Blackjack Strategy Guide: Master Basic Strategy

Why Blackjack Is the Best Game for Skilled Players

Walk into any casino—online or brick-and-mortar—and you'll find dozens of games competing for your attention. Slots flash with promises of million-dollar jackpots. Roulette wheels spin with elegant simplicity. But if you're serious about having the best chance of winning, there's only one game that truly rewards skill: blackjack.

Unlike slots or roulette, where outcomes are purely random, blackjack gives you meaningful decisions that directly affect your odds. Every hand presents choices—hit, stand, double, split—and making the mathematically correct decision every time can reduce the house edge to as low as 0.3% to 0.5%. Compare that to the 5-15% edge on most slot machines.

This guide teaches you exactly how to achieve that minimal house edge. You'll learn the basic strategy that mathematicians have perfected over decades, understand when to deviate from the "obvious" play, and develop the bankroll management skills to survive variance. Whether you're playing C$5 hands at an online table or sitting down at a live dealer game, these principles apply.

Blackjack Rules Refresher

Before diving into strategy, let's ensure we're on the same page with the fundamentals. Blackjack rules can vary slightly between casinos, but the core mechanics remain consistent.

Card Values

Understanding card values is straightforward:

• Number cards (2-10): Worth their face value
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): Worth 10
• Aces: Worth 1 or 11, whichever benefits your hand

The flexibility of Aces is crucial to strategy. A hand with an Ace counted as 11 is called a "soft hand" (e.g., Ace-6 = soft 17), while a hand where the Ace must be counted as 1 to avoid busting is a "hard hand."

The Objective

The goal is simple: beat the dealer without exceeding 21. You win by:

• Having a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer
• The dealer busting (going over 21) while you stay under
• Getting a "natural" blackjack (Ace + 10-value card) when the dealer doesn't

A natural blackjack typically pays 3:2 (you win C$15 on a C$10 bet), though some inferior tables pay only 6:5—a significant negative for players. Always check the payout before sitting down.

Dealer Rules

The dealer follows strict rules that remove decision-making:

• Hit on 16 or less: The dealer must take another card
• Stand on 17 or more: The dealer cannot take more cards
• Soft 17 rules vary: Some casinos require the dealer to hit soft 17, others to stand

Player Options

Unlike the dealer, you have choices:

• Hit: Take another card
• Stand: Keep your current total
• Double Down: Double your bet and receive exactly one more card
• Split: If you have a pair, separate them into two hands (requires matching your original bet)
• Surrender: Forfeit half your bet and end the hand (not available at all tables)
• Insurance: A side bet when the dealer shows an Ace (generally a bad bet)

Understanding the House Edge

The house edge in blackjack isn't fixed—it varies based on the rules and how you play. This is what makes blackjack unique and why strategy matters.

How Rules Affect House Edge

Small rule changes have measurable impacts on your expected return:

Best Rule Variations to Look For

When choosing a blackjack table—online or live—prioritize these rules:

1. 3:2 blackjack payouts (non-negotiable; never play 6:5)
2. Dealer stands on soft 17
3. Fewer decks (single or double deck is best)
4. Double on any two cards
5. Double after split allowed
6. Late surrender available
7. Re-split aces allowed

A game with favourable rules can have a house edge under 0.3%. A game with poor rules (6:5 payouts, H17, no doubling after split) can push the edge above 2%—worse than roulette.

Basic Strategy Explained

Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal way to play every possible blackjack hand. It was developed in the 1950s by four US Army mathematicians using desk calculators, and has been refined with computer simulations running billions of hands.

What Is Basic Strategy?

Basic strategy tells you the correct action for every combination of your hand versus the dealer's upcard. "Correct" means the play that maximizes your expected value (or minimizes your expected loss) over millions of hands.

Following basic strategy perfectly doesn't guarantee you'll win any individual session—variance is real. But it guarantees you're giving yourself the best possible chance, reducing the house edge to the minimum achievable without counting cards.

