- Jul 24, 2015 Blackjack Basic Strategy Learn Black Jack Basic Strategy. Blackjack basic strategy is the most basic system that all blackjack players must master in order to become a successful player. Basic strategy is a mathematical system of charts that show you the correct mathematical play in.
- Aug 01, 2019 Blackjack basic strategy is a set of rules and guidelines which allow you to maximize your winning odds. It is very hard, if not impossible, to make a profit playing Blackjack, especially in the long term, if you’re not employing the basic strategy.
The first scientific and mathematically sound attempts to devise a basic strategy were published by Roger Baldwin, et al in 1953.In 1962, Edward Thorp published his findings of an optimal blackjack strategy using a high-speed digital computer. Julian Braun continued this work and published what most players know today as the correct basic strategy of the game.
Using our free Blackjack Trainer is simple and straightforward. You can press deal to begin immediately, or customize the options to mimic the version of blackjack that you would like to practice. The blackjack chart under “Help” will update depending on the options and rules of the game.
There are seven variables to tweak the Blackjack Trainer. To adjust these settings click the Options button:
1) Whether the Dealer hits or stands on soft 17:
- Dealer hits on soft 17 – worse for the player
- Dealer stands on soft 17 – better for the player
2) Are you allowed to double-down after splitting?
- Double allow after splitting – this is VERY important for the player and is typically the default for Vegas casinos.
- Double as first option only – you may only double down as your first play, not after splitting.
3) Is surrender allowed?
This is a rule that allows you to fold your hand immediately, prior to seeing the Dealer’s hole card, and sacrifice your hand to save half your bet.
- Allow surrender – surrender is typically allowed in 6 and 8 deck shoe games in Vegas. This is an excellent rule for players.
- No surrender – surrender is rarely allowed in single deck and double deck games.
4) How many decks are you playing?
- 8 decks – Vegas shoes are typically made up of 8 decks these days.
- 6 decks
- 4 decks
- 2 decks
5) How much does Blackjack pay?
Blackjack in a 6 deck or 8 deck shoe in Vegas typically pays 3:2, but there is a recent and disturbing trend for the big casinos to have blackjack tables that only pay 6:5 on tables with a shoe. The casinos are targeting casual players that are not aware of this difference. Be sure to find the tables that pay 3:2!
- Blackjack pays 3:2
- Blackjack pays 6:5 – this is typical for a double deck or single deck blackjack game.
6) Can you re-split your hands and if so, how many times?
You are always allowed to split your cards the first time, but if you are then dealt the same card again, can you split your cards again? In a shoe game, you are typically allowed to re-split up to 3 times.
- Re-split allowed (3)
- Re-split allowed (2)
- Re-split allowed (1)
- Re-split not allowed
7) Type of game you would like to practice.
- Hard mode – provides more difficult scenarios to test you.
- Splits only – play just splitting hands.
- Soft hands only – play just soft hands (hands with an ace).
- Random mode – purely random shuffle.
Once you’ve set up the table to your linking, the Blackjack Chart will update itself to show the optimum blackjack strategy to play. To view the chart, click the Help button. This will overlay the chart and show you the correct move for your last play.
Now click the Deal button to get started!
The point of this trainer is to play perfect blackjack strategy. You start with $1,000 of play money, but what’s more important is your playing accuracy. You’ll see that your moves will be tracked for your session providing you an accuracy rating. Your goal is to make the perfect strategic decision each time. You can start by consulting the blackjack chart to help you make the right decisions. But after a while, you should play without looking at the chart.
In the screen shot below, you can see that this player has made 24 correct moves and 1 incorrect move for an accuracy of 96%.
When using our Blackjack Trainer, pay close attention to this score, this is more important than your dollar balance. Random luck can sway your balance around, but as long as you are playing perfect blackjack strategy, you will give yourself the best chance of winning money long term!
To start learning optimal blackjack strategy, you should strictly follow the plays outlined in our blackjack charts. Based on the specific rules and options you set up, our blackjack charts adjust and prescribe the best strategic moves to make when playing blackjack.
Our blackjack charts tell you how to play your hand based on the rules and options of the game and the Dealer’s up card.
Looking at our blackjack chart, the number listed horizontally across the top corresponds to the Dealer’s up card. Find your hand (the player’s hand) along the left column of the chart and cross-reference your hand with the Dealer’s card to determine the play you should make.
Chart choices change the charts. For example, one chart is used when the dealer stands on soft 17 and another is used when the dealer hits on soft 17.
Other choices are used for things like re-splits. The chart doesn’t change here but decisions need to be checked. For example, if the player has re-splits turned on and he gets a third eight against a six after splitting the first two eights then the trainer will check to make sure he makes the right decision which is to split again. If re-splitting is turned off here then the trainer will check to make sure the player makes the right decision which is to stand.
There are a couple of notes to make when reading our blackjack charts. First, the X symbol – Surrender/Hit – this means that if the table allows Surrender, then you should surrender your hand. Otherwise, take a hit.
Similarly, the U symbol – Surrender/Stand – if the table allows for Surrender, then you should use it and surrender your hand. Otherwise, just stand with your hand.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, please use our contact form below.
Thank you for visiting Blackjack-Trainer.net. We hope enjoy learning to play perfect Blackjack strategy by using our trainer! If you have any questions, issues, or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
« « BlackJackBasic Strategy is the most basic system that all Blackjack players must master in order to become a successful player. It provides the Player with the optimal way to play based on the Player’s Total verses the Dealer’s Upcard. The system has been developed over several years of research and computer simulation. The result is a true Perfect or Correct Strategy, a mathematical imperative of best choices over time.
