Blackjack basic strategy mistakes beginners make

Short answer: most mistakes come from playing by feel. The usual ones are standing on soft 18 against a 9, 10 or ace, standing on 16 against a 10, splitting tens, standing on 12 against a 2 or 3, not splitting 8s, splitting 5s, and taking insurance. Each has one right play, and the reason is easy to remember once you see it.

The plays below are for a 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, with double after split and late surrender. A few cells change with other rules; see the chart-by-rules guide.

1. Standing on soft 18 against 9, 10 or ace

A,7 feels like a made hand, but 18 loses often against a strong dealer card, and a soft hand cannot bust on the next card. Hit soft 18 vs 9, 10 and ace. Stand vs 2, 7 and 8. Double vs 3 to 6 (stand if you cannot double).

2. Standing on soft 17 or less

Soft 17 (A,6) never beats a dealer who makes 17 or more, and it cannot bust on one card. Never stand on it. Double A,6 vs 3 to 6, otherwise hit.

3. Standing on 16 against a 10

16 vs 10 is a bad hand whatever you do. Standing only wins when the dealer busts, and a dealer showing 10 usually doesn't. Surrender if it's offered, otherwise hit. (Card counters stand at a true count of 0 or higher, but that is a deviation, not basic strategy.)

4. Splitting tens

A pair of tens is 20, the second-best hand in the game. Never split tens in basic strategy. Just stand.

5. Standing on 12 against a 2 or 3

Many players treat 12 like 13 to 16. Against a 2 or 3 the dealer busts less often, and only a 10 busts your 12. Hit 12 vs 2 and 3, stand vs 4 to 6, hit vs 7 or higher.

6. Not splitting 8s, or splitting 5s

A pair of 8s is 16, the worst total. Two hands starting from 8 do better. Always split 8s (with H17 and surrender, surrender 8,8 vs an ace). A pair of 5s is a strong 10: never split 5s, double vs 2 to 9.

7. Not doubling 11 against a 10

11 is the best total to double on. Double 11 vs 2 to 10. Against an ace it depends on the rules: hit in a 6-deck S17 game, double with H17.

8. Taking insurance

Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, and in basic strategy it loses over time, even when you hold blackjack ("even money"). Never take insurance unless you count cards and the true count is +3 or higher.

Fix them one hand at a time

Hilowe tracks every hand type you miss, such as Soft 18 vs 9, and builds today's drill from your weak spots. Each miss shows your pick, the right play and a one-line reason. Practice only — no real money, 18+.

FAQ

Should I hit or stand on soft 18 against a 9?

Hit. Soft 18 (A,7) is a hand that can't bust on one card, and 18 is not strong enough against a dealer 9, 10 or ace. Stand against 2, 7 and 8, and double against 3 to 6.

Should you ever split tens?

Not in basic strategy. A 20 is the second-best hand you can have. Splitting it trades a likely winner for two hands that each start from 10.

Does perfect basic strategy mean I'll win?

No. Basic strategy lowers the house edge but does not remove it. It only means you make the best decision for each hand. Hilowe is for practice only, with no real money.

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