Free course
Blackjack course
Ten short lessons to go from not knowing the rules to playing perfect basic strategy. About 44 minutes in total, with a quiz at the end of each lesson. No sign-up, no real money.
- 1What blackjack is and how you winYou play against the dealer, not the table. You win by finishing closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.4 min
- 2Card values and soft handsFace cards are worth 10, aces 1 or 11. A hand with an ace counted as 11 is “soft”: one card can’t bust it.4 min
- 3How a hand plays out, step by stepYou bet, get two cards, make your decisions, and the dealer plays last by a fixed rule: hit to 16.5 min
- 4What pays and what robs you: payouts and insuranceBlackjack should pay 3 to 2. Avoid 6:5 tables. Never take insurance — or even money.4 min
- 5Hit or stand with 12 to 16With 12–16: stand against 2–6 (except 12 against 2 or 3) and hit against 7 or higher. With 17 or more, always stand.5 min
- 6Doubling down: bet more when you’re aheadDouble 11 against everything but an ace, 10 against 2–9 and 9 against 3–6. At no-hole-card tables, don’t double against a 10 or ace.4 min
- 7Soft hands: the ace that keeps you safeA-2 to A-6: never stand. A-7: stand against 2, 7 and 8, hit against 9, 10 and ace. A-8 and A-9: stand.5 min
- 8Pairs: when to splitAlways split aces and eights; never tens or fives. The rest mostly against 2–6.4 min
- 9Surrender and choosing the right tableSurrender 16 against 9, 10 or ace and 15 against 10, if allowed. And pick 3:2 tables where the dealer stands on soft 17.4 min
- 10Card counting, without the mythsHi-Lo: 2–6 count +1, 7–9 zero, tens and aces −1. It’s legal, but the edge is small and it doesn’t work online.5 min
Want to jump straight to a question? Try the strategy chart, when to double, when to split and 16 vs 10.