Blackjack basic strategy chart by rules: H17 vs S17, DAS and surrender

Short answer: basic strategy is the mathematically best play for each hand, and the best play depends on the table rules. Most of the chart is the same everywhere. Only a handful of cells change with whether the dealer hits soft 17 (H17) or stands (S17), whether you may double after splitting (DAS), whether late surrender is offered, and how many decks are used. Using the wrong chart means getting exactly those hands wrong.

The examples below are for a 6-deck shoe (4 to 8 decks play the same) unless noted. They match the multi-deck charts published by Wizard of Odds.

H17 vs S17: what changes

When the dealer hits soft 17, the dealer busts a little more often and ends with stronger totals a little more often. That makes a few doubles and surrenders against weak or strong upcards worth it:

Hand	S17	H17
Hard 11 vs A	Hit	Double
Soft 18 (A,7) vs 2	Stand	Double, otherwise stand
Soft 19 (A,8) vs 6	Stand	Double, otherwise stand
Hard 15 vs A	Hit	Surrender, otherwise hit
Hard 17 vs A	Stand	Surrender, otherwise stand
8,8 vs A	Split	Surrender, otherwise split

Double after split (DAS): what changes

If you can double after splitting, small pairs are worth splitting more often, because a split 2, 3 or 4 that draws to 10 or 11 can be doubled.

2,2 and 3,3: split vs 2 to 7 with DAS; split only vs 4 to 7 without DAS, hit otherwise.
4,4: split vs 5 and 6 with DAS; without DAS never split, just hit (it is a hard 8).
6,6: split vs 2 to 6 with DAS; without DAS split vs 3 to 6 and hit vs 2.

Late surrender: what changes

Surrender gives up half the bet before you play the hand. In a multi-deck game it is the right play only on a few very weak hands: hard 16 vs 9, 10 and ace, and hard 15 vs 10. With H17 you also surrender 15 vs ace, 17 vs ace and 8,8 vs ace. If surrender is not offered, hit those hands, keep standing on 17 and split the 8s.

Number of decks

Fewer decks change a few more cells. In 1 and 2 deck games you double hard 11 vs an ace even with S17, and double hard 9 vs 2. In a single-deck game you also double hard 8 vs 5 and 6, and you do not surrender 15 vs 10. That is why a single-deck chart looks different from a shoe chart.

How to read the sign on the table

"Dealer must hit soft 17" means H17, "Dealer stands on all 17s" means S17. Double after split and surrender are usually printed on the felt or the rules card. If you cannot tell, ask the dealer before you sit down.

Practice the chart for your rules

Hilowe lets you set 1, 2, 6 or 8 decks, S17 or H17, DAS and surrender. The hard, soft and pair tables update with the rules, you can tap any cell to drill just that hand, and each miss shows the right play with a one-line reason. Practice only, no real money.

FAQ

Which chart do I use for 6 or 8 decks?

Use a multi-deck chart (4 to 8 decks play the same), then pick the S17 or H17 version that matches the sign on the table.

What does 'Ds' mean on a chart?

Double if you are allowed to, otherwise stand. A plain 'D' means double, otherwise hit. Soft 18 vs 3 to 6 is the common 'Ds' hand.

If surrender isn't offered, what do I do instead?

Hard 15 and 16 become a hit. With H17, 17 vs an ace becomes a stand and 8,8 vs an ace becomes a split.

← See Hilowe: blackjack trainer for basic strategy and card counting