Interactive basic strategy chart customized for your table rules
Optimal play based on millions of simulated handsCustomize for your specific game
| Total | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | H | H | H | P | P | H | H | H | H | H |
| 9 | H | D | D | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
| 10 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | S | S |
| 11 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| 12 | P | P | P | P | P | P | H | H | H | H |
| 13 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 14 | P | P | P | P | P | P | H | H | H | H |
| 15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | Rh | H |
| 16 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| 17 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-2 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-3 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-4 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-5 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-6 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-7 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| A-9 | H | D | D | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
| Pair | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2 | P | P | P | P | P | P | H | H | H | H |
| 3-3 | P | P | P | P | P | P | H | H | H | H |
| 4-4 | H | H | H | P | P | H | H | H | H | H |
| 5-5 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | S | S |
| 6-6 | P | P | P | P | P | P | H | H | H | H |
| 7-7 | P | P | P | P | P | P | H | H | H | H |
| 8-8 | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| 9-9 | P | P | P | P | P | S | P | P | S | P |
| 10-10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| A-A | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
Key concepts at a glance
A basic strategy chart shows the optimal play for every hand combination. Green = Stand, Blue = Hit, Yellow = Double, Purple = Split, Red = Surrender. Read player hand on the left, dealer upcard on top. For example: hard 16 vs dealer 10 = Hit (blue). Memorize the chart by section: hard hands first, then soft hands, then pairs.
Most important plays to remember
Common questions about strategy charts
Find your hand total on the left side (rows), then find the dealer upcard on the top (columns). The cell where they intersect shows the optimal play: H = Hit, S = Stand, D = Double, P = Split, R = Surrender. If the action isn't available (like doubling after hitting), use the fallback shown.
Rule variations change the math slightly. Dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) vs standing (S17) affects some close decisions. Double after split (DAS) changes when splitting is advantageous. More decks slightly reduce player advantage. The differences are small but meaningful over thousands of hands.
Yes, but do it in stages. Start with hard totals (they come up most often), then soft hands, then pairs. Focus on the areas you struggle with. Most players only need to consult the chart for unusual situations once they have practiced enough.
Colors make the chart easier to scan: Stand (green) means keep your hand. Hit (blue) means take a card. Double (yellow) means double your bet. Split (purple) means separate a pair. Surrender (red) means give up half your bet. The visual pattern helps with memorization.