Quick answer: A basic strategy chart tells you the best play for every starting hand against every dealer card. Pick your table's rules below and the chart updates. At Australian tables (no hole card, double on 9-11 only), the biggest changes are: hit 11 against a 10 or an ace, hit 8,8 against a 10 or an ace, and never double a soft hand.
4 to 8 decks, dealer stands on all 17s, double after split allowed, no surrender. Free chart for practice. Source of the table: blackjack-unblocked.com
How to read the chart
We built this chart for players who want one clear answer, not a maths lecture. Here is how to use it:
- Choose your rules in the drop-down (if you are not sure, keep the first option: it is the safest choice at any Australian table).
- Find your hand in the left column. Pairs first, then soft hands (an ace counted as 11), then hard totals.
- Find the dealer's up card across the top.
- Read the letter where the row and column meet: H = hit, S = stand, D = double, P = split.
Why check pairs first? Because 8,8 is also a hard 16, and those two rows give different answers.
What changes under Aussie rules
Most strategy charts online are built for Las Vegas, where the dealer peeks for blackjack and you can double any two cards. At an Australian table that chart can cost you money. These are the cells that change:
| Hand | Hole card game (Vegas) | Aussie ENHC | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 v 10 | Double | Hit | A hidden dealer blackjack would take the doubled stake |
| 8,8 v 10 or A | Split | Hit | A dealer blackjack would take both split stakes |
| A,A v A | Split | Hit | Same reason as 8,8 |
| Soft 13 to 17 (A,2 to A,6) | Double against weak cards | Hit | Doubling is allowed on 9, 10 or 11 only |
| Soft 18 (A,7) v 3 to 6 | Double | Stand | Soft doubles are not allowed, and 18 is a decent total |
What about BB+1 and OBBO tables? Under both rules a dealer blackjack takes only one unit from a doubled hand, so you double 11 against a 10 just as in the OBO chart. The difference is in the splits: according to Wizard of Odds, the OBBO chart hits 8,8 against a 10 and A,A against an ace, while BB+1 splits them. Not sure which rule you face? I use the ENHC chart. It never risks the extra money.
Our Australian blackjack rules guide explains all four no hole card rules, and the no hole card guide shows the losses in dollars.
13 rules to remember (Aussie ENHC chart)
You do not need to memorise 290 cells. In my experience, these rules cover almost every hand you will see:
- Hard 17 or more: always stand.
- Hard 13 to 16: stand against 2 to 6, hit against 7 to ace.
- Hard 12: stand against 4, 5 or 6, hit against everything else.
- Hard 11: double against 2 to 9, hit against 10 or ace.
- Hard 10: double against 2 to 9, hit against 10 or ace.
- Hard 9: double against 3 to 6, otherwise hit.
- Hard 8 or less: always hit.
- Soft 17 or less: hit (no soft doubles on Aussie tables).
- Soft 18: stand against 2 to 8, hit against 9, 10 or ace.
- Soft 19 or more: stand.
- Aces: split against 2 to 10, hit against an ace. 8s: split against 2 to 9, hit against 10 or ace.
- Never split 10s or 5s (play 5,5 as a hard 10).
- Never take insurance.
The chart assumes the dealer stands on all 17s. On a hit soft 17 table the Aussie charts barely change, because soft doubles and surrender are already off the menu.
Print it or save it as a PDF
Press Print or save as PDF above the chart. Your browser prints the chart only (not the whole page). To get a PDF, choose "Save as PDF" as the printer.
- Pick your rules first. The printout shows the version on screen.
- Turn on background graphics in the print settings if the colours do not show.
- Check the casino's own rules. A chart only works for the rules it was built for.
Can you use a chart at the table? That is up to the casino, so ask before you put one down. In my view the better plan is to learn it at home.
Turn the chart into habit
Reading a chart and playing it under pressure are different skills. We suggest three steps:
- Learn one block a day (hard totals, then soft totals, then pairs).
- Drill it in our blackjack trainer, which marks every decision and explains the right play.
- Play real hands in our free blackjack game with Aussie rules and practice points only.
New to the game altogether? Start with how to play blackjack.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a blackjack strategy chart for Australian rules?
Yes. Choose the first option in the chart above. It is built for no hole card games where a dealer blackjack takes all your bets and you can double only on 9, 10 or 11.
Should I double 11 against a 10 in Australia?
Only if you know a dealer blackjack takes just one unit from your hand (OBO, BB+1 or OBBO). Under ENHC, hit instead, because a hidden blackjack takes the whole doubled stake.
Do I split 8s against a 10 at Crown or The Star?
It depends on the hole card rule in the current rules document. Under ENHC and OBBO, hit 8,8 against a 10. Under OBO and BB+1, split.
Does basic strategy guarantee a win?
No. It is the play that loses the least over time. The house keeps an edge, usually well under 1% on a good table, and any session can still go badly.
Can I download the chart as a PDF?
Yes. Use the Print or save as PDF button and pick "Save as PDF" as the printer. The file shows the rules you selected.
Test the chart on a few free hands
Charts stick best when you use them. Play ten hands with the chart open, then ten without it, and see how many you get right. No money, no sign-up.