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The strategy of Free Bet Blackjack is much more straightforward to memorize than the basic strategy of standard Blackjack, where the key takeaway is to accept all free doubles and free splits. 

In this article, you will find a quick, straightforward introduction to basic strategy when playing Evolution Gaming's Free Bet Blackjack, together with three charts that tell you the optimal play. 

## Basic Free Bet Blackjack strategy
When you play Evolution Gaming's Free Bet Blackjack variant with eight decks, the house has a 1.55% edge over you. The optimal theoretical payout percentage based on the first-hand dealt from the dealer shoe is 98.45%.

**Tip:** *The optimal strategy of this variant is only achievable when you stay away from the Free Bet Blackjack side bets, as these lower the respective RTP range from 98.45% to between 94.12% and 95.90%.*

The optimal strategy for playing Free Bet Blackjack is to apply regular basic blackjack strategy, except for free bets, as you should always accept every free double and free split opportunity. 

## Free Bet Blackjack strategy charts
We've made three charts you can use during play to make better decisions. 
- a chart showing you what to do in real money hands
- a chart showing you what to do when playing free hands
- a chart listing all free splits, and free doubles

**Note:** *The charts presented in this free bet blackjack strategy article assume that you are familiar with regular blackjack rules.* 

### Chart showing how to play real money hands in Free Bet Blackjack

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706786733/blog/Free%20Bet%20Blackjack%20Strategy/img-01_-_Real_Money_Hand.jpg" alt="strategy chart showing how to play real money hands in Free bet blackjack" />
</div>

**When to double:**
- Always accept a free double.
- Always double a Soft 16 vs. dealer's 6.
- Always double a soft 17 and 18 vs. dealer's 5 or 6.

**When to hit:**
- Always hit on a player 5-8
- When on a hard 12 (except when the dealer shows a 5 or a 6).
- When on a hard 13 (except when the dealer shows a 3, 4, 5, or a 6).
- When on a hard 14/15/16 (except when the dealer shows a 2, 3, 4, 5, or a 6). 
- Always hit when on a soft 12-17 (except for when you double)
- When on a soft 18 vs. dealer's 9, 10, or A.

**When to stand:**
- When on a hard 12 vs. dealer's 5 or 6.
- When on a hard 13 vs. dealer's 3-6. 
- When on a hard 14/15/16 vs. dealers 2-6
- When on any hard 17 and above.
- When on a soft 18 vs. dealer's 2-8 (except when doubling vs. 5 or 6). 
- When on any soft 19 and above. 

### Chart showing how to play free hands in Free Bet Blackjack

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706785509/blog/Free%20Bet%20Blackjack%20Strategy/img-02_Free_Hand.jpg" alt="strategy chart showing how to play free hands in Free bet blackjack" />
</div>

**When to double:**
- Always accept a free double.
- Always double a soft 16 vs. dealer's 6.
- Always double a soft 17 vs. dealer's 5 or 6.
- Always double a soft 18 vs. dealer's 4, 5, or 6.
- Always double a soft 19 vs. dealer's 5 or 6.
- Always double a soft 20 vs. dealer's 6.

**When to hit:**
- Always hit on a player 5-8
- When on a hard 12 (except when the dealer shows a 5 or a 6).
- When on a hard 13  and 14 (except when the dealer shows 3-6).
- When on a hard 15 and 16 (except when the dealer shows 2-6)
- When on a hard 17 (except when the dealer shows 2-6 or 10)
- When on a soft 12-17, except for when you're doubling.
- When on a soft 18, except when you're doubling versus dealer's 7.

**When to stand:**
- When on a hard 12 vs. dealer's 5 or 6.
- When on a hard 13-14 vs. dealer's 3-6. 
- When on a hard 15-17 vs. dealer's 2-6. 
- Stand on 17 vs. dealer's 10.
- Always stand on hard 18 and above.
- When on a soft 18 vs. dealer's 7.
- When on a soft 19 and above (except for when doubling). 

