Blackjack Strategy Calculator

Last updated: 2026-07-14

Generate color-coded blackjack basic strategy charts for any rule set. Practice mode, house edge calculator, and rule impact breakdown.

House Edge (With Perfect Play)
0.60%
Following the chart costs about $0.60 per $100 played — cheaper than almost anything else in the casino.
Hit
Stand
Double
Split
Surrender
Hard Totals
2345678910A
20SSSSSSSSSS
19SSSSSSSSSS
18SSSSSSSSSS
17SSSSSSSSSS
16SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
12HHSSSHHHHH
11DDDDDDDDDD
10DDDDDDDDHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
8HHHHHHHHHH
7HHHHHHHHHH
6HHHHHHHHHH
5HHHHHHHHHH
Soft Totals
2345678910A
A,9SSSSSSSSSS
A,8SSSSDSSSSS
A,7DDDDDSSHHH
A,6HDDDDHHHHH
A,5HHDDDHHHHH
A,4HHDDDHHHHH
A,3HHHDDHHHHH
A,2HHHDDHHHHH
Pairs
2345678910A
A,ASpSpSpSpSpSpSpSpSpSp
T,TSSSSSSSSSS
9,9SpSpSpSpSpSSpSpSS
8,8SpSpSpSpSpSpSpSpSpSp
7,7SpSpSpSpSpSpHHHH
6,6SpSpSpSpSpHHHHH
5,5DDDDDDDDHH
4,4HHHSpSpHHHHH
3,3SpSpSpSpSpSpHHHH
2,2SpSpSpSpSpSpHHHH
Practice Mode

Why Rule Selection Matters More Than Most Players Realize

The difference between a 6-deck H17 game (0.83% edge) and a single-deck S17 game (0.17% edge) is enormous over time. At $25/hand for 4 hours, that rule difference costs an extra $12.88 per session. Over 100 sessions, you'd pay $1,288 more at the worse table.

How the Strategy Chart Saves You Money

Every deviation from basic strategy costs you. Standing on 12 against a dealer 3 when you should hit costs about 2 cents per dollar bet. Failing to double on soft 18 against dealer 6 costs about 3.5 cents per dollar. These small leaks add up quickly.

Using Practice Mode to Memorize Strategy

Most basic strategy decisions are intuitive after a few hundred practice hands. The hard spots are soft doubles, pair splits against mid-range dealer cards, and 12 versus dealer 2-3. Practice mode focuses on building reflexive responses so you never hesitate at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is basic strategy in blackjack?
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal play for every possible hand combination versus every dealer upcard. Following it perfectly reduces the house edge to its minimum — typically 0.5-0.8% depending on table rules.
How do rule variations affect the house edge?
Dealer hitting soft 17 adds 0.22% to the edge. 6:5 blackjack payout adds 1.39%. No double after split adds 0.14%. Each rule change shifts the edge, and this calculator quantifies the exact impact.
Should I always follow basic strategy?
Yes. Basic strategy is the mathematically proven optimal play without card counting. Deviating based on hunches or patterns always increases the house edge over time. The strategy chart accounts for all probabilities.
What is the difference between S17 and H17?
S17 means the dealer stands on soft 17 (ace + 6). H17 means the dealer hits soft 17, giving the house an extra 0.22% edge because the dealer gets more chances to improve their hand.
Why should I avoid 6:5 blackjack?
6:5 blackjack pays $6 for every $5 bet on a natural, versus $7.50 at 3:2 tables. This single rule change adds 1.39% to the house edge, nearly tripling a good game's advantage for the casino.
When should I double down?
Double down on hard 11 against any dealer card, hard 10 against dealer 2-9, and hard 9 against dealer 3-6. On soft hands, double more aggressively against dealer 4-6. The strategy chart shows every specific situation.
When should I split pairs?
Always split aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s. Split 2s, 3s, 6s, and 7s against dealer 2-7. Split 4s only against dealer 5-6 with DAS. The strategy varies by rule set.
How does practice mode work?
Practice mode generates random hands and asks you to choose the correct action. It tracks your accuracy percentage and current streak. This is the fastest way to memorize basic strategy for your specific table rules.

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