealer 6 - can cost you significant expected value over time. Print the chart or use a strategy card until the decisions become second nature.
Hard Hand Strategy
A hard hand is any hand without an Ace, or a hand where the Ace counts as 1. Here are the key rules:
- Hard 8 or less: Always hit
- Hard 9: Double if dealer shows 3-6, otherwise hit
- Hard 10: Double if dealer shows 2-9, otherwise hit
- Hard 11: Double if dealer shows 2-10, hit against dealer Ace
- Hard 12: Stand if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit
- Hard 13-16: Stand if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit
- Hard 17 or more: Always stand
Soft Hand Strategy
A soft hand contains an Ace counted as 11. Soft hands give you more flexibility because you cannot bust with one more card.
- Soft 13-14 (A-2, A-3): Double if dealer shows 5-6, otherwise hit
- Soft 15-16 (A-4, A-5): Double if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit
- Soft 17 (A-6): Double if dealer shows 3-6, otherwise hit
- Soft 18 (A-7): Double if dealer shows 2-6, stand against 7-8, hit against 9-10-Ace
- Soft 19-20 (A-8, A-9): Always stand
Pair Splitting Rules
When you are dealt two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. Here are the key splitting rules:
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Never split 10s, 5s, or 4s
- Split 2s and 3s if dealer shows 2-7
- Split 6s if dealer shows 2-6
- Split 7s if dealer shows 2-7
- Split 9s if dealer shows 2-6 or 8-9, stand against 7, 10, or Ace
Surrender
If the casino offers surrender (not all do), you can forfeit your hand and recover half your bet. Surrender is the correct play in very specific situations: surrender hard 16 against a dealer 9, 10, or Ace; surrender hard 15 against a dealer 10. This reduces your losses in situations where you are a significant underdog.
Ready to put basic strategy into practice? Play Classic Blackjack or Blackjack Pro at a top SA casino, or read our complete blackjack guide.