### Chart showing how to play split hands in Free Bet Blackjack

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706785509/blog/Free%20Bet%20Blackjack%20Strategy/img-03_-_Splits.jpg" alt="strategy chart showing how to play split hands in Free bet blackjack" />
</div>

- Always opt for a free double when available.
- Always opt for a free split when available.
- Always stand on a pair of tens (10,10).


In this article, you will find a quick, straightforward introduction to basic strategy when playing Evolution Gaming's Free Bet Blackjack, together with three charts that tell you the optimal play.

Free Bet Blackjack strategy charts

featured_img_blackjack_odds_c3e3ce434d_e171b2d6fe_1e4afcf0da_d8f39cba47.png

Blackjack ranks among the [top casino games](https://casinogrounds.com/casino-games/) at online and physical casinos. It draws its popularity from its seemingly simple game mechanics. Starting from two cards, a player has to create a hand with a value higher than that of the dealer without going bust or exceeding a hand value of 21. 

A player total of 21 is called “blackjack” or a “natural.” Likewise, players may stand on the first two cards they were initially dealt or ask the dealer for more cards (called a “hit”) to add to their total until they choose to “stand” on the total hand value or go bust.

However, blackjack’s simplicity can be misleading—delving underneath the surface of blackjack odds and probabilities can reveal how maddeningly complicated the game can be.

Therefore, each player must understand the inner workings of blackjack odds and how to leverage them to their advantage. Sharpening your blackjack skill makes the game even more thrilling and potentially lucrative. This guide will give you the full scoop on blackjack odds and probabilities, teach you concepts such as the house edge and return to player (RTP), and, finally, teach you how to extract the most value out of your bets. Ready? Let’s begin.

## Blackjack Odds: How Likely Can a Player Bust Out?

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706014199/blog/Blackjack%20Odds%20and%20Probabilities/img-blackjack-odds.png" alt="image of two aces and a jack adding up to 22 and the text bust" />

Players can use various blackjack strategies to increase their probability of winning, gain more advantageous blackjack odds, and reduce the house edge.

At the same time, casinos have plenty of tools at their disposal to reduce players’ odds of winning. This includes adding gameplay restrictions (e.g., no doubling after a split), reducing blackjack payouts, or adding an extra deck or two in the shoe.

For this reason, players need to gain a thorough understanding of blackjack probabilities to recognise the edge they might have against the house. 

The following blackjack odds table demonstrates your probability of busting out on a hit after the dealer has dealt your first two cards.

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706014201/blog/Blackjack%20Odds%20and%20Probabilities/Table_01.png" alt="probability of busting out on a hit" />
</div>

## Blackjack Odds: How Likely Can the Dealer Bust Out?

Every casino gives itself a house edge. That means the odds are tilted against you, and the dealer holds a clear-cut advantage and better blackjack odds than you. This is compounded by the fact that the dealer always acts after the player, with the benefit of deciding based on your results as an added bonus.

However, house rules for blackjack will vary depending on the casino you choose to play, which may further tilt the odds in the house’s favour. For example, a dealer required by house rules to hit on a “soft” 17 (a hand containing an ace that can be counted either as 1 or 11 without the hand exceeding 21) has a better probability of winning than a dealer required to stand on a soft 17.

The following table will demonstrate the probability of a dealer busting out and how house rules can play a factor in the latter.

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706014201/blog/Blackjack%20Odds%20and%20Probabilities/Table_02.png" alt="image of two aces and a jack adding up to 22 and the text bust" />
</div>

## The Lowdown on House Edge: Explained

The “house edge” refers to the mathematical advantage the casino holds over the players. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone playing casino games—it is, after all, the reason why casinos operate. The built-in mathematical advantage applies to all casino games, meaning the odds of the house winning money over the long run are significantly higher than the players’ odds of making a profit. Therefore, the lower the house edge, the better it is for the player.

The mere fact that the dealer acts after a player and bases their decisions on how the player acts is a significant house edge. If a player busts out, the dealer wins without having to act any further. Besides house rules, different blackjack variants may lead to a higher or lower house advantage when compared to traditional blackjack.

It’s key to understand blackjack odds and probability and how they are affected based on the blackjack variant you wish to play. The following table lists the most common blackjack variants and how they affect the house edge.

