What is Basic strategy?
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal set of blackjack decisions for every player hand against every dealer upcard, minimising the house edge without counting cards.
The first rigorous version was published in September 1956 by Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantey, Herbert Maisel and James McDermott in the Journal of the American Statistical Association. Today, computer simulations produce charts showing whether to hit, stand, double, split or surrender for each situation, adjusted for the table's rules.
Following basic strategy can reduce the house edge in a typical multi-deck game to roughly 0.5%, depending on rules such as payouts for blackjack, doubling restrictions and whether the dealer hits soft 17. Deviating from it, for example by never hitting a 12 or taking insurance, increases the cost of play.
Basic strategy does not give the player an advantage. It only makes blackjack one of the lowest-edge games in the casino.
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