Blackjack Basic Strategy for Beginners

The goal is to beat the dealer, not 21

You win by making a higher total than the dealer without busting, or by standing while the dealer busts. Chasing 21 on every hand is how beginners give the extra edge back.

Start with hard totals

A hard total has no ace counted as 11. Stand on 17 or more. Hit 8 or less. The middle hands depend on the dealer up-card: hit 12-16 against a strong dealer card, and stand against a bust card such as 4, 5, or 6.

Hitting 16 against a dealer 10 feels wrong because you can bust. The math still says hit, because standing loses even more often against that up-card.

Pairs and soft hands come second

Split aces and eights. Do not split tens. Soft hands (an ace counted as 11) can hit more freely because they cannot bust on the next card. Once those charts are automatic, double-down spots become obvious.

• Stand hard 17+.
• Hit hard 12-16 vs dealer 7 or higher.
• Split aces and eights, never tens.