Blackjack Strategy Guide

Blackjack strategy has two layers on this site: basic hand strategy for deciding when to hit, stand, double, split or surrender, and tournament strategy for deciding how bankroll position should influence betting and late-round play.

Early hands

Avoid unnecessary risk when there is ample time to recover, while keeping track of the bankrolls around the table. Read the full Early Hands strategy →

Middle of the round

Adjust wager size to maintain or attack position, and pay attention to who acts before and after you. Read the full Middle Round strategy →

Final hands

Late-hand bets are often driven by the exact chip difference between players. Correlating or opposing an opponent's wager can be more important than making an ordinary flat bet. Read the full Final Hands strategy →

Start With the Basic Strategy Chart

Before tournament bankroll considerations are added, learn the standard playing decisions. The Blackjack Strategy Chart provides responsive tables for hard totals, soft totals, pairs and surrender.