How to Learn Blackjack Basic Strategy
Learning blackjack basic strategy is the most important thing you can do if you play blackjack. You'll have more winning sessions and be able to extend your bankroll further than players who don't use the correct strategy.
Once you have the ability to play perfect basic strategy you can add other skills to your blackjack game to have a chance to play a break even game or even win in the long run.
When you find the best rules and play perfect strategy and earn benefits through a player's club you can often play blackjack as a break even game or at least close to one.
If you continue your education and learn how to count cards you can even have the chance to be a long term winner at the blackjack table.
But it all starts with learning basic strategy.
I've included a simple and fast system that will help you learn basic blackjack strategy. Just follow the instructions and you can be playing perfect strategy in just a few hours.
Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart
The first thing you need is a basic strategy chart. I've included one here that you can print off or you can buy one of the credit card sized ones available in most casino gift shops. You'll need one or the other before moving onto the next step.
Find the dealers card along the top and your hand down the left hand side. The correct play is where the two meet. The soft hands (including an ace) are listed at the bottom and the pairs are listed between the soft hands and the other hands (listed at the top). DBL stands for double.
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 17+ | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 11 | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit |
| 10 | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit |
| 9 | Hit | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 8 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 7 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 6 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 5 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| AA | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split |
| 10 10 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| 9 9 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Stand | Stand |
| 8 8 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split |
| 7 7 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 6 6 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 5 5 | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit |
| 4 4 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 3 3 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 2 2 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A 9 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| A 8 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| A 7 | Stand | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A 6 | Hit | DBL | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A 5 | Hit | Hit | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A 4 | Hit | Hit | DBL | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A 3 | Hit | Hit | Hit | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| A 2 | Hit | Hit | Hit | DBL | DBL | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
This is a generic chart. If you know the exact rules of the game you will play most often you can find a chart that is just for that game. As most people play at different places the best way to learn is with a generic chart like this one.
Don't make the mistake of trying to memorize the strategy chart but take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with how it is laid out and how to correctly read it.
Step By Step Basic Strategy
Now you need to play as many hands as possible using your strategy chart for every single decision you make. Try to guess what the best play is and then check your strategy chart. Do this with every hand until you are able to make every decision with 100% accuracy.
In no time you will have all but the most difficult decisions memorized and won't need to look at your chart very often.
Once you reach this level you're ready to start playing at the casino. Just take your chart with you and check it when you have a question. Don't be embarrassed to use the chart when you need it. You're paying to be there and nobody can tell you not to use your chart.
You can use one of two methods to practice. Both work well, but one is faster than the other.
The fastest way is to find a place online where you can play for free. When you play online you will get to where you can play hundreds of hands per hour.
While playing online is the fastest way, you can also buy six or eight decks of cards and use them to deal hands. An automatic shuffling machine is helpful if you decide to use real cards.
If you aren't in a hurry I suggest using the real cards as they will feel more like live play. You can usually buy casino used decks in the gift shop at your local casino.
Conclusion
If you're willing to dedicate just a few hours to learning basic blackjack strategy you will benefit for the rest of your life. Follow the easy directions listed above and you will cut the house edge and have a better chance of winning the next time you play.
