Basic Strategy of Blackjack

     Before attempting to play blackjack, it is important that you know a little bit about basic strategy. In other words, you must know what to do in any given situation. What I would suggest for anyone that is brand new to blackjack do, is, do like the casinos. If you have 16, or less, "Hit", and if you have 17, or more, "Stand". One reason why the casino's uses this, is, it works. It is imperative that you find a basic strategy that you understand, and then stick to it consistently. By playing basic strategy consistently, you can reduce the casinos advantage over the player from 7% down to about 1%. This coupled with good money managment will help you to "Win More than You Lose"

    Basic strategy was first developed by jess Markham back in the fifties. Since that time, many years of research and computer simulations have gone into perfecting basic strategy. However depending on which card counting method you're using most authors do not agree on basic strategy. The trick here is to use the basic strategy that works best with the card counting method you will be using.

    While using basic strategy is not that complicated; you only need to be able to read a chart. The big problem with basic strategy is there's a lot of memorization involved. You need to know basic strategy like the back of your hand. You don't want to hesitate in the casino and you don't want to play inconsistently. Newer players sometimes carry a strategy chart card with them and referred to it when they get lost. The cards are usually about the size of a credit card, laminated and color-coded. Most casinos will allow you to use a basic strategy card at the table.

    When you begin to play a basic strategy there are going to be times it will seem that it just doesn't work. The truth of the matter is that basic strategy is just a mathematical probability and will not guarantee you success. When you learn to count cards, you will improve your win ratio substantially.

Blackjack Strategies Chart

     Some people have difficulty memorizing the chart. If you do, I would suggest purchasing a strategy card. You can usually get them at the casinos, in the gift shop, for between $5.00 and $10.00. There are many advantages to having the card available. The first and most important is consistency in your play. If you would like to get a basic strategy card while still at home, we have considered selling them. However, have not as of yet. If you'll contact us through the contact section of this web site, and let us know that you’re interested, we may send you one for free.

   Below you will see the blackjack strategies chart. It works very well.

Full Sized blackjack strategies Image 

    Look across the top of the chart. There are some numbers and some letters. These represent the dealer’s face up card; from the ace on the left, to the jack, queen, and king on the right. The ace has a value of one or eleven. The ten, jack, queen, and king, all have the value of 10. The rest of the cards equal their face value.

    Down the left hand side of the chart is your hand, no matter how many cards you have in it. Each number represents the total of all your cards. For example, if you have a 2, this means you have a pair of aces. If you have a 3, you have an ace and a 2, or three aces.

    If you follow the row across from your card totals on the left, to the right, and stop in a column directly below the dealers face up card, where the row and column intersect, there is a letter that tells you what you should do. For example, if you follow your 4 across and stop under the dealers 9, there is an H. This stands for "Hit", and means you should "Hit" your 4, against the dealers 9, or if you follow your 14 across, and stop under the dealers 6, you’ll see an S. This means you should "Stand".

    You may notice that this chart follows the 16-17 rule. If you have 16 or less, "Hit" until you have 17 or more, then "Stand".

    To continue, see: Advanced Strategies