basic strategy
Elementary game plan
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal set of decisions for a game, most often blackjack.
It tells players exactly when to hit, stand, split, or double down based on their cards and the dealer's upcard.
Following basic strategy minimizes the house edge but doesn't eliminate it: She memorized basic strategy before her first casino trip.
The term occasionally applies to foundational tactics in other games or domains.
- blackjackCard game to twenty-one
- double downStrengthen one's stance
- splitting pairsSeparating matched cards into hands
- drawCreate with pencil
- house edgeCasino's statistical advantage
approach · splits · surrender · insurance · gameplan · optimal · probability · tactic · deck of cards · card counting · face cards · chart · expected value · play · dealer · bust · casino · table limits
- blackjackblackjack, 21, twenty-one, hit, stand
- gambling tacticscard counting, betting systems, running count, pot odds, probability
- card gamespoker, blackjack, solitaire, hearts, spades
- gambling oddsodds, probability, house edge, expected value, EV
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