### House Edge in Popular Blackjack Variants

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706014200/blog/Blackjack%20Odds%20and%20Probabilities/Table_03.png" alt="image of two aces and a jack adding up to 22 and the text bust" />
</div>

Ultimately, a player's house edge is determined by the blackjack variant they choose to play. Every blackjack game has its own subtle variation that may increase or decrease house edge based on house rules and the number of decks the variant uses. These factors may favour either player or dealer, therefore changing the house advantage, blackjack odds, probabilities, and rewards. Before playing a blackjack game, you should be familiar with the rules and house edge—and the actions that may increase or reduce it—because they might mean the difference between turning a profit or losing.

## What is Return to Player (RTP)?

The return to player (RTP) metric can be seen as the opposite of the casino’s house edge. In essence, RTP is the percentage of a payout that a game “returns” or pays back to the player over a set number of bets. From another perspective, RTP can be seen as the ratio of winning bets over the total number of bets a player makes.

As discussed earlier, the inherent statistical advantage in blackjack odds is called the house edge. The house edge indicates the casino’s profit margin on a particular game over the long term. House edge is calculated by subtracting the RTP value from the total turnover. For instance, a blackjack game showing an RTP of 99% would have a house edge of 1%, as demonstrated by the equation: 100%-99%. The higher the house edge, the less favourable it is for players to turn in a consistent profit over a sustained betting period. 

The effects of RTP in the game of blackjack resonate across all aspects of the game. Online and land-based casinos offer many blackjack variants, each with its own set of rules, house edge, and number of decks used. Casino game developers painstakingly implement these options when they create games. Therefore, players ought to familiarise themselves with the rules, RTP, and information about the blackjack games they wish to play. While RTP isn’t a perfect metric by any means, it can be a vital tool to improve your chances of winning at blackjack (or any casino game, for that matter).

## Card counting: How can it affect a player’s odds of winning?

Card counting is a hot topic in the world of online betting—especially when it comes to blackjack. In essence, card counting involves a player using a system to monitor the ratio of low cards vis-a-vis high cards by keeping track of the cards that have been dealt over a game of blackjack or other table games to gain an edge over the house. The basic underlying premise of card counting is that a shoe or a deck rich with 10 value cards, such as 10s, Kings, Queens, and Jacks, is favourable to the player, while one with low-value cards (such as 2s, 3s, or 4s) is more favourable to the dealer.

For instance, when a shoe has a higher concentration of 10 value cards and aces, there will be a higher statistical probability of natural blackjacks being dealt. Natural blackjacks pay at a 3:2 clip or 150% of your bet size, and the dealer will more likely bust out more often. On the other hand, when a higher concentration of low-value cards remains, fewer blackjacks will be dealt, and the dealer is less likely to bust out. Players, therefore, can harness the dark arts of card counting to monitor the card concentration in each shoe and make bigger bets when more higher cards remain and smaller bets when more lower cards are left. The concept is simple, but executing the strategy consistently to make profits is more complicated—if not made impossible by some casinos. 

One school of thought views card counting as a legitimate strategy for highly skilled players to increase their chances of beating the house. However, most casinos view it as an unfair advantage or downright cheating. Therefore, many casinos have implemented measures to discourage or prevent card counting.

## Basic blackjack strategy: How to improve your odds of winning

Blackjack strategy can be boiled down to a strictly better, mathematically-proven way that reduces the house edge to 0.50%. Most new blackjack players learn to play the game by following the Basic Strategy chart. This guide shows the superior way to play your first two cards based on the dealer’s face-up card. As discussed earlier, the casino gains the house edge by virtue of the fact that the player must act first. Therefore, since basic strategy only applies to the first two cards dealt, players need to gain a better understanding of the best actions to take after taking a hit.

Here’s a quick rundown on basic blackjack strategy.

### How to Play “Hard” Blackjack Hands

“Hard” hands refer to a starting blackjack hand of two cards that lack an Ace.