In Basic Strategy all we are learning to do is make the best decisions based on the cards we have and what the Dealer is showing. The Basic Strategy is based on the rules of Classic Twenty One, or Classic Blackjack, as detailed by NZonlinecasinos.kiwi. There are many other variations of blackjack, especially at online casinos, so the strategy would need to be adapted if playing another type. Other online blackjack games can get quite complex, such as Multi Hand Atlantic City Blackjack Gold, which the experts at CasinoCanuck.ca have done a great job of outlining here.
We know that the Dealer always Draws on 16 and Stands on 17. So it should be a safe bet to follow that strategy ourselves. In a sense, this is exactly what we do in Basic Strategy. However, if the Dealer is only showing a “6” or less, we don’t have to bother reaching 17 or more because the Dealer is more likely to Bust than to stand. In this way we make decisions that have been shown to benefit the Player most of the time.
In order to know the Basic Strategy there are three things you must learn:
- Simple Strategy – 7 Rules for Social Play
- When to Double Down
- When to Split Pairs
The Simple Strategy - Seven Rules for Social Play
In order to learn Basic Strategy thoroughly, and become fluent in play, the best thing to do is learn the Simple Strategy first. These 7 rules are easy to master and you will apply them in almost 90% or your play. In other words, this is the mainstay of Basic Strategy. The rules for Doubling Down and Splitting Pairs are added to this strategy to extend the Player’s advantage slightly more but here is the core.
Below is a table that shows 7 simple rules based on the “Player’s Total” verses the “Dealer’s Upcard”. You can also download a one page PDF to use as a practice guide. In order to learn the Basic Strategy it is recommended that you practice by dealing yourself some cards, and making the decisions over and over again.
Simple Strategy; Seven Rules to help you Lose Less | ||
| Player Does | Verses | Dealer's Upcard |
| Stand on 13 | V's | 2 or 3 |
| Stand on 12 | V's | 4, 5 or 6 |
| Stand on 17 | V's | 7 or more |
| Double Down on 11 verses Dealer's 10 or less | ||
| Double Down on 10 verses Dealer's 9 or less | ||
| Always Split 8,8's | ||
| Always Split A,A's | ||
Dealer's Upcard 7 or Less
When the Dealer is showing a 6 or less, he has a better than even chance of busting. So, the Player can pretty much relax and leave the Dealer to self-destruct. The only thing to remember is that if that upcard is a 2 or a 3, we stand on 13, not 12.
Stand on 13 verses Dealers 2 or 3. Stand on 12 verses Dealer’s 4, 5 or 6.
Double Down
‘Double Down” is when the Player double’s his bet on the first two cards, and receives just one more card in exchange. For example, if the Player’s first two cards are 8 and 3, he has a Total of 11. If he Hits, and he will, he has a better chance of hitting twenty-one than any other Total, and a better than even chance of a Total greater than 17. If he doubles his bet, he doubles his most likely rewards. But remember, if that card is a 5 or a 6 for example, the Player cannot hit again. When you Double-Down, you only receive one additional card. In addition to doubling down there are other basic strategies that can be used in Blackjack.
Always Split 8's, Always Split Aces
About Com Blackjack Basic Strategy Games
With two eights and you’ve got a Total of 16. No one wants a total of 16. Split and Hit, you’ve got a better than even chance of arriving at a Total of 17 or more. Even when the Dealer is showing a “6” or less and 16 would be a comfortable Stand, split the pair and double your rewards for Dealer’s better than even chance of Busting. So, all the odds say “Split”.
Splitting Aces would seem good sense to anyone, and it is. When you split Aces you only receive one additional card for each Ace. You can’t Hit again. If either of those cards is a “10” it’s not a Blackjack and only pays the usual 1 to 1, not 1½ to 1 . A Blackjack only applies the Player’s first two cards. That’s why it’s also called a “natural”. You don’t get it for extras.
Mastering Basic Strategy
Basic Strategy is not something that you can learn by walking into a casino and trying it out. You need to practice. It’s got to be second nature. And the best way to practice is to take a deck of cards and deal out a hand of BlackJack in the following manner.
As you go through the deck, make all the decisions, to Hit, Stand, Double Down, or Split. Play the Dealer’s draw on 16 and Stand on 17.
You can also deal out practice plays like this. You will go through the cards faster, so you can always combine two or more decks.
DOWNLOAD PDF: BlackJack - Basic StrategyPerfect Blackjack Strategy
Once you have mastered these simple rules , you will have in place the basis of Basic Strategy. In order to master the complete strategy, there are two more areas of refinement to attend to. These are the rules for 'doubling down' and the rules for 'splitting pairs'. These do not alter the rules you have learnt above. They build and extend on them.
Rules for Doubling Down | ||
| Double Down On | Verses | Dealer's Upcard |
| 11 | V's | 2-10 |
| 10 | V's | 2-9 |
| 9 | V's | 3-6 |
| A6-A7 | V's | 3-6 |
| A4-A5 | V's | 4-6 |
| A2-A3 | V's | 5-6 |
Rules for Splitting Pairs | ||
| Split | Verses | Dealer's Upcard |
| A,A | V's | Any Card |
| 9,9 | V's | 2-9 but not 7 |
| 8,8 | V's | Any Card |
| 7,7 | V's | 2-7 |
| 6,6 | V's | 2-6 |
| 4,4 | V's | 5-6 |
| 3,3 | V's | 2-7 |
| 2,2 | V's | 2-7 |
Further Reading:
Ken Uston's Blackjack World - The Official Ken Uston Web Site
WikiPedia - Ken Uston