Blackjack Basic Strategy

Actually computed strategy, not a copied chart

Instead of reproducing a published chart, this tool derives basic strategy from scratch every time a rule changes, simulating the exact probability of every dealer outcome (integrating the hidden hole card and the hit-or-stand-on-soft-17 rule) and the expected value (EV) of every player action, hit, stand, double, split or surrender, via dynamic programming over the remaining shoe. That means the chart genuinely reacts to the number of decks, the soft-17 rule, double-after-split and surrender, instead of always showing the same generic chart. The chart follows the standard industry convention ("total-dependent"): the dealer's distribution only accounts for the upcard, not the player's specific two cards, that's how published basic strategy charts are generated, and the real sensitivity to deck count comes from the shoe's own depletion during the draw simulation itself. The house edge shown is also computed, not typed in: it's the weighted average expected value across every possible starting 2-card hand, including the blackjack 3:2 bonus discounted by the chance the dealer also has one. In Advisor mode, splitting Aces always deals exactly one extra card per hand, with no doubling or resplitting, the standard casino rule.

Match your table's rules, then look it up

1. Open "Table rules" and set the deck count, soft 17, double after split, surrender and double range to match the table you play at.
2. In Chart mode, see the three grids (hard totals, soft totals and pairs) with the correct action for every combination against every dealer card.
3. In Advisor mode, pick your 2 cards and the dealer's upcard to see the recommended action and the expected value of every alternative.

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Sources and references for this tool

These references help contextualize formulas, standards, APIs and limitations used on this page. They do not replace professional validation when a result has legal, financial, medical or operational impact.

• A Favorable Strategy for Twenty-OneProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Edward O. Thorp, 1961), Original academic paper that mathematically demonstrated a favorable blackjack strategy exists, the historical basis of modern basic strategy.
• Expected Value, from Wolfram MathWorldWolfram Research, Definition of expected value (EV), the metric this tool’s engine maximizes at every decision.

Frequently asked questions

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