- If your hand value is 8 or less, always take a hit.
- If your hand value is 9, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 3 to 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your hand value is 10, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 9. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your hand value is 11, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 10. If the dealer is holding an Ace, take a hit.
- If your hand value is 12, take a hit if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 or 3. If the dealer’s hand value is 4 to 6, stand. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your hand value is 13 to 16, stand if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your hand value is 17 to 21, always stand.

### How to Play “Soft” Blackjack Hands

“Soft” hands refer to a starting blackjack hand of two cards containing an Ace.

- If your hand contains an Ace and 2 or Ace and 3, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 5 or 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your hand contains an Ace and 4 or Ace and 5, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 4 to 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your hand contains an Ace and 6, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 3 to 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If you have an Ace and 7, stand if the dealer has 2, 7, or 8. Double down if the dealer has 3 to 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- Always stand if your hand contains an Ace and 8 or Ace and 9.

### How to Play Blackjack Pairs

- Always split if your starting hand has a pair of Aces or Eights.
- If your starting hand has a pair of twos or threes, split if the dealer’s face-up card is 2-7. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your starting hand has a pair of fours, split if the dealer’s face-up card is 5 or 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your starting hand has a pair of fives, double down if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 9. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your starting hand has a pair of sixes, split if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 6. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your starting hand has a pair of sevens, split if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 7. Otherwise, take a hit.
- If your starting hand has a pair of nines, split if the dealer’s face-up card is 2 to 6, and 8 or 9. Stand if the dealer is showing a 7, 10, or Ace.
- If you have a pair of tens, always stand.

## Blackjack odds and probability of side bets explained

One of blackjack’s main draws is its relatively lower house edge compared to other table games like baccarat. Skilled blackjack players will typically face a house edge of 0.50%. Even when accounting for a bad run of play, the blackjack house edge only rises to 2%. That’s a remarkably high RTP rate compared to other popular table or casino games. 

Blackjack is essentially an even-money game, which can rise to 2:1 odds if you are dealt a natural blackjack. That’s where side bets come in. Blackjack side bets offer players to play longer odds and win big on blackjack. One caveat: the house edge skyrockets when playing blackjack side bets—with some bets raising the house edge from 0.50% to 10%. Side bets add the thrill of winning big, but you can also lose more money by overdoing it. Let’s look at some of the most common blackjack side bets.

### Common blackjack side bets

Whether you're playing at an online or physical casino, blackjack side bets are often shown on the felt or a menu. Here, you will see the side bets with their odds, payouts, and terms since they can vary depending on the site or casino you’re playing at.

The primary blackjack side bets are:

- Insurance
- Perfect Pairs
- 21+3

Let’s look at each common blackjack side bet in more detail.

#### Insurance

Insurance is the most common blackjack side bet, allowing you to protect yourself against the dealer hitting a natural blackjack if he has an ace facing up. The insurance side bet involves half of your original bet, which will pay out at 2:1 odds if the dealer has a natural blackjack. Insurance, in essence, helps diminish the house edge in an unfavourable situation for the player.

#### Perfect Pairs

Perfect pair side bets are paid out only when you’re dealt two of a kind under the following circumstances:

- **Mixed pair side bet**. A pair of the same value but different colours and suits will pay 5:1.
- **Coloured pair side bet**. A pair of the same value and the same colour will pay 12:1.
- **Perfect pair side bet**. A perfect pair—or pair of the same card will pay 25:1.

Returns may vary depending on the casino you choose to play in, and the house edge will vary depending on the payout, house rules, and/or number of decks used. This can range from 2% to over 10% or higher.

#### 21+3

21+3 refers to a side bet involving the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. This side bet pays out depending on the following combinations:

- **Flush**. This side bet is paid at 5:1 when all three cards are suited.
- **Straight**. This side bet pays 10:1 when all three cards are consecutive.
- **Three of a kind**. This side bet pays 30:1 when all three cards are of the same kind (not the same suit).
- **Straight flush**. This side bet pays 40:1 when all three consecutive cards share the same suit.
- **Suited triple**. This side bet pays 100:1 when all three cards are the same card.

It must be noted that these three side bets represent the most common ones played across all casinos. However, new side bets are being invented all the time, depending on the casino or provider, in an attempt to draw new audiences and retain existing players. More complex, higher-paying side bets can be found as niche bets in selected casinos, with some offering up to 5000:1 payouts—but the chances of winning such side bets are much smaller.

