Blackjack hand by hand: a cheat sheet you can follow at the table
A short list of fixed decisions trims the cost of the game to its floor without making it winnable.
Basic strategy is a chart of maths-based decisions for every hand against each dealer card. It cuts the house edge to its floor, often below one per cent, but cannot guarantee profit. Learn the main rules, decline insurance and side bets, and pick tables that pay 3 to 2.
Decisions matter more in blackjack than in any other table game, because each one changes what a hand costs. The short version of all this sits on our real money casinos for Canadian players.
Below is the essential routine in plain language plus a money rule. Players must be of legal age in their province.
Hard hands in six lines
- Split aces and eights every time.
- Never split tens or fives.
- Double 11 against most dealer cards, and 10 against a dealer 2 to 9.
- Stand on hard 17 or higher.
- Against a dealer 7 or better, hit 12 to 16. Against 2 to 6, stand on 13 to 16 (and hit 12 against a 2 or 3).
- Hit any hard 8 or less.
Rule variants shift a few decisions, so keep a chart for your table.
Soft hands
A soft hand counts an ace as 11 and cannot bust on one more card, so you can be bolder. Soft 18 stands against a dealer 2, 7 or 8, doubles against 3 to 6 where allowed and hits against 9, 10 or ace. Soft 19 and 20 stand. Soft 13 to 17 usually double against a weak dealer card of 4 to 6, depending on the hand, and hit otherwise.
Summary by dealer card
| Dealer shows | Typical plan |
|---|---|
| 2 to 6, weak | Stand on most 12 to 16, double 9 to 11, split more pairs |
| 7 to 9 | Hit 12 to 16, double 10 and 11, stand on 17 |
| 10 or ace | Hit up to 16, skip insurance, double only 11 under some rules |
Drill it in demo mode first; the page on free casino games explains how.
Bets to pass on
Insurance pays 2 to 1 when the dealer has blackjack but carries an edge far above the main game. Perfect Pairs, 21+3 and similar side bets cost more too. Avoid 6 to 5 tables. Counting cards does not work against RNG tables that reshuffle every hand.
A bankroll rule that holds
Fix a session budget, say CAD 80, and bet 1 to 2 per cent of it, so CAD 0.80 to CAD 1.60 a hand. Never double the stake after a loss. Quit at the limit or after a set time. Get a monthly number from the play budget planner, and check table rules on the blackjack page.
Errors that cost the most
- Standing on 12 against a dealer 2 or 3 out of nerves.
- Splitting tens.
- Taking insurance with a strong hand.
- Changing plans after a losing run.
- Sitting at 6 to 5.
Practice without pressure
Open a demo table or free trainer and play a few hundred hands with the chart beside you. Note where you hesitate, and repeat. Practising without money builds habit with no balance at stake. When you move to real play, start with the smallest bet and focus on following the chart, not on winning losses back.
Common questions
Does basic strategy beat the house?
No. It lowers the edge to a small figure, often below one per cent with good rules, but the casino keeps an edge. Short sessions can go either way and strategy does not remove variance. Use it to lower cost, not to expect profit.
Should I ever buy insurance?
Generally no. Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has a ten underneath, and the odds are against you. Basic strategy declines it, even with a blackjack of your own, except in counting situations that do not exist online.
May I keep a chart open while playing?
Online, yes. Most RNG and live tables allow a basic strategy card, and nobody objects. Some live games add a hint feature. Avoid third-party software that makes decisions for you if the site terms forbid it.