Blackjack Strategy Calculator

How to Use the Calculator Tool

If you’re not quite sure how to use our strategy calculator, we’ll break it down in a few simple steps.

• Step 1: Set the calculator to match your table. Use the dropdown menus on the left to choose the number of decks and the rules that apply to the game you’re playing. The chart adjusts based on your selection, so double-check everything before moving on.

• Step 2: Start the round and note the key variables. Once you place your bet and receive your cards, take a look at two things: your total hand value and the dealer’s visible card. You’ll need both to figure out your next move. If you’re not sure what your hand total is, check out our guide to card values in blackjack. 

• Step 3: Find the right move using the chart. Match the dealer’s upcard to the vertical columns and your hand total to the horizontal rows. Where the two meet, you’ll see the action you should take — just refer to the legend in the corner if you’re unsure what the symbol means.

• Step 4: Follow the advice and repeat if necessary. Some rounds will wrap up after a single decision, but others may require a few steps. If you draw a new card, go back to the chart with your updated hand and keep playing until it tells you to Stand.

If used correctly, the calculator’s charts will allow you to minimize the house advantage and maximize the expected value of blackjack. Depending on the table rules, this will bring the house edge down to around 0.5%. 

However, it will not allow you to gain an advantage over the casino. That’s impossible unless you combine the chart with advantage play methods such as card counting, which is generally not a viable strategy for online blackjack.

Player Moves

The different moves you can make as a player should be clear to anyone who knows how to play blackjack. If you need a refresher on the game’s basics, check out our blackjack tutorial for an in-depth guide.

For the sake of clarity, we’ll cover what the basic moves mean and how they work.

• Hit – Hitting means you draw a single additional card. This leaves you with a new hand total, in which case you go back to the chart and decide what the next move should be.
• Stand – Once you decide to Stand, you will receive no additional cards and cannot make any additional moves during the current round.
• Split – A Split can only be performed when you draw two cards of the same rank. It turns your hand into two separate hands. If you Split, treat the resulting hands the same as a regular hand. Simply treat both hand values as you would normally, and follow the chart as described above.
• Double – Doubling Down allows you to double the stake in the middle of a round. In exchange, you’re forced to only draw one additional card, after which your hand Stands. 
• Surrender – This option allows you to forfeit your current hand and receive half of your stake back. Although not all tables allow you to Surrender, it’s sometimes the optimal solution if your hand is particularly weak. 

Rule Variations Explained

If you’re not quite sure what the options on the left mean or why they matter, we can quickly explain their meaning and importance.

If you’re not sure which rules are used at your chosen blackjack table, you can easily find out by opening up the in-game rules screen. If you’re playing at a real-life table, simply ask the dealer what the rules are and how many decks are in a card shoe.

• Number of Decks: The number of decks in the shoe is extremely important for your strategy and decision-making. The optimal blackjack strategy for a single-deck game is quite different from a 4-8 deck chart. Generally speaking, most forms of live dealer blackjack use 6 or 8 decks, which means you should set the calculator to 4+ decks.

• Soft 17 Rule: The Soft 17 Rule in blackjack dictates whether the dealer Hits or Stands on a Soft 17 (hand total of Ace + 6). Though seemingly inconsequential, this rule impacts the optimal player moves in specific situations. Tables that force the dealer to Stand on a Soft 17 have a slightly lower house edge, which makes them preferable.

• Double After Split: Most modern blackjack tables do not allow players to Split their hand after Doubling. Some do, and this specific rule can also impact what the best blackjack chart looks like.

• Dealer Peek: In Vegas-style blackjack, the dealer takes a look at their face-down card whenever they’re showing an Ace or 10-value card. If they hit Blackjack, the round immediately ends. This is generally considered a player-friendly rule because it allows you to avoid unnecessary Doubles or Splits.

Why Use Our Blackjack Strategy Calculator?

In short, it allows you to quickly reference a blackjack table and know what to do in any given situation. This can be extremely helpful for newbies because the strategies are based on hard maths and statistics. These aren’t just our suggestions – they’re the mathematically proven optimal moves.

Experienced blackjack players typically know these moves like the back of their hand. However, even veterans may run into tables with different rules than what they’re used to. Moreover, having quick access to an easily referenced chart means you can relax and focus on having fun instead of worrying whether you’re making the right decisions.

In the long run, the blackjack solver tool also allows you to learn to play the game yourself. Given enough time and practice, you’ll eventually stop needing it at all.

However, your long-term winnings still depend on a lot of outside factors, such as which tables you’re playing and in which casino. If you’re looking for the best live dealer blackjack games and the top casinos to play them in, check out our main blackjack page.