Blackjack side bets ultimately require no skill and rely on pure luck. Thus, side bets are best used sparingly and only to add an additional element of thrill from time to time—if at all—to enhance your blackjack gaming experience. You should never make them the main focus of your blackjack strategy.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

### Does blackjack have the best winning odds?

Blackjack’s low house edge of up to 0.50% distinguishes it among the table games with the best winning odds, putting the dealer on the same footing as the player as far as luck and skill are concerned.

### Is blackjack a skill-based game or a luck-based game?

Blackjack focuses on skill because winning relies on having a good understanding of hand values, strategies, and quick thinking against the dealer. While there is always an element of luck in all table games, blackjack gives the player agency to turn it into a game of skill.

### What are the odds of a player winning at blackjack?

The odds of a player winning a blackjack hand sits at 42.22%, while the chances of a dealer winning are 49.1%. The remaining 8.48% represents the odds for a tie.

### Are 21 and blackjack the same game?

Yes, 21 and blackjack refer to the same game. 21 is the maximum winning hand value in blackjack, and a hand value of 21 is called “blackjack.”

### Is blackjack a 50/50 game of chance?

No. When playing a game of blackjack, there are three outcomes to consider: a player win, a dealer win, or a tie/push. Therefore, it’s not a 50/50 game of chance.


Blackjack ranks among the top casino games at online and physical casinos. It draws its popularity from its seemingly simple game mechanics.

Blackjack Odds and Probabilities: A Beginner’s Overview

featured_img_blackjack_c9f8e98f29_862296ef93.svg

## Blackjack Strategy Charts

If you're playing blackjack in [online casinos](https://casinogrounds.com/casinos/) or at brick-and-mortar ones, the casino has an 8% edge over you when you don't use a blackjack chart. That's a serious disadvantage. You can, however, reduce it to as little as 0.2% by following optimal play strategies. 

**To put optimal play into perspective:** your expected loss is €800 if you wager €10,000 and don't apply it, versus as little as €20 if you do.

You'll find multiple blackjack charts for different games on this page:

- 4 to 8 Decks: Dealer Stands on Soft 17
- 4 to 8 Decks: Dealer Hits on Soft 17
- Live Evolution Gaming Blackjack Chart
- Evolution Gaming Free Bet Blackjack Charts

### Blackjack Chart for When the Dealer Stands on Soft 17 (4 to 8 Decks)

What's the best mathematical approach to the game when your dealer stands on soft 17? Here's the perfect play to achieve it.

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706797128/blog/Blackjack%20Charts%20for%20Basic%20Strategy%20and%20Perfect%20Play/img-01-dealer-stands.jpg" alt="4 to 8 Decks: Dealer Stands on Soft 17" />
</div>

In order to best make use of our charts, you should learn the terminology and player options by heart.

**When to Surrender:**

- Surrender hard 16 when the dealer shows a 9, 10, or an A.
- Surrender hard 15 when the dealer shows a 10.
- Do not surrender a pair of eights, regardless of what the dealer shows.

**When to Split:**

- You should always split all pairs of A's & 8's.
- Split 2's when the dealer shows a 4-7.
- Split 3's when the dealer shows a 4-7.
- Split 4's when the dealer shows a 5-6 (Only when doubling after splitting is allowed on the table).
- Split 6's when the dealer shows a 3-6 (and 2's, Only when doubling after splitting is allowed on the table).
- Split 7's when the dealer shows a 2-7.
- Split 9's when the dealer shows a 2-6.
- Split 9's also if the dealer shows an 8-9.
- Never split a pair of 5's, or a pair of 10's, regardless of what the dealer shows.

**When to Double:**

- Hard 9 when the dealer has 3-6.
- Hard 10 (not when the dealer shows A or 10).
- Hard 11 (not when the dealer shows A).
- Soft 13-14 when the dealer has 5-6.
- Soft 15-16 when the dealer has 4-6.
- Soft 17-18 when the dealer has 3-6.

