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Blackjack strategy chart (basic strategy for real tables)

The complete basic-strategy chart, computed — not copied — for the rules most people actually play: 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split. Every cell links to the full math behind it.

Hard totals

YouDealer’s upcard
2345678910Ace
5HHHHHHHHHH
6HHHHHHHHHH
7HHHHHHHHHH
8HHHHHHHHHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
10DDDDDDDDHH
11DDDDDDDDDH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
16SSSSSHHHHH
17SSSSSSSSSS
18SSSSSSSSSS
19SSSSSSSSSS
20SSSSSSSSSS

Soft totals

YouDealer’s upcard
2345678910Ace
A,2HHHD≈DHHHHH
A,3HHHDDHHHHH
A,4HHD≈DDHHHHH
A,5HHDDDHHHHH
A,6HDDDDHHHHH
A,7SDsDsDsDsSSHHH
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,9SSSSSSSSSS

Pairs

YouDealer’s upcard
2345678910Ace
2,2PPPPPPHHHH
3,3P≈PPPPPHHHH
4,4HHHPPHHHHH
5,5DDDDDDDDHH
6,6PPPPPHHHHH
7,7PPPPPPHHHH
8,8PPPPPPPPPP
9,9PPPPPSPPSS
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
A,APPPPPPPPPP
HhitSstandDdouble, else hitDsdouble, else standPsplitRsurrender≈ borderline — top two plays near-equal

How to read it

Find your hand on the left (hard totals count no ace as 11; soft totals contain an ace counted as 11; pairs are two cards of one rank), then the dealer’s upcard along the top. D means double if allowed, otherwise hit; Ds means double if allowed, otherwise stand; the ≈ mark flags cells where the top two plays are nearly identical — 16 vs 10 being the famous one.

Charts for other rule sets — and what each table costs you

Rules move both individual verdicts and the overall house edge. Computed with the same engine:

Rule setHouse edge
Evolution Live — 8 decks · dealer stands on soft 17 · hole card with peek · double after split0.57%
Vegas Strip — 4 decks · dealer stands on soft 17 · hole card with peek · double after split0.57%
Atlantic City — 8 decks · dealer stands on soft 17 · hole card with peek · double after split · late surrender0.49%
Vegas H17 — 6 decks · dealer hits soft 17 · hole card with peek · double after split0.79%
European (ENHC) — 6 decks · dealer stands on soft 17 · no hole card (ENHC) · double after split0.68%

Edges assume one split (as live tables deal) and perfect basic strategy; resplit-friendly pit games run a few hundredths lower. Details.

Frequently asked

Is this chart the same as a blackjack cheat sheet?
Yes — "cheat sheet", "strategy card" and "basic strategy chart" all name the same thing: the table of mathematically correct plays. Casinos generally allow you to reference one at the table.
Which chart should I use?
If you play live-dealer online blackjack, the default 8-deck S17 chart on this page. If your table’s help screen says the dealer hits soft 17, use the H17 chart; European games without a hole card have their own chart — several plays against a dealer 10 or ace genuinely change.
Can I print it?
Yes — use the print button; navigation and footers are stripped automatically so the tables fit cleanly on a page.