Blackjack Hand Calculator

How to Use the Blackjack Hand Calculator

The tool is designed to be simple and beginner-friendly. However, it assumes you already understand the basic rules and gameplay of blackjack. If you need a refresher, you can find an in-depth tutorial here.

Once you understand the basics, here’s how to use the calculator:

• Step 1: Set the calculator to match your table. Use the menu on top of the calculator to set up the rules so they exactly match the rules of the table you’re playing on.
• Step 2 (Optional): Use the ‘Card Quantities’ feature to set up a running count. This feature allows the calculator to also account for the game’s running count, basically helping you count cards. Simply type in the remaining number of cards in the shoe for every card rank. The easiest way to use this feature is to start with a new shoe and adjust the numbers as new cards are drawn.
• Step 2: Select the dealer’s up-card. First, provide the rank of the dealer’s visible up-card. The suit of the card is irrelevant, so you only need to pick its value.
• Step 3: Select cards to match your current hand. Select card ranks in the tool to match your current hand. You can keep adding cards to the tool as you draw additional ones, which will re-calculate and provide the next optimal move.
• Step 4: Play the move with the highest expected value. The tool will provide calculated expected returns for every possible move in the provided scenario. The move with the highest number is the statistically optimal move. Bear in mind that expected returns will be negative most of the time.

What Do the Results Mean?

The calculator compares your current situation with established blackjack strategy charts. It then recommends the best action:

• Hit – Take another card.
• Stand – Keep your current hand.
• Double Down – Double your bet and take one last card.
• Split – If you have a pair, split it into two separate hands.
• Surrender – Forfeit your current hand and receive half of your stake back.

Note that the calculator displays the expected value of every currently available move. The best move is always the one with the highest value. However, the tool still provides the figures for sub-optimal moves as well, letting you play your own way and deviate from basic strategy if you so choose.

If you’re not familiar with expected value and why you want it to be as high as possible, check out this article.

Rule Variations Explained

The hand calculator tool was designed to account for the many rule variations available across different casinos. As such, it’s extremely important to ensure that the rules you’re calculating for match the rules you’re actually playing with.

Here are all of the variations that you the tool can be set up for:

• Number of Decks: The number of decks in the shoe is extremely important for blackjack strategy. 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). The latter variation is generally considered more player-friendly, but the difference is only noticable in a handful of very specific situations.
• Blackjack Pays: Player wins using a Natural 21 sometimes have different rewards. We only ever recommend that you play with 3:2 payouts, but the tool can account for worse odds as well.
• 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.
• Double Down rules: Some tables limit situations in which players can choose to Double.
• Maximum number of splits: Dictates whether players are allowed to Split their hands more than once during a single round.
• Split Aces: Sets up the calculator based on whether players are allowed to Split double Aces or not.
• Draw to Split Aces: Allows you to select whether the table allows players to draw additional cards after splitting Aces or not.
• 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.
• Surrender: Some blackjack tables allow the player Early or Late surrenders. This option toggles whether the calculator can suggest Surrenders and when they can be suggested.

Why Use Our Blackjack Hand Calculator?

Blackjack is partly a game of skill, and the right decision can lower the casino’s house edge. However, quickly making correct decisions based on basic blackjack strategy takes skill, practice, and attention to detail.

Our blackjack hand calculator tool takes a lot of the legwork out of using blackjack strategy charts. You no longer need to consult different tables and make calls based on variables – the calculator will do it for you. By following the tool’s recommendations, you’ll always know the mathematically correct move for your hand, helping you play smarter and stretch your bankroll further.

Of course, luck still plays a role, but using strategy ensures you get the best possible odds on every decision. Following its instructions brings the house edge in blackjack down to its lowest possible minimum.

Additionally, the calculator allows advanced players to adjust their decision-making based on the current running count. This simplifies one of the hardest aspects of card counting by giving you ready-made decisions.

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.