Updated
The 'perfect' Blackjack strategy has to cover every possible combination of cards. This quickly becomes hard to remember, especially under playing conditions.
What this simplified strategy does is give you a basic strategy, suitable for most hands you'll encounter, then takes you step by step to a more advanced level, until you're playing like a pro.
NB if you're new to Blackjack, it would be worth taking time out to read the following article: How to win at Blackjack - and why most players lose!
Once you're familiar with the strategy, check out the foot of the page for our recommendations of where to play - or practice your new-found skills on our free play Blackjack! (UK players must be 18+ - age verification required)
Stage 1 - a basic strategy for most hands that will minimise risk
Stage 2 - add in the option to Split pairs where appropriate
Stage 3 - add in the option of Doubling Down if the opportunity arises
Aces should be treated as 1, except with 7, 8, and 9 when they equal 11.
eg
A, 6 is always 7
A, 8 is always 19
Player score is the total of all cards in your hand, not just the first 2, so the same rules apply to
7 and 6,
5, 4 and 4
A, 4 and 8
all of which should be treated as 13.
Player score | Action |
---|---|
3 to 11 | HIT |
12 to 16 | HIT if dealer > 6, otherwise STAND |
17 to 20 | STAND |
Exception: A, 7 | HIT if dealer > 8, otherwise STAND |
As the beginner's strategy, with the addition of the Split on a pair
Player score | Action |
---|---|
ALL PAIRS except 4s, 5s and 10s |
SPLIT |
PAIR of 4s | HIT |
PAIR of 5s | HIT if dealer has 10 or A, else DOUBLE DOWN |
PAIR of 10s | STAND |
As the intermediate strategy, but with Double Down on 9, 10 and 11
Player score | Action |
---|---|
9 | DOUBLE DOWN if dealer < 7 |
10 | DOUBLE DOWN if dealer < 10 |
11 | DOUBLE DOWN |
Check out the casinos below for the best Blackjack games currently available.
Blackjack is the most popular game in the casino, and for good reason - it's simple to learn, but offers experienced gamblers the opportunity to refine a strategy that could give them the edge over the casino.
In order to take you from beginner through to High Rolling Blackjack player, we've put together a comprehensive Blackjack guide, that tells you everything you need to know:
A simple guide to playing Blackjack. An explanation of the rules, counting system and betting options - Hit, Stand, Double, Split, Surrender, Insurance etc.
This Blackjack Basics guide is designed to get you up and playing in as short a time as possible.
Casinos offer a multitude of Blackjack variations, each with a subtle twist on the standard game. They have also introduced side bets, optional bets that can win even when the main hand loses!
We've detailed all the major variations and side bets in this separate guide. Once you're familiar with the basic game, you can choose a variation that gives you exactly what you want!
New Blackjack players often think that the object of the game is to get a points total as close to twenty one as possible. It isn't.
To win at Blackjack, you just have to beat the dealer - and you can do this with a points total of nineteen, fifteen or even twelve.
Practice your new-found Blackjack strategy skills on this free play game which you can play without downloading, on your mobile, tablet or desktop.
You'll get 2,000 play money credits and as long as you want to practice!
Once you've familiarised yourself with the rules of Blackjack on the free play Practice game, why not try playing with real Live Dealers? It's the most authentic casino experience you can get, without leaving your home!
At our Live Casinos, you can always find a table to play at (or Bet Behind!) and place bets from as low as £1, right up to £5,000!
Read through the articles above, practice until you feel coonfident, then head over to one of our casinos and play Live Blackjack now!