Best Blackjack Strategies and Charts to Win Real Money in 2023
Blackjack is one of the most entertaining and engaging online casino games because the player’s decisions directly affect the outcome. It is also why so many people have chosen blackjack as their casino game, and many are winning real money playing online blackjack at top online Indian casinos.
Since the blackjack gameplay depends strongly on the players’ moves, there are many blackjack strategies that you can apply to increase your winning chances. We are talking about things like counting cards and side bets in blackjack, as these are math-based basic blackjack strategies that work. Please read our outline of the best blackjack strategies and charts and how these can help you win real money at online blackjack!
Why Use Blackjack Strategies?
Blackjack strategies are mathematical and statistical formulas that you can apply to the blackjack game to significantly turn the winning chances in your favor. So, knowing and using blackjack strategies can help you in many ways – from having better winning chances, getting the best possible outcome, lowering the house edge, and even increasing the RTP. For example, you can try these blackjack strategies at 888Casino!
Basic Blackjack Strategie
The basic strategy in blackjack can help you increase your winning chances, meaning you can make better decisions on your next move, get a score of 21, and beat the dealer’s hand. Several basic blackjack strategies work, and we’ll outline them at length here, accompanied by possible scenarios to make things clearer:
Hit Basic Strategy
Knowing when to hit, or take another card, is essential, as this means you get another card to improve your hand. The risk here is that your hand could go over 21, in which case you are busted, and you’ll lose the round.
The decision to hit strongly depends on your and the dealer’s hands, as shown in the following example. Let’s say you have a hand of 9 and 3, and the dealer’s up card is 3. In this case, you should hit, as your hand equals 12, and taking another hand does not significantly affect your chance of going over 21. The dealer’s hand also has equal chances of getting a score between 17 and 21, as their up hand is a 3, which means they play with a similar probability.
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| <11 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 17-21 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Stand Basic Strategy
Similar to the decision to hit, the decision to stand depends on your hand and the dealer’s up card. If you decide to stand, you are happy with your hand and will not take a third card. If you have a high hand between 17 and 21, the obvious decision is to stand so you don’t get overzealous and go bust. But if you have a low hand, you have nothing to lose by getting another card. Please follow the example below to make things more transparent:
Let’s say you have a 9 and 7, in which case your hand equals 16, and the dealer’s up card is an 8. In such a case, your chances of winning are excellent, and you can opt to hit, as you have a good chance to get a low-value card and get close to 21 without going bust. Also, the dealer’s up card is 8, which means they are required to hit if their hand is below 16, so they are playing with the same statistical probability.
This table can help you understand when you can hit and when to stand when playing blackjack at top casinos like 22Bet:
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| <11 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 17-21 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Surrender Basic Strategy
Surrendering means you can withdraw from the round if you don’t like your hand. Please note that this is not available in all online blackjack games, but if it is, it is a good basic blackjack strategy to know. If you surrender your hand, you get away with half the original bet. Here is an example to understand when it is a good time to surrender if surrendering is allowed in your chosen blackjack game:
You should surrender if you have a hand that equals 16 and the dealer’s up card is a 9, 10 or an A. In such a case, the dealer has a better winning option. If you hit and get anything higher than a 5, you go bust, and the dealer has a better chance of winning. In the case of surrendering, you are saving half your original bet, which is a way to save on your losses.
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| <11 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Surrender | Surrender | Surrender |
| 17-21 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Split Basic Strategy
Splitting is a blackjack basic strategy that lets you split two identical cards. In such a case, you must add to your initial bet and turn the two cards into two separate hands, and the dealer gives you two more cards to the hands. This strategy increases your winning odds, as you now play with two hands and have two chances of beating the dealer.
As a general rule, you should always split Aces and split 8s. If you have two Aces, then your hand is 12, which is not very favorable, so splitting the aces gives you a chance to hit a natural blackjack if you get a 10. Two 8s means you have a hand of 16, again an unfavorable hand, so splitting them gives you more favorable winning options.