Why It Works

Basic strategy works because it accounts for:

• All possible dealer hole cards: The dealer's upcard reveals information, but there are multiple possibilities for the hidden card
• Probability of busting: Both you and the dealer have calculable bust probabilities based on current totals
• Expected value of each action: Sometimes hitting loses less often than standing; doubling captures extra value in favorable situations

For example, hitting 16 against a dealer 10 feels scary because you might bust. But the math shows you'll lose less money over time by hitting, because standing means you're relying entirely on the dealer to bust—and the dealer busts less than 23% of the time with a 10 showing.

Basic Strategy Charts

The following charts cover the three scenarios you'll face: hard hands, soft hands, and pairs. Memorize these, and you'll play optimal blackjack.

Hard Hands (No Ace, or Ace counted as 1)

Key: S = Stand, H = Hit, D = Double (hit if not allowed)

Soft Hands (Ace counted as 11)

Key: S = Stand, H = Hit, D = Double (hit if not allowed)

Pairs (Splitting Decisions)

Key: P = Split, S = Stand, H = Hit, D = Double (hit if not allowed)

When to Hit, Stand, Double, Split

The charts above tell you what to do. Let's explore why these are the correct plays, so you understand the logic and can apply it confidently.

Key Hitting Decisions

Hit hard 12 against dealer 2 or 3: This feels wrong because you might bust. But the dealer's 2 or 3 isn't as weak as you'd think—they'll only bust about 35% of the time. Meanwhile, if you stand on 12, you can only win if the dealer busts. Hitting gives you more ways to win.

Hit 16 against dealer 7+: The scariest hand in blackjack. You'll bust about 62% of the time by hitting. But standing means you need the dealer to bust, and with a strong upcard, that only happens around 26% of the time. Hitting is the lesser evil.

Hit soft 18 against dealer 9, 10, or Ace: This surprises many players. You have 18—a good hand! But against a dealer 9 or 10, your 18 is actually a slight underdog. Hitting can't hurt you (you can't bust a soft hand), and you might improve to 19, 20, or 21.

Key Standing Decisions

Stand on hard 13-16 against dealer 2-6: The dealer has a "bust card." With a 2-6 showing, the dealer busts 35-42% of the time. You don't need to risk busting yourself; let the dealer self-destruct.

Stand on hard 17+: Never hit hard 17 or higher. The risk of busting outweighs any potential gain. Even against a dealer 10, standing is correct.

Never split 10s: You have 20—one of the best hands possible. Splitting breaks up a near-certain winner for two uncertain hands. Don't get greedy.

Key Doubling Decisions

Doubling is your profit maximizer. You're putting more money on the table when the odds favor you.

Double 11 against everything (except Ace in some versions): With 11, any 10-value card gives you 21. You're in the best position to capitalize on a single card. Double and collect.

Double 10 against dealer 2-9: Same logic, slightly less favorable. Against a 10 or Ace, the dealer is too strong—just hit.

Double soft 17 (A-6) against dealer 3-6: The dealer is weak, and you have a flexible hand that can't bust. Doubling extracts maximum value.

Key Splitting Decisions

Always split Aces and 8s: Two Aces equals 12 (soft or hard, it's awkward). But two separate Aces give you two chances at 21. Similarly, 16 is terrible, but two 8s give you a chance at two 18s.

Never split 5s or 10s: Two 5s equals 10—a doubling hand. Two 10s equals 20—a winning hand. Don't break these up.

Split 9s against dealer 2-6, 8, 9 (not 7, 10, A): This is subtle. Against 7, your 18 beats the likely 17. Against 10 or A, you're better off keeping your 18 intact.

Card Counting Overview

Card counting is the most famous (and misunderstood) blackjack advantage technique. While it's important to understand, there are significant limitations for online players.

