Dr. Thorp's Beat The Dealer Basic Blackjack Strategy

Here's a little something I picked up a long time ago and thought you might find useful.
There was a book published some twenty years or more ago, called "Beat The Dealer" by
a Dr. Thorp, who systematically played some 100 million blackjack hands using computers
(obviously). From his results, he published the following tables in his book which lay out the
proper basic strategies for playing blackjack hands. This is pure math now...

Of course be advised that I make no claim other than what what is stated here.
I don't even enjoy playing blackjack (I find craps and poker more fun and profitable)...
nor do I endorse gambling...please...it's all mathematics to me...

The top table is for single deck blackjack (harder to find but still present in Las Vegas
and Atlantic City) and the bottom table is for double deck blackjack (more common).

The legend for both tables is quite simple:

Keep in mind that these are the basic strategies. There are adjustments
that need to be made to these plays depending on the particular house
rule variations and upon the leanness or richness of certain card types
remaining in the deck (for those card counters out there).

Enjoy and good luck; if you ever make a ton of money using this,
send me a postcard from the casino!

Home / Schedule / Academics / Standards / Special / Links