Real Deal Blackjack - learn to count cards and play perfect basic strategy with our training and card counting simulation software

Basic Strategy

After learning the basic rules of blackjack, the next step to becoming a skilled player is to learn basic strategy.

Basic strategy is the term given to the mathematically smartest play in any given hand while taking into consideration only the dealer upcard and the 2 player cards of the current hand. Decisions made when playing Basic Strategy do not take into account any previously dealt cards in the chute aside from these cards, including the cards of other players at the table.

Below you will find a chart telling you which move to make according to every possible hand that you could hold vs. any possible hand the dealer could hold. Before you step foot in a casino, you should have every combination of hands from this chart memorized and be able to react within a split second with the correct move according to Basic Strategy. Playing strictly to the rules of Basic Strategy will give the player approximatley even odds with the casino. We recommend the following steps to learning basic strategy...

1. Memorize the basic strategy chart below. This cannot be stressed enough. If out of every 10 hands you make even 1 mistake, you will never be successful as a player.

2. Get a simulator. Simulation devices such as the software available for purchase on this site (Real Deal Blackjack: Basic Edition) will save you valuable time and money when you are training for the casino. We would recommend that you consistantly play correct Basic Strategy at a 95% correct move rate before you think about playing in the casino. Real Deal Blackjack: Basic Edition also allows you to set dealer speed and casino rules for a more realistic test and trial.

3. Hit the casino. Make your first visits and attempts at playing perfect Basic Strategy on weeknights. This will allow you to play at the low stake tables and without too much pressure. Once you are confident in your Basic Strategy skill you will be ready to play and win.

4. Learn to count!!! Counting cards is not as difficult as you would be led to believe. After mastering Basic Strategy, pick up some software, such as Real Deal BlackJack Learn to Count, and learn card counting and test your skills. Using a simulator will give you the practice you need to be a counter and give you realistic feedback so that you will know when you are ready to hit the casinos with your skills.

Basic Strategy Chart KEY: S=STAND, D=Double Down, SP=Split, SU=Surrender

When multiple plays suggested, use first option when casino rules allow.

Note: A Soft Hand is one which contains at least one ace. It is called "soft" because the ace can be counted as one or eleven. A "hard" hand is one which contains no aces and so has a definite value.

Basic Strategy Play Chart

Dealers Hand
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
Player's Hand
Ace-Ace	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
Ten-Ten (or Face-Face)	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9-9	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	S	SP	SP	S	S
8-8	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
7-7	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
6-6	H	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
5-5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
4-4	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
3-3	H	H	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
2-2	H	H	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
Hard 17 and Up	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Hard 16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	SU / H	SU / H	SU / H
Hard 15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	SU / H	H
Hard 14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
Hard 13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
Hard 12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
Hard 11	D/ H	D/ H	D/ H	D/ H	D/ H	D/ H	D/ H	D/ H	D / H	H
Hard 10	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	H	H
Hard 9	H	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	H	H	H	H	H
Hard 8 and Under	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 19 and Up	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Soft 18	S	D / S	D / S	D / S	D / S	S	S	H	H	H
Soft 17	H	D / H	D / H	D / H	D / H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 16	H	H	D / H	D / H	D / H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 15	H	H	D / H	D / H	D / H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 14	H	H	H	D / H	D / H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft 13	H	H	H	D / H	D / H	H	H	H	H	H
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last modified February 5, 2008 - 04:04