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| 2, 2 | Hit | Hit | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 3, 3 | Hit | Hit | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 4, 4 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 5, 5 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 6, 6 | Hit | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 7, 7 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 8, 8 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split |
| 9, 9 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Stand | Split | Split | Stand | Stand |
| 10, 10 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| A, A | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split |
Double-down Basic Strategy
Double down in blackjack basic strategy is a gameplay that lets you double on your two initial cards, and you can’t get a third card. Please note that doubling down is a risky strategy that can pay off big time, as this option doubles your bet and winning sum. Doubling down is available at many online casinos, and it can be a good option if your initial hand equals 11 or less than 11.
If you double down on a hand equaling 10, you get a hand of 20 which is hard to beat. Doubling down on 11 gives you a blackjack if the dealer does not hit the jackpot. It would be best to consider doubling down on a 9, but anything lower is not recommended, as you are not getting a third card and have low winning chances.
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| 8 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 9 | Hit | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 10 | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit | Hit |
| 11 | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double |
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| 17 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart
To make things clearer, here is a summary of the blackjack charts you can use when playing this casino game:
| Your Hand | Dealer’s Up Card | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |||||
| <11 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Surrender | Hit | Surrender | Hit | Surrender | |
| 17-21 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | ||||
| 8 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 9 | Hit | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 10 | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 11 | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | Double | ||||
| 12 | Hit | Hit | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 13 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 14 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 15 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 16 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 17 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | ||||
| 2, 2 | Hit | Hit | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 3, 3 | Hit | Hit | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 4, 4 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 5, 5 | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 6, 6 | Hit | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 7, 7 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | ||||
| 8, 8 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | ||||
| 9, 9 | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Stand | Split | Split | Stand | Stand | ||||
| 10, 10 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | ||||
| A, A | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | Split | ||||
| Сolor codes | Hit | Srand | Double | Split | Surrender | |||||||||
Strategy in Blackjack Based on the Value of the Hand
Above, we’ve outlined the basic blackjack strategies you can use to decide your next move in the blackjack round. Here we’ll show you the same basic blackjack strategies you should memorize and use depending on your and the dealer’s hands. Please remember these, as they can help you win your next blackjack round at top casinos like 1xBet.
Please note that these are guidelines and should be considered as such. For a genuinely successful blackjack winning strategy, you must consider all the options, including card counting, possible deviations, and betting strategies.
| Player Hand | Dealer Hand: 2 to 6 | Dealer Hand: 7 to A |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 | Hit | Hit |
| 9 | Double | Hit |
| 10 or 11 | Double | Double (if higher than the dealer) |
| 12 to 16 | Stand | Hit |
| 17 to 21 | Stand | Stand |
Which Online Blackjack Strategy to Choose?
We have talked about the basic strategy in blackjack, as this is the best option to play blackjack. The basic blackjack winning strategy is based on statistical probability data that help derive the optimal move corresponding to your and the dealers’ hands. Please note that the basic strategy aims to win as often as possible, reducing the chances of going bust. Try online blackjack at Betway or 22Bet and use your newfound knowledge of blackjack strategies!
Blackjack Strategies Ensuring the Most Wins
Besides the basic blackjack winning strategies of hit, stand, surrender, split, and double down, here we list other strategies that can help you improve your winning chances:
- Never take insurance
- Never take even money
- Surrender if you gave a 16 and the dealer has a 10 (if surrender is an option; if not, then hit)
- Hit if you don’t have the option to double down and stand at an 18
How to Understand Blackjack Charts?
The blackjack charts may seem confusing to remember. If you watch closely and analyze them, you can note a trend to help you understand and learn all you need to know to become a better blackjack player.
Depending on the dealers’ up card, most blackjack charts can be divided into halves. It means that if the dealer has an up card from 2-6, you have one gameplay, and if the dealer has an up card from 7 to A, you have a different gameplay. Overall, it is the primary thing to understand, and you can memorize the chart and recall this trait when playing online blackjack at any online casino in India, including top-rated casino platforms!
