Basic Blackjack Strategy

The following table represents the basic blackjack playing strategy.  The players totals represent hard totals, ie: no aces with a value of 11.   The dealers up card is exactly that.  Statistically, these are the best hands to play given a neutral deck.  If the following hands are played consistantly,  then the player will have only a small disadvantage over the house.

It is important to learn the  table below as these plays come up the majority of the time.
 

Hard Totals

Dealers Up Card 
Players Total 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A
17+ S S S S S S S S S S
13-16 S S S S S H H H H H
12 H H S S S H H H H H
11 D D D D D D D D D H
10 D D D D D D D D H H
9 H D D D D H H H H H
5-8 H H H H H H H H H H
 
 
Legend: S = stay, H = hit, D = double down

Double Down = Double* the value of your bet and take only one hit.

*Some casinos let you double down on less than the full value of your bet.  Ex: Double down on a $50 bet by only putting up an additional $40 for a total double down value of $90 instead of $100.