Blackjack

Basic Strategy Chart (Hard Totals)

H = Hit, S = Stand, D = Double (hit if not allowed), R = Surrender (hit if not allowed)

When to Split

• Always split Aces and 8s
• Never split 10s or 5s
• Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s vs dealer 2-7
• Split 4s vs dealer 5-6 (double after split)
• Split 9s vs 2-6, 8-9 (stand vs 7, 10, A)

Card Counting Basics (Educational)

The Hi-Lo system assigns values to cards: 2-6 = +1, 7-9 = 0, 10-A = -1. A positive running count means more high cards remain (player advantage). This game uses a 6-deck shoe, so divide the running count by decks remaining for the "true count." Note: counting works best in single-deck games.

House Edge

Standard blackjack with these rules gives the house roughly a 0.5% edge with perfect basic strategy. Without strategy, the house edge can climb to 2-5%. Blackjack paying 3:2 is crucial; games paying 6:5 increase the house edge by about 1.4%.

Common Mistakes

• Standing on soft 17 (always hit or double)
• Taking insurance (it is a sucker bet; house edge is over 7%)
• Not doubling on 11 vs dealer 2-10
• Splitting 10s (never do this)
• Playing on "gut feeling" instead of basic strategy