Learn blackjack

1. The rules of blackjack

You play against the dealer, not the other players. The goal is a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's, without going over 21. Cards 2–10 count their face value, face cards count 10, aces count 1 or 11. An ace and a ten-value card as your first two cards is a blackjack, paid 3 to 2. The dealer must draw until 17. Detailed version: blackjack rules.

2. Hit, stand, double, split, surrender

3. Basic strategy

For every combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard there is a play that loses the least over time. It was worked out in the 1950s and is called basic strategy. Played correctly, it brings the house edge down to about 0.5%, versus 2 to 4% for someone playing on gut feeling.

The key idea in one line: look at the dealer's card first. Against 2–6 the dealer is in trouble, so stand on stiff hands and double often. Against 7–ace they'll usually make 17+, so improve your hand. Full explanations: basic strategy, explained.

4. The full chart

For 4 to 8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split, late surrender. In the game, the chart recalculates when you change the rules.

Hard hands

Soft hands (with an ace)

Pairs

5. Insurance: why you should decline it

When the dealer shows an ace, you can insure for half your bet, paid 2 to 1 if they have blackjack. In a six-deck shoe the hole card is a ten about 31% of the time; insurance needs 33% to break even, so it costs you about 7% of what you put on it. Same thing for "even money" when you hold a blackjack. The only exception: a counter takes it at a Hi-Lo true count of +3.

6. The rules that change everything

7. Counting cards (Hi-Lo)

Big cards (tens and aces) help the player; small cards help the dealer. Counting means tracking the balance of big and small cards already played. With Hi-Lo, 2–6 count +1, 7–9 count 0, tens and aces count −1. The running total is the running count. Step by step: how to count cards.

8. The true count

Divide the running count by the decks left to be dealt. Running count +6 with 3 decks left = true count +2. Estimate decks left from the height of the discard tray.

9. Index plays (Illustrious 18 and Fab 4)

10. The most common mistakes

• Standing on 12–16 against a 7 or higher "so you don't bust". You lose more often by standing than by hitting.
• Not doubling 11 out of fear. It's the best double in the game.
• Splitting tens. 20 already wins about 85% of the time.
• Standing on soft 18 against 9, 10 or ace.
• Taking insurance "to protect a good hand".
• Raising your bet after a loss. Cards have no memory; only the count does.

11. A 4-week plan