How to Use a Blackjack Strategy to Win?
The best way to use this strategy to win is to understand it completely. You first need to know the casino’s basic blackjack rules. For example, some casinos require the dealer to stand with a soft 17, while others mandate the dealer hit when their hand is 17. You have slightly better-winning odds if the dealer stands at soft 17.
Note: The hard and soft hands in blackjack are based on whether there is an Ace in the hand or not: if you have an Ace in your hand it is referred to as a soft hand, and if there is no Ace in your hand, that is considered a hard hand.
As you can see, this is vital to know, as you can use it to decide when to apply the particular strategy whether playing offline. It also depends on how many decks the blackjack game is played with, as a single-deck blackjack game requires different decisions than a 4-8-deck blackjack game.
How Can Blackjack Strategies Affect House Edge?
Like any other online casino game, the house always has the edge over the player – the house advantage is built in every bet. However, employing the basic strategy will help you significantly reduce the house edge, sometimes bringing it down to 0.5%. The basic plan works in all cases, for example, if you play with 4 to 8 decks, as is the standard in most online casinos.
To lower the house edge further and have a better winning chance, you should opt to play at online blackjack casino games that are played with fewer decks – the fewer the decks, the better your chances of hitting 21. Most online casinos have blackjack played with 4-8 decks, so always play at a blackjack table with 4 decks.
How to Memorize Blackjack Basic Strategy?
The charts above may seem confusing as there is much information to remember and keep track of. While it may seem challenging, it is simple to remember and apply once you start playing the game. However, if you wish, you can download and print out the charts we’ve prepared for you above, or you can bookmark our page and refer to it anytime you need a reminder.
Still, you can try and memorize it, and you can start by learning one chart at a time and focusing on the type of online blackjack you are playing. Please note that no matter how advanced the game may seem, you can always apply the basic blackjack winning strategy and be set.
Blackjack Strategy List & Phrases
While we mentioned some of these, here we again share the blackjack strategies and phrases that you should memorize, as these are the ones that you can use the most often and are the most helpful in most cases:
- Always double down on Hard 11.
- Double down on 8s against the dealer’s 5 or 6 up cards.
- Stand with a pair of 9s if the dealer has a 7 as an up card.
- Never split a pair of 5s or 10s.
- Never play a 6 to 5 blackjack game.
- Avoid placing insurance bets.
- Stand on hard 16 against a dealer’s 10 up card.
- Always split a pair of Ace and 8s.
- Hit soft 18 if the dealer’s up card is an ace, 9, or 10.
- Surrender hard 16 against dealer’s ace, 9 or 10.
Here we also share a table with the most common terms you will encounter at an online blackjack game:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | An automatic winning hand containing an Ace and a 10-value card |
| Bust | A hand going over 21, an automatic loss |
| Dealer | The person dealing the cards |
| Deck | A standard deck of 52 cards used in blackjack |
| Double Down | An option for a player to double his bet with only one card to come |
| Favorable Deck | The cards left in the deck are in the player’s favor |
| Flat Bet | Betting the same amount each hand, without variation |
| Hand | The original cards dealt to each player |
| Hard Hand | A hand where there is no Ace card |
| Hit | Drawing an extra card on top of the original hand |
| Hole Card | The dealer’s unseen card |
| Insurance | An optional bet when the dealer is showing an ace (not recommended action) |
| Multiple-Deck | Game consisting of more than one deck of cards in a shoe |
| Natural | Slang for a blackjack |
| Paint | The Jack, Queen, or King (the face cards) |
| Pat Hand | An original holding of hard 17 or higher |
| Push | A tie between the dealer and the player, no one wins or loses |
| Round | The complete series of plays in which everyone has acted on their hands |
| Shoe | The box contains decks of cards made to deal one at a time |
| Single-Deck | A game of blackjack in which only one deck of cards is used |
| Soft Total | Any hand containing an Ace which has a value of 11 |
| Splitting Pairs | The option to split identically ranked cards to play as separate hands |
