Blackjack is unique among casino games because it is solvable. There is a mathematically “perfect” move for every single combination of cards. This is called Basic Strategy.
Playing by “feel” gives the casino a 2-4% edge. Playing by Basic Strategy reduces that edge to under 0.5%. Our interactive tool tells you exactly what to do instantly—no need to memorize complex charts.
How to Use the Blackjack Strategy Advisor
The calculator replicates the standard decision matrix used by professional players.
- Select Your Hand: Choose your current total from the dropdown menu.
- Hard Totals: Hands without an Ace, or where the Ace counts as 1 (e.g., 10 + 6 = 16).
- Soft Totals: Hands with an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace + 6 = Soft 17).
- Pairs: Two cards of the same rank (e.g., 8,8 or A,A).
- Select Dealer’s Up Card: Choose the one card the dealer is showing.
- Get the Action: The tool will instantly display the optimal move:
- HIT: Take another card.
- STAND: Hold your current total.
- DOUBLE: Double down (double bet, get exactly one card).
- SPLIT: Split the pair into two hands.
Example: The Most Common Mistake
Imagine you are dealt a Hard 16 (e.g., King + 6). This is the worst hand in Blackjack. The Dealer shows a 7.
Most amateur players are afraid to bust, so they STAND. This is mathematically wrong.
- The Math: If you Stand on 16 vs 7, you lose significantly more often than if you Hit. Even though hitting is risky, standing guarantees a loss if the dealer has a 10, J, Q, or K in the hole (which is very likely).
- The Calculator’s Advice: Select “16” and Dealer “7”. The tool will tell you to HIT. It feels scary, but it saves you money in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Basic Strategy?
Basic Strategy is a set of rules calculated by computer simulations of millions of hands. It dictates the move that offers the highest expected return (or lowest expected loss) for every possible scenario.
Does Basic Strategy guarantee I will win?
No. It minimizes the House Edge, but does not eliminate it completely. You will still rely on luck, but you will lose less money over time compared to a player playing randomly.
Why should I always Split Aces and Eights?
Aces: Splitting gives you two chances to hit Blackjack (or 21).
Eights: A Hard 16 is a terrible hand. Splitting gives you two chances to start with an 8 (where a 10 gives you 18, a strong hand).
What if the casino doesn’t allow Surrender?
This calculator assumes standard rules (Hit Soft 17, No Surrender). If you cannot Surrender (e.g., on 16 vs Dealer 10), the next best mathematical move is usually to Hit.