Single Deck Blackjack Strategy Chart

Single-deck blackjack is played with 1 deck and the dealer hits on a soft 17. In the initial deal of a single deck blackjack game, the player’s hand of two cards is placed face down. If the player “hits, ” or requests any additional card or cards, these cards will be dealt face up.

Because blackjack is not a game that is based strictly on luck, it is important to learn the basic strategy of the game. This will help you whether you plan a lucrative career as a professional gambler or just a pleasant evening at a casino. Keep in mind that the rules for single deck blackjack may vary according to the venue.

In the game of blackjack, the term “soft 17” refers to a hand that consists of a Six plus an Ace which is being counted as 11. A “hard 17” hand is made up of a Seven plus a Ten, Jack, Queen or King.

In some versions of blackjack, the dealer hits on soft 17. In others, the dealer stands on either soft or hard 17. The rule will be stated on the blackjack table layout, which will say either: “Dealer Hits Soft 17” or “Dealer Must Stand on all 17.” The house edge will be slightly greater when playing by the rule that the dealer hits on soft 17.

Click for information on history, how to play, terminology/glossary, table layout and blackjack card counting.

Blackjack Player's Choices

After receiving your initial hand, you will proceed to choose your strategy from one of the following: hit, stand, pair splitting, doubling down, even money or surrendering.

Hit: Requesting a hit means that you would like to be dealt another card. This is generally not expressed in words, but rather by signaling the dealer. You may beckon to the dealer with your finger or use your finger to tap on the table in back of your cards. If this hit means that your cards total more than 21, you lose your bet and must give up your cards for this round.

Stand: Standing is the action of choice when the initial deal gives you blackjack or another strong hand. Indicate that you do not wish to be dealt any more cards by either waving your hand over your card or turning your cards horizontally.

Pair Splitting: If you happen to receive a pair in the initial deal, you may split the pair so that you have the beginnings of two separate hands. You will then be asked to place an additional wager in the same amount as your first. According to the rules of classic blackjack, you may split a pair only once, and the pair must both be of exactly the same denomination (for example, 2 Sixes or 2 Fours).

In other variations of blackjack, pairs may also consist of 2 cards with the same point value – that is, any combination of Ten, Jack, Queen or King – although normally it is not considered desirable to separate 2 cards totaling 20 points. Pairs may also be resplit, either indefinitely or up to a certain limit, depending on the rules.

• Multiple deck Blackjack strategy
• Advanced Blackjack strategy chart
• Online Blackjack strategy chart
• Single Deck Blackjack in Vegas
• Single Deck Blackjack Chart