Blackjack Strategy Advisor
Master the optimal blackjack strategy with our interactive advisor. Learn when to hit, stand, double down, or split based on mathematical probabilities.
Blackjack Strategy Advisor
Your Hand vs Dealer's Up Card
Dealer's Hand
Click on the dealer's up card to select it
Your Hand
Click on empty card slots to add your cards
Strategy Explanation
Click on the dealer's up card and your hand cards to see the optimal playing strategy.
Basic Strategy Tips
- Always stand on 17 or higher
- Always hit on 11 or lower
- Double down on 11 against dealer 2-10
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Never split 10s, 5s, or 4s
Blackjack Variations
Classic Blackjack
The Game
The most common form of blackjack found in casinos worldwide. Players compete against the dealer to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
Key Features
- Dealer stands on all 17s
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Double down on any two cards
- Split up to 3 times (4 hands total)
- No surrender option
House Edge
With perfect basic strategy, the house edge is approximately 0.5%. This makes blackjack one of the best games for players in the casino.
European Blackjack
The Game
A popular variation in European casinos with some rule differences that affect strategy and house edge.
Key Differences
- Dealer doesn't check for blackjack until after players complete their hands
- Only allowed to double down on hard 9, 10, or 11
- No hole card - dealer receives second card after players finish
- Typically played with 2 decks
- Split only once
House Edge
The house edge is slightly higher than classic blackjack, around 0.6% with perfect basic strategy due to the more restrictive rules.
Spanish 21
The Game
A popular blackjack variant played with a Spanish deck (48 cards - all 10s removed) which increases the house edge but offers player-friendly rules.
Player Advantages
- Player 21 always wins
- Player blackjack beats dealer blackjack
- Double down after splitting allowed
- Late surrender available
- Bonus payouts for certain 21 combinations
House Edge
Despite player-friendly rules, the removal of 10s increases the house edge to about 0.4-0.8% with perfect strategy.
Blackjack Switch
The Game
An exciting variation where players play two hands simultaneously and have the option to switch the top cards between hands.
Unique Rules
- Play two hands at once with equal bets
- Option to switch second card between hands
- Dealer hits soft 17
- Blackjack pays even money instead of 3:2
- Push if dealer has 22 (except player blackjack)
House Edge
The house edge is approximately 0.2-0.6% with optimal switching strategy, making it competitive with traditional blackjack.
Blackjack Rules & Strategy
Rules & Basics
Card Values
- Number cards (2-10): Face value
- Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points
- Aces: 1 or 11 points (player's choice)
- Blackjack: Ace + 10-value card (21 in two cards)
Gameplay
Players are dealt two cards face up. The dealer receives one card face up and one face down. Players can then choose to hit (take another card), stand (keep current hand), double down (double bet for one card), or split (if they have a pair).
Winning Conditions
Blackjack
A two-card 21 (Ace + 10-value card) pays 3:2 (unless dealer also has blackjack, then push).
Beat the Dealer
Have a higher hand than the dealer without exceeding 21. Pays 1:1.
Dealer Busts
If dealer exceeds 21, all remaining player hands win. Pays 1:1.
Strategy & Tips
Basic Strategy
Basic strategy is a mathematically proven set of decisions that minimizes the house edge. It tells you the optimal play for every possible hand combination against every possible dealer up card.
Bankroll Management
Set a budget before playing and stick to it. A common approach is the 5% rule - never bet more than 5% of your total bankroll on a single hand. This helps withstand normal variance.
Card Counting
Card counting is a advanced technique that tracks the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck. When the count is high, players have an advantage and should increase their bets. Note: Card counting is legal but casinos may ask counters to leave.
Common Mistakes
- Taking insurance (except for card counters)
- Not doubling down when basic strategy recommends it
- Playing by intuition instead of mathematical strategy
- Chasing losses with progressive betting systems
- Splitting 10s or 5s
Blackjack Side Bets
21+3
The Bet
This side bet combines your first two cards with the dealer's up card to form a three-card poker hand.
Payouts
- Suited Three of a Kind: 100:1
- Straight Flush: 40:1
- Three of a Kind: 30:1
- Straight: 10:1
- Flush: 5:1
House Edge
The house edge for 21+3 is typically around 3-4%, significantly higher than the main blackjack game.
Perfect Pairs
The Bet
This side bet pays if your first two cards form a pair, with higher payouts for more perfect pairs.
Payouts
- Perfect Pair (same rank and suit): 25:1
- Colored Pair (same rank and color): 12:1
- Mixed Pair (same rank, different color): 6:1
House Edge
The house edge for Perfect Pairs is typically around 2-3%, making it one of the better side bets available.
Insurance
The Bet
When the dealer shows an Ace, players can take insurance - a side bet that the dealer has blackjack.
How It Works
Insurance costs half your original bet and pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer doesn't have blackjack, you lose the insurance bet but play continues with your original hand.
House Edge
Insurance has a house edge of approximately 5-7% for basic strategy players. It's generally only advantageous for card counters when the deck is rich in 10-value cards.
Lucky Ladies
The Bet
This side bet pays based on the total of your first two cards, with special bonuses for certain combinations totaling 20.
Payouts
- Queen of Hearts Pair + Dealer Blackjack: 1000:1
- Matched 20 (same rank and suit): 200:1
- Suited 20 (same suit): 25:1
- Any 20: 9:1
House Edge
The house edge for Lucky Ladies is typically around 20-25%, making it one of the worst side bets for players.
History of Blackjack
Blackjack originated in French casinos around 1700 where it was called "Vingt-et-Un" (French for 21). The game was derived from other French card games like Chemin de Fer and French Ferme.
The game was introduced to the United States in the 19th century but wasn't particularly popular until casinos in Nevada offered bonus payouts for specific hands - particularly a hand containing the Ace of Spades and a black Jack (either Clubs or Spades). This hand was called "blackjack" and the name stuck even after the bonus payout was discontinued.
In the 1950s and 1960s, blackjack's popularity exploded thanks to books like Edward O. Thorp's "Beat the Dealer" which introduced card counting to the public. This led to a battle between casinos trying to counter card counters and players developing more sophisticated techniques.
Today, blackjack is one of the most popular casino games worldwide, available in virtually every casino and in numerous online variations. The game continues to evolve with new variants and side bets being introduced regularly.
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Use our strategy advisor to learn optimal plays and improve your blackjack skills.