Blackjack Strategy Calculator

Not sure whether to hit, stand, double, split or surrender? Pick your two cards and the dealer’s upcard below and the calculator gives you the mathematically correct basic-strategy play instantly — the same answer a memorized strategy chart would.

Your two cards

Dealer’s upcard

Pair of 8s vs dealer 6

Split

Splitting this pair turns one hand into two stronger starting hands.

Reference game: 4–8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split, late surrender. Specific tables may vary slightly.

How to use it

Tap your first and second card, then tap the dealer’s upcard. The result panel shows the correct play, what your hand is (a hard total, a soft total, or a pair), and a short reason. Change any card to see how the right move shifts — it is the fastest way to learn basic strategy by feel.

What the actions mean

Hit — take another card.
Stand — keep your total and end your turn.
Double — double your bet for one more card.
Split — split a pair into two hands.
Surrender — forfeit half your bet to end a bad hand.

When the calculator says Double or Surrender but the rule is not available (for instance, after you have already taken a card), follow the fallback note it shows.

Why basic strategy matters

Basic strategy is the set of mathematically optimal plays for every hand. Following it lowers the house edge to around 0.5% — the best odds in the casino — while guessing can cost you several percent. The calculator is a learning aid; the goal is to play enough hands that the right move becomes automatic.

For the full chart and printable cheat sheet, see the strategy guide, and put it into practice on our free blackjack games.

Frequently asked questions

How does the blackjack strategy calculator work?

Select your two cards and the dealer's upcard. The calculator looks up the mathematically optimal basic-strategy play for that exact situation — hit, stand, double, split or surrender — for a standard game (4-8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split, late surrender).

Should I hit or stand on 16?

Stand on a hard 16 against a dealer 2 through 6, because the dealer is likely to bust. Against a dealer 7 or 8, hit. Against a 9, 10 or Ace, surrender if you can, otherwise hit. A pair of 8s totaling 16 is always split instead.

Is using a strategy calculator legal?

Using a calculator or chart for practice and learning is completely fine, and on a free game like this one there is nothing to restrict. In a live casino you cannot consult a device at the table, which is why players memorize the basic strategy chart instead.

Does the calculator account for different rules?

It uses the most common reference rules: 4-8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed, and late surrender allowed. A few plays shift under different rules (for example when the dealer hits soft 17), but the recommendations here are correct for the large majority of games.