**When to Hit:**

- Always hit when your hand is a hard 11 or less.
- You should always hit when you have a soft 17 or less.
- Hit on hard 12 if the dealer does not have 4-6.
- Hit on hard 13 if the dealer does not have 2-6.
- Hit on hard 14 if the dealer does not have 2-6.
- Hit on hard 15 if the dealer does not have 2-6.
- Hit on hard 16 if the dealer does not have 2-6.
- Hit on soft 18 unless the dealer shows A, 9, or 10.

**When to Stand:**

- Always stand on hard 12 when the dealer shows 4-6.
- Always stand on hard 13 when the dealer shows 2-6.
- Always stand on hard 14 when the dealer shows 2-6.
- Always stand on hard 15 when the dealer shows 2-6.
- Always stand on hard 17 and up.
- Stand on soft 18 (hit when the dealer has 10, 9 or A).
- Always stand on soft 19 and up.

### Blackjack Chart for When the Dealer Hits on Soft 17 (4 to 8 Decks)

What's the best mathematical approach to the game when your dealer hits on soft 17? Here's another chart showing how to achieve perfect play.

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706797127/blog/Blackjack%20Charts%20for%20Basic%20Strategy%20and%20Perfect%20Play/img-02-dealer-hits.jpg" alt="4 to 8 Decks: Dealer Hits on Soft 17" />
</div>

**Rules of thumb:**

- Do not use your insurance option.
- Stay away from even-money choice.
- Always view your hand as a hard 10 or 20 if there are no rows for splitting your 5's and 10's.

**When in doubt**, use the "dealer hits on soft 17" strategy instead of the "dealer stands on soft 17" strategy as this will mean fewer losses over time.

### Live Evolution Gaming Blackjack Chart

<div class="blog-responsive-image">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/casinogrounds/image/upload/v1706797126/blog/Blackjack%20Charts%20for%20Basic%20Strategy%20and%20Perfect%20Play/img-03-dealer-stands-evolution.jpg" alt="Live Evolution Gaming Blackjack Chart" />
</div>

Players playing on the Evolution Gaming's Live Blackjack tables have requested a separate chart as the dealer will check for Blackjack if the face-up card is an ace.

This slightly changes how you approach optimal play on the Evolution Blackjack tables, so we've created a separate Evolution Blackjack chart adjusting to how you play your 10s. The game is still played with 4 to 8 decks, with the dealer standing on a soft 17.

### Evolution Gaming Free Bet Blackjack Charts

Evolution Gaming was the first provider to introduce Free Bet Blackjack online, a variant that was originally invented by Geoff Hall, and introduced to Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget casino during summer 2012.

You can find dedicated charts for this game by [clicking this link that will take you to our article on Optimal Free Bet Blackjack strategy charts](https://casinogrounds.com/blog/free-bet-blackjack-strategy/).


## FAQs

### How to Read And Interpret Blackjack Strategy Charts

Blackjack strategy charts are often complex for beginners. You should begin with learning the terms and then the basic strategy for hard hands, soft hands, and pairs. Blackjack strategy charts are divided into four sections based on the ace and hands. These are hard hands, soft hands, pairs, and surrender.

The hard hands section is for hands that do not have an ace and is the most important section of the blackjack strategy. This section shows you when it’s okay to hit (take another card from the dealer), stand (don’t take another card from the dealer), split (split a hand into two and play each independently), or double down (double the bet and add one more card).

The soft hands section is for hands that have an ace that is counted as 11, making it more valuable than soft hands. The section shows whether to hit, stand, split, or double down based on the total hands and the dealer’s upcard.

The pairs section shows whether or not to split a hand based on the pair the player has and the dealer’s upcard. The two decisions are yes (split hands and play each independently) or no (no split, play singly).

Finally, the surrender section shows whether or not to surrender your hand and forfeit half of your bet or go on playing based on the hand total and the dealer’s upcard. Again, there are two decisions: yes (surrender hands, forfeit half of the bet) and no (no surrender, keep playing).
Remember that you must know each strategy and move by heart to stand any chance of 
winning. But you won’t become familiar with each term and move in one day. The key is to keep learning and practising to improve your knowledge.