| Stand | The player’s decision to not take any more cards |
| Stiff Card | A card ranked from 2 to 6 may force the dealer to hit |
| Stiff Hand | A hand totaling 12-16, which will bust on a 10-value card hit |
| Surrender | The option of a player to forfeit half his bet after the dealer checks for blackjack |
| Ten-Poor Deck | A deck in which more 10-value cards have been dealt |
| Ten-Rich Deck | A deck in which fewer 10-value cards have been dealt |
| Ten-Value Card | Any card worth 10 points, a 10, Jack, Queen, or King |
| Up card | The dealer’s exposed card, seen by all players |
How to Win in Blackjack
If you wonder how to win at blackjack, wonder no more. You are at the right place, as we have a detailed guide on using the basic strategy and combining it with the basic betting rules. Here are some points to remember that can help you win at blackjack at 1xBet, or any other online casino you opt to play at:
- Learn the blackjack rules: the aim is 21; face cards count as 10, other cards have face values, and the Ace can be 1 or 11
- Learn the casino’s blackjack odds
- Learn the basic strategy and learn to count cards
- Opt for online blackjack casino games that are played with fewer decks
- Be smart with your bankroll and bet only the money you can afford to lose
- Never chase your losses, and stick to your budget
- Play smartly, take regular breaks, and remember you are playing for fun!
Where to Play Online Blackjack in India?
We have discussed the basic blackjack strategies that give you the best winning chance and help you make an informed decision when it is your turn in the blackjack round. Still, not all online casinos that carry blackjack are created equal, and you should strive to join reputable, trusted platforms that provide a safe, secure gaming environment.
For that matter, we have reviewed many online casino platforms in India. Here we bring you a list of casinos that have active licenses, diverse payment methods, varied game options, excellent usability, and proper customer support, as these are just some of the selection criteria we use to review and rate the top online casinos in India where you can play blackjack:
FAQs
What’s the best blackjack strategy?
The best strategy is to know when to hit, stand, surrender, split, or double down: the basic strategy can help you lower the house edge and improve your winning chances.
Do you hit or stand on 16?
It depends on the dealer’s up card: if their up card is 2 to 6, you should stand; otherwise, hit.
When to always hit in blackjack?
You should always hit if your hand equals 5 to 8 (generally less than 11).
Is there a strategy in blackjack?
Yes, there is a lot of strategy in blackjack, and imploring this strategy can help you make an informed decision on your next move. The basic strategy includes understanding your hand and the dealer’s up card, and based on these, you decide your next move: hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender.
Should you split 10s in a blackjack game?
You should never split 10s per the strategy, as this gives you a hand of 20, and you should stand on your 10s, as it is tough to beat.
Can you win blackjack with a basic strategy?
You can win blackjack using the basic strategy, as this is based on statistical and math analysis on the best course of action considering the hands currently at play on the table.
Should you split aces in a blackjack strategy?
You should always split aces in a blackjack. Two aces in blackjack are not a very good hand, as you can consider them as a hand of 2 or 12, and both have lower winning odds. So, splitting them gives you two chances to reach 21 and win the round.
How to learn basic blackjack strategy?
Learning the basic strategy in blackjack is simple, but you should not strive to learn every possible hand as this can be confusing. Instead, as a beginner blackjack player, you should first learn the borderline hands and start from there. The borderline hands mean when the dealer has a 7 or higher as an up card, and this is when the strategy changes, as opposed to when they have a 6 or lower.
What is the best strategy in blackjack?
Surprisingly, the best strategy is the basic one and it helps you determine your next move: hitting, standing, splitting, doubling down, or surrendering.
How to win blackjack every time?
It is challenging to win blackjack every time, but you can use several strategies and a good plan to significantly improve your chances of winning. Use the basic blackjack winning strategy and the basic blackjack charts as guidelines, and you’ll lower the house edge from 2% to 0.5%.