Mastering the Cards: A Friendly Guide to BJ ブラック ジャック (Blackjack) Strategy

The flicker of the casino lights, the rhythmic shuffling of the deck, and the hushed tension as the Dealer slides the final card—there’s nothing quite like the excitement of Blackjack.

For many, this game, known internationally as Blackjack, and often affectionately referred to in Japanese gaming circles as “BJ ブラック ジャック,” is the pinnacle of casino entertainment. It’s elegant, fast-paced, and unlike nearly every other game on the floor, it offers the player a genuine chance to reduce the house edge through pure skill.

When I first sat down at a Blackjack table, I was terrified. I was fumbling, relying on gut feelings, and frankly, losing money far too quickly. But I quickly realized that the pros weren’t just lucky; they were disciplined. They knew the math.

If you’ve ever wanted to move past guessing and start playing Blackjack with confidence, this guide is for you. We’re going to break down the most powerful tool in your arsenal: Basic Strategy.

The Allure of BJ: Why Strategy Matters

Blackjack is unique because it is a game of incomplete information, not pure chance. While the cards are randomly dealt, the probability of certain outcomes changes drastically based on what the Dealer is showing (the upcard) and what you already hold.

If you play perfectly—meaning you make the mathematically optimum move every single hand—you can reduce the casino’s edge down to a minuscule 0.5% (depending on the specific house rules). This is the key difference between Blackjack and games like Roulette, where the house edge remains fixed and unforgiving (around 5.26% in American Roulette).

My goal here isn’t to turn you into a professional card counter, but to equip you with the essential knowledge that turns a casual guesser into a strategic player.

Essential Blackjack Terminology (A Quick Glossary)

Before we dive into the strategy charts, let’s ensure we are speaking the same language. Here are the mandatory actions and terms you must know:

Term Japanese Equivalent (Example) Meaning
Hit (H) ヒット (Hitto) To ask the Dealer for another card.
Stand (S) スタンド (Sutando) To keep your current total and end your turn.
Double Down (D) ダブル ダウン (Daburu Daun) Double your original bet, receive exactly one more card, and then stand.
Split (P) スプリット (Supuritto) If you are dealt two cards of the same rank (e.g., two 8s), you may separate them into two new hands, placing an equal bet on the second hand.
Bust バスト (Basuto) When your hand total exceeds 21, resulting in an automatic loss.
Insurance インシュランス (Inshuransu) A side bet offered when the Dealer shows an Ace. Mathematically, this is almost always a bad long-term move.
Section 3: The Cornerstone of Success – Basic Strategy

Basic Strategy is simply the mathematically proven set of decisions that tells you exactly what to do based on your hand total and the Dealer’s upcard. It takes the emotion out of the equation.

As the famed statistician and pioneer of casino mathematics, Edward O. Thorp, once stated:

“The game of Blackjack is not a game of luck. It’s a game of skill, math, and discipline.”

Applying this strategy requires discipline, especially when it tells you to make a move that your “gut” disagrees with. Forget your gut—trust the math.

To keep things straightforward, we will focus on the two main strategy scenarios: Hard Totals (hands that do not include an Ace or where the Ace must count as 1) and Splitting.

Table 1: Hard Totals Strategy (H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double Down)

This chart covers the most frequent decisions you will make. Notice how much the move depends on the Dealer’s weakest cards (4, 5, 6) versus their strongest cards (7, 8, 9, 10, A).

Your Hand Total Dealer Showing 2 Dealer Showing 3 Dealer Showing 4 Dealer Showing 5 Dealer Showing 6 Dealer Showing 7+ (to Ace)
8 or less H H H H H H
9 H D D D D H
10 D D D D D H
11 D D D D D D
12 H H S S S H
13 S S S S S H
14 S S S S S H
15 S S S S S H
16 S S S S S H
17+ S S S S S S

Key takeaway: If the Dealer is showing a ‘Busting Card’ (3, 4, 5, or 6), you almost always stand on hands 12 through 16, allowing the dealer to take the risk.

