Blackjack Strategy Guide
Master basic blackjack strategy to reduce the house edge to just 0.5% - the best odds in any casino game. Learn when to hit, stand, double, and split.
Updated: January 2025
Key Takeaways
0.5% House Edge
With perfect basic strategy, blackjack has one of the lowest house edges in the casino.
Always Split A-A & 8-8
Two aces give you two chances at 21. Two 8s escape the dreaded 16.
Double on 11
Your best opportunity to double your bet is when holding 11.
Never Take Insurance
Insurance is a sucker bet with 7% house edge. Always decline.
Blackjack Basics
The Goal
Beat the dealer by getting a hand value closer to 21 without going over (busting).
Card Values
- 2-10: Face value
- J, Q, K: Worth 10
- Ace: Worth 1 or 11 (whichever is better)
Hand Types
- Hard hand: No ace, or ace counts as 1 (e.g., 10-7 = hard 17)
- Soft hand: Ace counts as 11 (e.g., A-6 = soft 17)
- Blackjack: Ace + 10-value card = automatic win (pays 3:2)
Blackjack (21)
Pays 3:2 (৳150 on ৳100 bet)
Soft 17
Hit - can't bust, might improve
Hard 16
Worst hand - hit vs 7+, stand vs 2-6
Basic Strategy Chart
This chart tells you the mathematically optimal play for every situation. Memorize it or keep it open while playing.
| Your Hand | Dealer Shows | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 17-21 | Any | Stand | Strong hand, risk of busting too high |
| Hard 13-16 | 2-6 | Stand | Dealer likely to bust with weak upcard |
| Hard 13-16 | 7-A | Hit | Dealer has strong hand, must improve |
| Hard 12 | 4-6 | Stand | Dealer in bust zone |
| Hard 12 | 2-3, 7-A | Hit | Need to improve against these cards |
| Hard 11 | Any | Double | Best doubling opportunity |
| Hard 10 | 2-9 | Double | Strong position against weak dealer |
| Hard 9 | 3-6 | Double | Dealer likely to bust |
| Hard 5-8 | Any | Hit | Hand too weak, cannot bust |
| Soft 19-21 | Any | Stand | Very strong hand |
| Soft 18 | 2-8 | Stand | Solid 18 |
| Soft 18 | 9-A | Hit | Need to improve vs strong dealer |
| Soft 17 | Any | Hit | Can improve without risk |
| A-A | Any | Split | Two chances at 21 |
| 8-8 | Any | Split | 16 is worst hand, split for better odds |
| 10-10 | Any | Stand | 20 is strong, never split |
When to Hit, Stand, Double, Split
🎯 When to HIT
- Hard 8 or less (can't bust)
- Hard 12 against dealer 2, 3, or 7+
- Hard 13-16 against dealer 7+
- Soft 17 or less
✋ When to STAND
- Hard 17+ (always)
- Hard 13-16 against dealer 2-6
- Hard 12 against dealer 4-6
- Soft 19+ (always)
- Soft 18 against dealer 2-8
💰 When to DOUBLE
- Hard 11 (always - best double)
- Hard 10 against dealer 2-9
- Hard 9 against dealer 3-6
- Soft 16-18 against dealer 4-6
✂️ When to SPLIT
- A-A (always - two chances at 21)
- 8-8 (always - escape the 16)
- 7-7 against dealer 2-7
- 6-6 against dealer 2-6
- Never split 10s, 5s, or 4s
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Taking Insurance
Insurance pays 2:1 but the odds of dealer blackjack are less than 1 in 3. It's a 7% house edge bet.
✅ Always decline insurance
❌ Standing on Soft 17
You can't bust on a soft 17, and you might improve to 18-21.
✅ Always hit soft 17
❌ Splitting 10s
20 is one of the best hands. Splitting gives you two weaker hands.
✅ Never split 10s - stand on 20
❌ Playing by "Feel"
Hunches and feelings lose money. Math doesn't lie.
✅ Follow the strategy chart every time
Bankroll Management
Session Budget
Bring 20-30x your minimum bet. For ৳100 bets, bring ৳2,000-3,000.
Bet Sizing
Flat betting (same amount each hand) is safest. Never chase losses with bigger bets.
Win Goals
If you double your session bankroll, consider stopping or pocketing half.
Loss Limits
Stop playing when you've lost your session budget. Never dip into other funds.
Best Casinos for Blackjack in Bangladesh
Takaboss
- Multiple blackjack variants
- Live dealer blackjack available
- Blackjack counts 10% toward wagering
- Under 5-minute withdrawals
Blackjack Strategy FAQ
What is basic blackjack strategy?
Basic strategy is a mathematically-proven set of decisions for every possible blackjack hand. It tells you when to hit, stand, double, or split based on your cards and the dealer's upcard. Following basic strategy reduces the house edge to about 0.5%.
Should I take insurance in blackjack?
No. Insurance is a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. Mathematically, it's a losing bet with a house edge of about 7%. Professional players never take insurance.
When should I double down?
Double down when you have 11 (always), 10 against dealer 2-9, 9 against dealer 3-6, and soft 16-18 against dealer 4-6. Doubling maximizes profit when you have the advantage.
What pairs should I always split?
Always split Aces (two chances at 21) and 8s (16 is the worst hand). Never split 10s (20 is too strong) or 5s (10 is better for doubling). Split other pairs based on dealer's upcard.
Is card counting illegal in Bangladesh online casinos?
Card counting is not illegal, but it's impossible in online casinos because the deck is shuffled after each hand. Live dealer games use 8 decks with frequent shuffling, making counting impractical.
What is the house edge in blackjack?
With perfect basic strategy, the house edge is about 0.5%. Without strategy, it can be 2-3%. This makes blackjack one of the best casino games for players. At Takaboss, blackjack contributes 10% to wagering requirements.