Basic Strategy Blackjack Single Deck

In most gambling games, there is no perfect strategy. However, in blackjack, “perfect strategy” is a real thing. In other words, there are many ways to play 21, but there’s only one way to play the game perfectly. And even though using our online blackjack strategy charts can't guarantee that you'll win every hand, in the long run, playing the blackjack odds as outlined here will have you in the black, Jack!

Basic strategy for single-deck games, S17. The table below illustrates basic strategy for S17 single-deck games. Doubling down is allowed on any 2 cards, double down after split is permitted (DAS) and there is no surrender. In single or double-deck Blackjack, Basic Strategy dictates that a player double a hand total of nine against any dealer showing 2-6, and that’s even true of games with four or more decks, with exception to doubling against a dealer showing a deuce. SINGLE-DECK BLACKJACK GAME. There are four strategy tables and four charts for single-deck games to play blackjack. The following abbreviations are used in the blackjack strategy charts. You don’t have to memorize the abbreviations; they will become familiar to you after you begin to study the strategy charts.

This works because twenty-one is strictly based on limited decks, distinct and inflexible house rules, and established mathematical probabilities. All casinos set their blackjack payout tables to give themselves a slight edge, but that edge is as slight as it gets. So whether you’re playing BJ at a brick-and-mortar casino or playing real blackjack online, our charts show you exactly when to hit, stand, split, and double down.

Best Online Blackjack Sites For Real-Money Gambling

The following sites all allow members to play online blackjack for money or for fun. And though we recommend any new player to use the free or practice modes at these venues to refine their online blackjack strategy before risking actual cash, it won’t take long to memorize all the right moves.

One Deck Blackjack

Blackjack online gambling at these operators is identical to the real game in any brick-and-mortar gambling house. That’s because the electronic blackjack software used is developed by established industry developers, employing fair iGaming standards for the same BJ odds you’d get in a real casino. Most of these operators also offer live-dealer 21 for an even more true-to-life experience.

RankSiteBonusUSALink
1100% Max $3,000Visit Site
2350% Max $2,500Visit Site
3200% Max $5,000Visit Site
4325% Max $9,750Visit Site
5200% Max $10,000Visit Site

Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

For new BJ players, online gambling sites make it easy to learn the ropes. Blackjack table rules are all clearly published, and there’s never any mystery about how many decks the game draws from or whether or not the dealer hits or stands on 17.

While these charts will become second nature in time, they make an excellent reference point for beginners. Plus, when you play 21 online, you can easily and quickly refer to any blackjack betting chart without breaking house rules. That’s not allowed in retail casinos, giving online blackjack casino players a huge edge.

To be clear, these are not blackjack odds charts (or blackjack probability charts) with percentages representing likely outcomes, as those aren’t necessary. When playing twenty-one, all you really need to know are the moves dictated by the cards held by yourself and your dealer.

Blackjack Strategy Chart Key

To read any blackjack hit-or-stand chart, you’ll need to understand a few simple terms, as well as the chart layout. This is mostly self-explanatory, but we’re including all the necessary information so you can be as informed as possible when playing online twenty-one.

The left-hand column represents your two-card initial 21 hand (which is why these charts are sometimes called blackjack hand charts). The top row represents the dealer’s face-up card. Any card listed as a 10 is a numerical 10 card or a face card (Jack, Queen, King). Cards marked A are Aces, and these can be worth 1 or 11, at your discretion (per universal blackjack rules).

In the body of the chart, you’ll see four different letter designations:

  • H (Hit): Receive another card.
  • S (Stand): Do not receive another card.
  • D (Double Down): Receive an additional card, double your initial bet.
  • SP (Split): Turn your initial pair into two hands, double your initial bet, receive two more cards (dealt from the right).

Note: While the basic single-deck blackjack strategy and double-deck blackjack strategy are different, the latter works well for all multi-deck BJ games. So if you’re looking for a 4-deck blackjack chart, 6-deck blackjack chart, or 8-deck blackjack chart, you should consult the double-deck chart’s information.

(Seasoned players may consult slightly refined multi-deck charts for truly advanced blackjack strategies, but the tables outlined here are adequate for most beginning and intermediate BJ players.)

Printable Blackjack Strategy Card

Basic strategy blackjack single deck card game

If you’re playing 21 online, you’ll probably be playing mobile blackjack. Since all the best blackjack gambling sites are optimized for iPhone, iPad, and Android – and since twenty-one plays quickly and has minimal “fluff” – it’s the perfect way to pass the time when you’re out and about.

Of course, mobile devices have smaller screens, and it can be a hassle to switch browser tabs back and forth between your legal online casino and online 21 strategy charts.

For those players who regularly gamble on the go, the following printable blackjack cards allow you to refer to the above tables quickly and conveniently. Just print these BJ cards out, stick them in your wallet or purse, and you’re good to go!

Mobile Online Blackjack Apps

Single Deck Blackjack Basic Strategy

These days, most players enjoy 21 on their mobile devices first and foremost. And while there are no real-money blackjack apps in the App Store or Google Play (the best blackjack app, or web app, is always going to be found only at the sites listed here), you can find various blackjack practice apps in these digital storefronts. You can even find blackjack strategy simulators, blackjack card-counting apps, and more.

These blackjack strategy trainers can be a valuable part of your repertoire, but they’re not really needed. Between the BJ charts on this page (which obviate the need for card counting) and the fact that most sites featured here allow players to enjoy free online blackjack games, there’s no good reason to bother with anything else.

Blackjack Strategy Wizard Of Odds

Live Dealer Blackjack Strategy

When you gamble online, there’s a big difference between playing RNG (random number generation) electronic blackjack games and live dealer blackjack games.

Live blackjack tables at the sites we recommend put you in front of a real 21 dealer, using real-time streaming audio and video to simulate a true casino gambling experience.

Standard Blackjack Strategy

That said, the blackjack rules – and therefore, the basic blackjack tips and tricks outlined by the charts above – still apply. So even though live blackjack online is a changeup from the look and feel of the typical blackjack sim, the game plays the same way – and so should you!

Basic

Just remember: When you play online blackjack, live dealer variants don’t give you as much time to make your decisions. That’s why its crucial to have these BJ strategy tables open in another browser window or printed out for quick reference.