The Basics
- Get as close to 21 as possible without going over
- Face cards (K, Q, J) are worth 10
- Aces are worth 11 or 1 (auto-adjusted)
- Blackjack (Ace + 10-value) pays 3:2
- Dealer must hit on 16, stand on 17
When to Hit
- Your hand is 11 or less — you can't bust
- Your hand is 12-16 and dealer shows 7 or higher
- You have a soft 17 (Ace + 6) or less
When to Stand
- Your hand is 17 or higher
- Your hand is 12-16 and dealer shows 2-6 (dealer likely busts)
- You have a soft 19-20 (Ace + 8 or 9)
When to Double Down
- Your hand totals 11 — best double down hand
- Your hand totals 10 and dealer shows 2-9
- Your hand totals 9 and dealer shows 3-6
- You have a soft 16-18 (Ace + 5/6/7) and dealer shows 2-6
Quick Reference Chart
| Your Hand |
Dealer 2-6 |
Dealer 7-A |
| 8 or less |
Hit |
Hit |
| 9 |
Double |
Hit |
| 10 |
Double |
Hit* |
| 11 |
Double |
Double |
| 12-16 |
Stand |
Hit |
| 17+ |
Stand |
Stand |
* Double if dealer shows 2-9, otherwise hit
Pro Tips
- Never take insurance — it's a sucker bet with a high house edge
- Manage your bankroll — bet 2-5% of your balance per hand
- The dealer busts ~28% of the time — patience pays off
- Don't chase losses — stick to your bet size
Keyboard Shortcuts
H Hit
S Stand
D Double
Enter Deal / Next Round