The Hi-Lo System Basics

The most popular counting system assigns values to cards:

• 2-6: +1 (low cards help the dealer)
• 7-9: 0 (neutral)
• 10-A: -1 (high cards help the player)

As cards are dealt, you keep a "running count." A positive count means more high cards remain (favourable for the player). Counters bet more when the count is high and less when it's low.

Why Counting Doesn't Work Online (RNG Games)

Here's the critical reality: card counting is useless for standard online blackjack. These games use Random Number Generators that effectively "shuffle" the deck after every hand. There's no deck penetration, no memory of previous cards—each hand is independent.

This isn't the casino cheating; it's simply how RNG games work. Every hand is dealt from a fresh virtual shoe.

Live Dealer Considerations

Live dealer blackjack uses real cards dealt by human dealers on camera. In theory, you could count. In practice, it's extremely difficult because:

• Deep deck penetration: Casinos shuffle well before the deck runs out
• Fast game pace: Multiple players and quick dealing reduce counting opportunities
• Bet limits: The spread required to profit from counting may exceed table limits
• Camera surveillance: Patterns in your betting can trigger reviews

For most Canadian players, basic strategy alone is the practical approach. Card counting works in theory but provides minimal edge in the live online environment.

Bankroll Management for Blackjack

Even with perfect basic strategy, short-term variance is brutal. Bankroll management ensures you survive the swings and stay in the game long enough for the math to work in your favour.

Session Sizing

A blackjack session can see wild fluctuations. Professional gamblers recommend:

• Session bankroll: 30-50 times your standard bet
• Total bankroll: 200-300 times your standard bet

If you're betting C$10 per hand, bring C$300-500 for a session. Your total blackjack bankroll (money dedicated to blackjack over time) should be C$2,000-3,000 to weather bad streaks.

Bet Sizing

For basic strategy players (not counting), flat betting is recommended. This means betting the same amount on every hand.

Why? Without information about remaining cards, you have no edge that would justify varying bets. Progressive systems (Martingale, Paroli, etc.) don't change the house edge and can amplify losses.

Win/Loss Limits

Set boundaries before you play:

• Loss limit: "If I lose C$300, I stop." Honour this absolutely.
• Win goal: "If I'm up C$200, I'll take a break." This is softer—it's fine to keep playing if you're running hot, but locking in some profit feels good.
• Time limit: Long sessions lead to fatigue and mistakes. Cap yourself at 2-3 hours.

Common Blackjack Mistakes

Even players who know basic strategy make errors. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Taking Insurance

When the dealer shows an Ace, you're offered "insurance"—a side bet paying 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. This is a bad bet. The true odds of the dealer having a 10 underneath are about 30.7%, meaning insurance pays less than its true probability. Over time, insurance costs you money.

The only exception: if you're counting cards and the count indicates a high density of 10s remain. For basic strategy players, always decline.

2. Standing on Soft 17

A soft 17 (Ace-6) feels like a decent hand. It's not. You can't bust by hitting, and you might improve to 18, 19, 20, or 21. Against a strong dealer upcard, standing on soft 17 is leaving money on the table.

3. Not Doubling When You Should

Some players are uncomfortable doubling because it requires putting more money at risk. But doubling in the right spots (11 vs dealer 6, for example) is how you maximize profits. If you're not comfortable with the bet size when doubling, you're betting too high in the first place.

4. Splitting 10s

"But the dealer has a 6!" Yes, and your 20 will beat their likely 16-bust anyway. Splitting 10s is pure greed and a mathematical mistake. Keep your 20.

5. Playing 6:5 Blackjack

If the blackjack payout is 6:5 instead of 3:2, walk away. This single rule change adds 1.39% to the house edge—more than any other rule variation. No amount of skill can overcome such unfavorable odds.

6. Chasing Losses

After a losing streak, the temptation is to increase bets to "get back to even." This is emotional, not mathematical. Each hand is independent. Increasing bets after losses only means larger losses if the streak continues.

