The Best Single Deck Blackjack Strategy
We all know that Blackjack is one of the most popular table games out there.
But have you tried Single-Deck Blackjack?
If you want to play the version of blackjack with the best chance of winning, you'll need a simple single-deck blackjack strategy and a few tips.
What is Single Deck Blackjack?
Let's start with a few fundamentals:
- Single-deck blackjack games have the lowest house edge of all games.
- The low house edge gives players multiple advantages over the classic multi-deck game.
But before you get excited and jump into a game, you'll need to learn some key strategic points, as well as the differences between playing single-deck blackjack and standard multi-deck, and more about the rules.
Single-Deck vs Multiple Deck Blackjack
The key difference between single-deck and multi-deck versions of blackjack? Besides the number of decks, the other key difference is the payout — you'll find that many casinos offer payouts of 6:5 in single-deck games, while multi-deck games generally pay 3:2.
Back in the good old days of classic blackjack, single-deck blackjack was the standard. It was a popular game, played widely around the world, with blissful players taking advantage of the 0.15% house edge.
The use of one card deck, made it much easier to count cards, and thus, the single-deck version became popular with card counters, who swooped in with their own single-deck blackjack strategy to take a piece of the pie.
Casinos quickly caught onto this, and began introducing blackjack games with two or more decks, in order to raise their own edge and make it harder to count cards.
What is House Edge?
The house edge tells a player the advantage that a casino has over them when playing a specific game, usually expressed as a percentage. House edge determines the chance of winning and a payout; games with a lower house edge have more chances of being won.
Rules & Gameplay for Single-Deck Blackjack
The basic concept and objective remain the same in single-deck blackjack: you want to get to 21 points or as close to 21 as possible without busting.
You'll place your bet, then the dealer will deal the hands. You'll get two face-up cards, and the dealer will get one face-up and one face-down.
You'll study your cards and the dealer's upcard, then decide to hit, stand, split, or double down.
Remember, both land-based and online casinos usually have specific rules for single-deck blackjack, which differ from multi-deck. These include:
- Whether or not the dealer hits or stands on soft 17
- Whether or not players may double down after a split
- If and when players can surrender
It's common to have the dealer hit on a soft 17, to prohibit players from doubling down after a split, and to prohibit surrender because these rules increase the house edge.
However, these and other rules will vary depending on the online casino site of your choice
Need to brush up on your blackjack strategy? Or maybe a refresher in the rules, odds, and bets to make in blackjack?
Read our How to Play Blackjack Guide, or the Best Blackjack Strategy Guide to take your skills to the next level!
Play NowSingle Deck Blackjack Strategy: Our Tips
It's imperative you learn how to make a decision as a player and follow the basics of single-deck blackjack strategy as you play.
Remember that every single card that is played in the single-deck game has an appreciable impact on the distribution of the remaining cards in the deck, more so than in multi-deck games.
Use this to your advantage, and always pay attention to the cards being played.
It's also a good idea to consult some blackjack basic strategy charts to figure out the optimal play for your hand.
Our Blackjack Cheat Sheet displays possible hands in conjunction with possible dealer upcards, telling whether you should split, double down, stand, or hit for that specific combination of cards.
The Optimal Plays for Single-Deck Blackjack
Assuming that the dealer hits on soft 17, doubling down after a split is not allowed, and surrender is not allowed, you can follow these guidelines:
Hard Hands Table
| Cards | The Play |
|---|---|
| 5-7 | Always hit |
| 8 | Double if dealer shows 5 or 6, otherwise hit |
| 9 | Double if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit |
| 10 | Double if dealer shows 2-9, otherwise hit |
| 11 | Always double |
| 12 | Stand if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit |
| 13 | Stand if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit |
| 14 | Stand if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit |
| 15 | Stand if dealer shows 2-6, hit on 7-ace |
| 16 | Stand if dealer shows 2-6, hit on 7-ace |
| 17-21 | Always stand |
Soft Hands Table
| Cards | The Play |
|---|---|
| A-2 | Double if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit |
| A-3 | Double if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit |
| A-4 | Double if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit |
| A-5 | Double if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit |
| A-6 | Double if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit |
| A-7 | Double if dealer shows 3-6, stand on 2, 7, & 8, hit on 9, 10 & ace |
| A-8 | Double if dealer shows 6, otherwise stand |
| A-9 | Always stand |
| A-10 | Always stand |
Pairs Table
| Cards | The Play |
|---|---|
| 2-2 | Split if dealer shows 3-7, otherwise hit |
| 3-3 | Split if dealer shows 4-7, otherwise hit |
| 4-4 | Split if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit |
| 5-5 | Double if dealer shows 2-9, hit on 10 & ace |
| 6-6 | Split if dealer shows 2-7, otherwise hit |
| 7-7 | Split if dealer shows 2-7, stand on 10, hit on 8, 9 & ace |
| 8-8 | Always split |
| 9-9 | Split if dealer shows 2-6 and 8-9, otherwise stand |
| 10-10 | Always stand |
| Ace-Ace | Always split |
Keep in mind that this is not an optimal strategy for every game, because you won't just make different plays according to the dealer's upcard; also your single deck blackjack basic strategy is dependent on the house rules.