### How Blackjack Basic Strategy Works 

The blackjack basic strategy is a set of guidelines derived from computer-analysed results of millions of blackjack games, which guide players toward picking the right move based on the dealer’s upcards and the player’s hand total. The goal is to beat the dealer by hitting 21 or getting as close to it as possible; the basic strategy guides players to get a better chance of doing that.

The basic strategy charts show possible combinations for the player’s hand total and the dealer’s upcard and the possible move for each intersection of a hand total and upcard. Remember that the goal is to find the best move to get the least loss and maximum win in the long run.

### How to use a blackjack strategy?

The strategy has rows and columns; find the row that corresponds to your hand total and the column that corresponds to the dealer’s upcards. The first step is to understand the chart by learning the different sections and identifying your hand type and the dealer’s upcard. Next, you can locate your hand total on the chart and also locate the dealer’s upcard. Find the point where they intersect. Use the indicated best move: hit, stand, split, or double down. You’ll need to practise to improve your speed and accuracy.

### What’s important when using strategy charts for multiple decks?

The number of decks is the first important thing when using strategy charts for multiple decks. This is because it impacts the effectiveness of basic strategy, which becomes less favourable as the number of decks increases and the accuracy of card counting decreases. Other things to consider include the surrender and dealer rules, penetration, resplitting, double-down rules (instructions), and specificity (multiple deck-specific strategy card).

### How do strategy charts impact winning odds in online blackjack?

Playing blackjack online is significantly different from playing physically. Yes, there are slight impacts, such as reducing the house edge by as much as 1%. But it also improves winning odds by maximising the winning opportunities through double down or split pairs and minimises busting by guiding players to the right move most times.

### How can strategy charts improve betting and money management?

Although betting is still a game of chance and numbers, strategy charts help players make informed bets, reduce the risk of getting a bust, and plan their bets to optimise splits and double downs for more returns. Strategy charts also help players reduce impulsive bets, plan long-term bets, and generally manage their playing funds effectively. Finally, strategy charts cover a wide variety of games, and this can help players adjust to different games as they come.

### How often should I refer to a blackjack strategy chart during a game, and when is it most beneficial?

Beginners will need to check the blackjack basic strategy charts often, but as you become more competent and your skill increases, you might check the chart less. Never hesitate to check strategy charts when necessary. The important points to check are when your hand total is close to 21, when the dealer has a strong upcard, and when you are considering split pairs or double down moves.

### What is the purpose of using a blackjack strategy chart in the game?

The ultimate purpose for using the blackjack strategy is to win. There are three simple reasons to use a blackjack strategy chart: to reduce the house edge, minimise busting, and maximise your winning potential. The goal is to learn more about the game, find your edge, and play for long-term winnings.

### Can strategy charts be used in conjunction with card-counting techniques?

Players can and often do combine card counting techniques with strategy charts. This enables them to track and estimate the cards in the deck and make decisions based on such information. Learning to count cards and using strategy charts will significantly improve players’ performance.

### What are some common mistakes to avoid when using strategy charts in blackjack?

The first mistake is assuming you’ll win all the time with strategy charts; this breeds too much dependence on the chart and can impact your progress. The charts are guides to help players succeed but are never the holy grail of blackjack gambling. Ignoring the dealer’s upcard, emotional betting, holding out no surrender option, and ignorance of casino rules are other mistakes you must avoid.

### Can using a strategy chart affect the risk level associated with blackjack gambling?

Strategy charts do not, in the strict sense, reduce the risks associated with blackjack betting. What they do is help players make more informed decisions when playing, reduce the house edge, and generally improve their approach to the game. Using strategy or blackjack charts improves players’ understanding of blackjack at all levels.

Casinos typically allow players to check their charts when gambling on blackjack; you can download a PDF version of the charts to reference them when playing online casinos. With consistent practice and patience, you’ll learn how the game works and become familiar with most online blackjack and even slot machine games.


If you're playing blackjack in online casinos or at brick-and-mortar ones, the casino has an 8% edge over you when you don't use a blackjack chart. That's a serious disadvantage. You can, however, reduce it!

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