7. Playing Tired or Distracted

Basic strategy requires focus. Playing while exhausted, intoxicated, or distracted leads to mistakes. One wrong decision per hour might seem minor, but it accumulates. Play sharp or don't play.

Online vs Live Dealer Blackjack

Canadian players have two primary options for online blackjack, each with distinct characteristics:

RNG (Computer-Dealt) Blackjack

How it works: Software deals cards using Random Number Generators. Each hand is independent; there's no physical deck.

Advantages:

• Faster game pace (no waiting for other players)
• Lower minimum bets (often C$1-2)
• Available 24/7 with no waiting
• Demo/free play options to practice

Disadvantages:

• No social interaction
• Feels less "real"
• Card counting impossible
• Faster pace can lead to faster losses if not disciplined

Live Dealer Blackjack

How it works: Real dealers deal physical cards from shoes on camera. Multiple players at the table; you play in real-time via video stream.

Advantages:

• Authentic casino experience from home
• Social interaction (chat with dealer and players)
• Real cards provide psychological comfort
• Slower pace encourages considered decisions

Disadvantages:

• Higher minimum bets (often C$5-25)
• Must wait for other players
• Limited seats during peak hours
• Requires stable internet connection

Which Should You Choose?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the house edge in blackjack with basic strategy?

With perfect basic strategy and favourable rules (3:2 blackjack, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed), the house edge is typically 0.3% to 0.5%. This makes blackjack one of the best-odds games in any casino.

Should I always split Aces?

Yes. A pair of Aces equals a weak 12 (or soft 22, which is 12). Two separate Aces give you two chances to hit 21 (blackjack pays don't apply to split aces, but 21 is still excellent). Always split them.

Why do I double on 11 against a dealer 6?

You have 11—any 10-value card gives you 21. The dealer has a weak 6 (high bust probability). This is one of the most favourable doubling situations. You're putting extra money in when the odds strongly favor you.

Is card counting illegal in Canada?

No. Card counting using only your brain is legal. However, casinos are private businesses and can refuse service to suspected counters. They can also take countermeasures like frequent shuffling or limiting bet spread.

What's the worst hand in blackjack?

Hard 16 against a dealer 10 is statistically the worst position. You'll lose about 77% of the time whether you hit or stand. Hitting loses slightly less often, which is why basic strategy says to hit—but it's still painful.

Should I take even money on blackjack vs dealer Ace?

"Even money" is effectively insurance on your blackjack. It guarantees a 1:1 payout instead of risking the dealer also having blackjack (push) or not (3:2 payout). Mathematically, declining even money has higher expected value. Take the risk—you'll win more over time.

How long does it take to learn basic strategy?

Most players can memorize the essential decisions (hard hands, always split aces/8s, never split 10s/5s) in a few hours of study. Mastering the soft hands and edge cases takes a few weeks of regular play. Use free games to practice until it's automatic.

Is online blackjack rigged?

At reputable, regulated casinos, no. Games use certified RNG systems audited by third parties (eCOGRA, iTech Labs, GLI). The house edge is built into the rules, not through manipulation. Stick to well-known casinos with proper oversight.

Conclusion

Blackjack stands alone among casino games as the one where your decisions genuinely matter. By mastering basic strategy, you reduce the house edge to the absolute minimum—under 0.5% with good rules. That's better odds than virtually any other casino game.

The path forward is clear: memorize the basic strategy charts, understand why each decision is correct, choose tables with favorable rules (always 3:2 payouts, never 6:5), and manage your bankroll to survive the inevitable variance.

Card counting isn't practical for most online players, and that's fine. Basic strategy alone gives you a fighting chance that slots and roulette simply can't match. You're not gambling blindly; you're making informed decisions backed by decades of mathematical analysis.

Ready to put your knowledge to work? The recommended casinos in our sidebar offer excellent blackjack variants with favorable rules for Canadian players. Start with RNG games to drill your strategy, then move to live dealer tables for the full experience.