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Basic strategy

The mathematically best play using your cards and the dealer upcard.

Hard total

A hand with no ace counted as 11.

Soft total

A hand with an ace counted as 11.

Stiff hand

A hard total from 12 through 16 that can bust easily when hit.

Double down

Double the bet and receive exactly one more card.

Split

Separate a pair into two hands with an additional bet.

Double after split

A rule that allows doubling on a hand created by splitting a pair.

Surrender

Give up the hand and lose half the bet when table rules allow it.

Insurance

A side bet offered when the dealer shows an ace. It pays only if the dealer has blackjack.

Running count

The live Hi-Lo count as cards are seen.

True count

Running count adjusted by decks remaining.

Penetration

How much of the shoe is dealt before reshuffling.

Push

A tie where the original bet is returned.

Shoe

The stack of decks used in multi-deck blackjack.

H17

Dealer hits soft 17.

S17

Dealer stands on soft 17.