Blackjack calculator

How to Use the Blackjack Strategy Calculator

Our blackjack strategy calculator tells you the best basic-strategy move for any starting hand. Because it shows the answer as soon as you pick your cards, there is no button to press. If you are new to the game, read our online casino basics guide first. Alternatively, see Wikipedia’s overview of blackjack for background on basic strategy.

1. Pick your two cards

First, tap your first card on the table. Then choose its value from the row of buttons underneath (A, 2–10, J, Q or K). After that, the calculator moves straight on to your second card and then to the dealer’s card. You can also tap any card on the table at any time to change it.

2. Pick the dealer’s upcard

Next, choose the dealer’s visible card in the same way. Meanwhile, the highlighted card on the table shows which card you are currently changing.

3. Read the recommended move

The best move appears in the middle of the table as a coloured badge. In addition, a short description of your hand appears underneath. The possible moves are:

• Hit (red): take another card.
• Stand (green): keep your total and end your turn.
• Double (amber): double your bet and take exactly one more card. If the table does not let you double, the note under the badge tells you whether to hit or stand instead.
• Split (blue): split a pair into two hands and place a second bet equal to the first.
• Surrender (grey): give up the hand and get half your bet back. However, this only appears when surrender is switched on.

Adjusting the Table Rules

4. Match the rules to your table (optional)

Use the switches under Table rules to match the game you are playing. The summary next to the heading then shows your current settings.

• Dealer stands on soft 17 is on by default. Turn it off if the dealer hits soft 17.
• Double after split is also on by default. Switch it off if you cannot double on a hand after splitting.
• Surrender allowed is off by default. Turn it on if the table lets you surrender.
• Decks can be set to 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8.

If you are unsure, leave the default settings, because they match most online blackjack tables in the UK.

5. See the full strategy chart

Tap Show the full strategy chart to see every hand at once, split into hard totals, soft totals and pairs. The chart updates when you change the table rules. What’s more, your current hand is outlined so you can see where it sits.

6. Reset and try another hand

Finally, press Reset hand to go back to the starting hand, or simply tap a card and change it.