Blackjack Hit or Stand: Hit, Stand, Double, and Split

A blackjack hit-or-stand chart compares your hand with the dealer's visible card. It recommends hitting weak totals against dealer strength and standing more often when the dealer shows a vulnerable card such as 4, 5, or 6.

A complete basic strategy chart also includes double and split decisions. Read the player-hand row, move to the dealer-upcard column, and use the action at their intersection.

Hit means take another card. It is used when the current hand is too weak to keep or when the dealer upcard creates pressure.

Stand means keep the current total. It is used when the hand is already strong or when the dealer has a weak upcard and is more likely to bust.

Double means take one final card while increasing the practice unit. It is strongest when your starting total is good and the dealer is vulnerable.

Common beginner doubles involve hard 10 and hard 11. Soft doubles also exist because the ace adds flexibility.

Split means separate a pair into two hands. The most important beginner rule is to split aces and 8s.

Not every pair should be split. A pair of 10-value cards should usually stand because 20 is already excellent.