Table 2: When to Split Your Pairs (P=Split, N=Don’t Split)

Splitting can be the fastest way to either build your stack or lose twice the money. Knowing when to double your exposure is critical.

Your Pair Dealer Showing 2-7 Dealer Showing 8-A What to Do
Aces (A, A) P P Always Split! (Gives you two chances for 21)
Tens (10, 10) N N Never Split! (10 is a great total; splitting ruins it)
Nines (9, 9) P N (Stand vs. 7) Split, unless the Dealer has a 7, 10, or Ace.
Eights (8, 8) P P Always Split! (16 is the worst hand; splitting turns it into two decent hands)
Sevens (7, 7) P (to 7) N Split only if the Dealer is showing 7 or less.
Sixes (6, 6) P (to 6) N Split only if the Dealer is showing 6 or less.
Fours (4, 4) N N Never Split (Treat as a Hard 8 and Hit).
Threes & Twos P (to 7) N Split only if the Dealer is showing 7 or less.
Five Common Mistakes That Beginners Make

Understanding Basic Strategy is one thing; executing it under pressure is another. Based on my experience watching new players, here are the vital missteps to avoid:

Taking Insurance: This is the biggest sucker bet in Blackjack. Insurance pays 2:1, but the true odds of the dealer having a Blackjack are 9:4 (or 2.25:1). It’s mathematically unsound unless you are counting cards and know the deck is rich in 10-value cards.
Splitting Tens: You are sitting on a guaranteed 20. Splitting this hand takes a winning position and turns it into two far weaker hands (two chances to make 21 or less, but with high risk). Stick with the 20!
Hitting on Hard 12 against a Dealer 5 or 6: Many players panic when they see a 12 because they fear the bust. However, if the dealer has a 5 or 6, they are highly likely to bust themselves. You stand, you wait.
Assuming the Dealer’s Upcard Doesn’t Matter: Every single decision you make—Hit, Stand, or Double—is dictated by the Dealer’s visible card. If you rely only on your total, you’ve missed the point of the game.
Chasing Losses: This is a general gambling mistake, but crucial in competitive games like Blackjack. Stick to your budget and strategy. If you lose five hands in a row, don’t start wildly changing your bets or decisions to “get even.”
Final Thoughts: Practice Makes Perfect

Blackjack isn’t just a game; it’s a puzzle you can solve every time you sit down. The joy of BJ ブラック ジャック comes from knowing you are making the best possible move, regardless of the outcome of that single hand.

You won’t win every time—that’s the nature of gambling—but by implementing Basic Strategy, you ensure that over the long run, you give the house the smallest possible advantage.

I strongly recommend printing out a small strategy card (most casinos allow non-electronic strategy guides at the table) or practicing online before you put real money down. Once those moves become instinctual, you can finally enjoy the game the way it was meant to be played: confidently and strategically.

Now go forth, trust the tables, and may the 21s be ever in your favor!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is it really okay to use the strategy chart at the table?

A: Yes! In most jurisdictions (including major casinos worldwide), using a basic strategy card is completely permitted. Casinos recognize that even with perfect basic play, they still hold a small mathematical edge. However, you cannot use electronic devices (like phones or tablets).

Q2: What is the difference between a “Hard Total” and a “Soft Total”?

A: A Hard Total is any hand without an Ace, or a hand where the Ace must be counted as 1 to avoid a bust (e.g., Ace, 6, 8 = Hard 15). A Soft Total includes an Ace that can be counted as 1 or 11 (e.g., Ace, 6 = Soft 17). Soft strategy is slightly more aggressive, often recommending doubling down, as you cannot bust on the next card.

Q3: What happens if I go against Basic Strategy?

A: Every time you deviate from Basic Strategy, you automatically increase the house edge. If you play based on guesswork and emotion, the house edge can easily jump from sub-1% to 2% or 3%, drastically reducing your chances of winning over time.