Independent Educational Resource
Understand gambling
before you play.
We explain how games work, what the real odds are, and what gambling laws say in each state. No winning promises — some links on this site are affiliate links, always disclosed, and never allowed to influence what we recommend.
Reading from the US or Canada? Pick your country above — laws and licensing differ by jurisdiction.
Basic strategy chart
| Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8− | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| 9 | H | D | D | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
| 10 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H | H |
| 11 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H |
| 12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 13 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | SU | H |
| 16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | SU | SU | SU |
| 17+ | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
GamblersGuide is an independent educational resource. We explain how casino games work, what the real odds really are, and what gambling laws say in your state — without winning promises. Where a page contains an affiliate link, we say so on that page.
Learn the games
Game Guides
How every major casino game works — rules, real odds, and house edge explained clearly. Written for beginners, honest about the math.
Looking for a specific game?
We cover blackjack, poker, roulette, slots, baccarat, craps, and sports betting.
Free strategy tool
The mathematically perfect blackjack play — for every hand
This chart reduces the house edge from 2–3% down to 0.5%. Hover any cell to understand why.
| Your hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 or less | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| 9 | H | D | D | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
| 10 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H | H |
| 11 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H |
| 12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 13 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | SU | H |
| 16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | SU | SU | SU |
| 17+ | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
Why trust GamblersGuide?
We give you accurate, honest information so you can make informed decisions — including the decision not to gamble. Where a page contains an affiliate link, we disclose it on that page. Editorial content is never influenced by commercial relationships.
Our Mission & Editorial Standards