Blackjack Trainer

Blackjack Strategy Guide

The following charts show the mathematically optimal play for any blackjack situation. Use these charts to improve your decision-making during practice sessions.

Hard Totals Strategy Chart
Hard totals are hands that either don't contain an Ace, or where the Ace must be counted as 1 to avoid busting.
Player Total2345678910A
8HHHHHHHHHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
10DDDDDDDDHH
11DDDDDDDDDH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
16SSSSSHHHHH
17SSSSSSSSSS
18SSSSSSSSSS
19SSSSSSSSSS
20SSSSSSSSSS
21SSSSSSSSSS
H = Hit
S = Stand
D = Double
P = Split

Basic Strategy Explanation

Hard Totals

For hard totals (hands without an Ace, or where the Ace must count as 1):

  • Always hit hard 8 or less
  • Always stand on hard 17 or more
  • With 9-11, consider doubling down against dealer's weak cards
  • With 12-16, stand against dealer's 2-6, hit against 7 or higher

Soft Totals

For soft totals (hands with an Ace counted as 11):

  • Always stand on soft 19 or higher
  • With soft 18, stand against dealer's 2-8, hit against 9, 10, or Ace
  • With soft 13-17, double against dealer's weak cards, otherwise hit

Pairs

For pairs:

  • Always split Aces and 8s
  • Never split 10s, 5s, or 4s (except 4s against dealer's 5-6)
  • Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s depending on dealer's upcard