Basic strategy
The Basic Strategy relies on charts for any given situation WITHOUT card counting.
The rule #1: Be aware of the rules!
Different casinos can have slight differences as to what is allowed and what is not - which means that the right decision in one casino might be the wrong decision in another casino. Always check the rules before you start playing.
Basic Strategy Chart - composite (4+ decks): all the rules with possible rule variations in a single chart! We recommend you use this chart to learn the basic strategy. It is based on the following rules:
- Blackjack gives you 3:2
- 4 or more decks
- Double is allowed on any 2 cards
- Doubling after a split is allowed
- Dealer can peek for blackjack
- Dealer stands on soft 17
If you think this chart is a bit of a handful, we’ve attempted to simplify things: try one of the charts below first.
Basic Strategy Chart (4+ decks): this chart works for most casinos. Doubling on any two cards is allowed.
Basic Strategy Chart (4+ decks) with restricted doubling: use this chard for casinos that do not allow doubling after splitting.
Basic Strategy Chart (single deck): probabilities change slightly is a single deck of cards is used. These days you’d be hard-pressed to find a casino using a single deck of cards, but the chart still comes handy in more informal settings.
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