HitwiseGuide
Blackjack guides
Everything you need to make the right blackjack decision: from the basic strategy chart to the rules that change the house edge.
Basic strategy, explained simply
Understand blackjack basic strategy: where it comes from, how to read the chart, the rules to learn first, and why it cuts the house edge to about 0.5%.
Read the article →Blackjack basic strategy chart
The full blackjack basic strategy chart: hard hands, soft hands and pairs, for 8 decks with the dealer standing on 17. Free, with explanations.
Read the article →When to double down in blackjack
Doubling on 9, 10, 11 and soft hands: the complete list of spots where doubling down in blackjack pays, and the mistakes to avoid.
Read the article →When to split pairs in blackjack
Aces, 8s, 9s, 7s, 6s, 4s, 3s, 2s: when to split a pair in blackjack depending on the dealer's card, why never to split 10s or 5s, and the rules to know.
Read the article →Soft hands in blackjack
What is a soft hand in blackjack? How to play A-2 through A-9, when to double soft 17 or soft 18, and why you never stand on soft 17.
Read the article →Blackjack rules and the house edge
3:2 vs 6:5, dealer hits soft 17, number of decks, surrender: how each rule changes the casino's edge, and how to choose a blackjack table.
Read the article →7 costly blackjack mistakes
Insurance, mimicking the dealer, splitting 10s, forgetting to double, chasing losses: the 7 most expensive blackjack mistakes and how to avoid them.
Read the article →Running count vs true count: Hi-Lo counting
Hi-Lo card counting at blackjack: card values, running count and true count, useful deviations, and why counting is useless on RNG games.
Read the article →Blackjack glossary
Surrender, insurance, soft hand, true count, H17, penetration… The blackjack glossary with a clear definition of every term.
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