Single-Deck Blackjack House Rule Variations
If the dealer stands on soft 17, you know that he has no chance of improving this hand. Keep this in mind as you make your decisions, because it actually increases your odds of beating him with certain plays.
Double-down rules will affect your bets, so pay close attention to them.
If you can double down after a split, you'll want to be a bit more aggressive with your splits than the guide displays—for example, you could split a pair of 3s if the dealer shows 2 or 3, not just 4 through 6.
Likewise, if you can surrender, you'll want to do so strategically. For example, if you have a pair of sevens and the dealer shows 10, you know your odds aren't good, so surrendering would be the best option.
Single-Deck Blackjack Strategy: Tips for the Table
When you're at the table, keep these tips for blackjack basic strategy in mind:
- Use your knowledge of the cards that have already been played to infer which cards may come up. Remember, this knowledge comes easier when you play with a single deck.
- Never take insurance or even money, because the house edge on insurance is 5.9% in single-deck blackjack
- Use a responsible betting strategy, making wagers which fit with your bankroll and allow you to bet for longer. Remember, it's all about having fun.
Now that you know about single-deck blackjack strategy, it's time to try a hand at the tables with this action-packed game.
Where to Play Single-Deck Blackjack Online
Most online casinos of note offer single-deck blackjack as it remains one of the most popular variations, so if you want to play online for real money, you should be in luck.
Play Single-Deck Blackjack Online in the US
As many US casino players will know, real money gambling online is only legal in a handful of states: Pennysylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia, in addition to Delaware and Connecticut.
For players lucky enough to reside in the above locations, we would recommend checking out the blackjack games at FanDuel Casino on either their casino website, or the FanDuel app. The standard blackjack game at FanDuel Casino is a version of single-deck and is ideal for those dipping a toe into playing this version of the classic game.
We'd also suggest the blackjack library at PokerStars Casino who operate in all legalized gambling states bar WV. Not only does their standard blackjack game provide an ideal opportunity to practice your strategy, but the PokerStars site also offers a number of 'How to Play' guides.
Outside of the states offering legal online blackjack, you can often find a free blackjack game at some of the bigger social casinos, although we can't guarantee which variant of blackjack game you'll be able to access on these sites. Nonetheless, brands like Chumba Casino, Pulsz Casino, and Slotomania should be top of mind if you want free single-deck blackjack.
Play Single-Deck Blackjack Online in the UK & Elsewhere
It should be a surprise to precisely no one but the big casino houses of Sky Casino and Sky Vegas offers a multitude of blackjack games, including a standard version which mirrors what you'd find playing single-deck blackjack in a live casino. As an added bonus, both sites include live dealer blackjack alongside online versions.
UK players in search of single-deck blackjack could also do a lot worst than checking out Grosvenor Casino who provide exclusive versions of classic single-deck blackjack on their site and app.
Single-Deck Blackjack FAQs
What is single-deck blackjack?
Single-deck blackjack is played with only one deck of cards, which makes the game simpler and faster than some other blackjack versions. Playing with less cards also gives players an advantage as there are fewer cards in the deck that can bust a player.
Why should you play single-deck blackjack?
Playing single-deck blackjack has a few advantages compared to other versions of the game. These include:
- The house edge in single-deck blackjack is typically lower than you'll find other variations of blackjack, such as American Blackjack. So this means that players have a better chance of winning at single-deck blackjack.
- You should find single-deck blackjack easier to learn than other blackjack variations due to playing with a single deck.
- Single-deck blackjack is more predictable than other variations of blackjack because there are fewer cards that can affect the outcome of the hand.
Is there anything to look out for when playing single-deck blackjack,?
Single-deck blackjack is one of the simplest blackjack games to pick up, although there are still some things to consider when playing:
- You might find it difficult to find a game of single-deck blackjack at an online casino as it is less common than other variants.
- Single-deck blackjack is more volatile than other variations of blackjack, so you can sometimes experience more ups and downs in your bankroll.
- This purely subjective, but some players find single-deck strategy less exciting that other versions as there are less cards in the game and, therefore fewer outcomes.
What is the best single-deck blackjack strategy?
Here are some tips when using a single-deck blackjack strategy:
- We'd say this about blackjack generally, but learning basic blackjack strategy can give you the best possible chance of winning. Blackjack strategy enables you to learn the rules and odds so you can, over time, play every possible hand in blackjack.
- Like all versions of blackjack and other card games, never bet more money than you can afford to lose.
- Play responsibly and remember to take regular breaks from playing single-deck blackjack to avoid getting tired or making careless mistakes.
This article was first published in July 2019. Last updated: November 2023.