Learn the Basics of Blackjack Strategy

• If the dealer holds 4, 5 or 6 and you hold 12, stand.
• If the dealer holds 2 or 3 and you hold 13, stand.

• If you hold an Ace and a six and the dealer holds a seven, hit.
• If you hold an Ace and a seven or less and the dealer holds a 9, 10 or Ace, hit.
• If the dealer holds 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace and you have not yet reached a total of 17, hit.

• If you hold a hard 16 and the dealer holds 9, 10 or Ace, surrender. The exception to this rule is when your hard 16 consists of two 8's.
• If you hold a hard 15 and the dealer holds a 10 and an Ace, surrender.

• If the dealer holds 4, 5 or 6 and you hold Ace and 5 or 4, double.
• If the dealer holds  5 or 6 and you hold Ace and 3 or 2, double.
• If the dealer holds more than 6 and you hold Ace and 7 or 6, double.
• If the dealer holds more than 6 and you hold 9, double.
• If the dealer holds an Ace or 10 and you hold 10, double.
• Always double if you hold 11 regardless of the dealer's hand.

• Never split on 5.
• If the dealer holds less than 8, split on 2 or 3.
• If the dealer holds 5 or 6, split on 4.
• If the dealer holds 7 or higher, split on 6.
• If the dealer holds 8 or more, split on 7.
• If the dealer holds 7, 10 or Ace, split on 9.
• Always split on 8 and on Ace.

More basic strategies for playing a game of blackjack

• Playing a Hand of 2 and 2
• Playing a Hand of 3 and 3
• Playing a Hand of 4 and 4 Against a Hand of 6
• Playing a Hand of 6 and 6 Against a Hand of 2
• Playing a Total of 8 against a Total of 5
• Playing a Total of 8 against a Total of 6
• Playing a Hand of 8 and 8