Blackjack Calculator

Online Free Blackjack Calculator

Free Blackjack Strategy Calculator

Blackjack — also known as 21 — is one of the most popular and enduring casino games in the world. It’s simple to learn, but mastering it requires strategy, probability, and discipline. Let’s break it down clearly.

  Objective of Blackjack

The goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without going over 21 (busting).

  Card Values

• Number cards (2–10): Face value
• Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points each
• Ace (A): 1 or 11 (whichever benefits the hand most)

  Game Setup

• Each player places a bet.
• Dealer gives two cards to each player and two to themselves (one face up, one face down).
• Players act first, then the dealer plays last.

  Player Options

• Hit: Take another card.
• Stand: Keep your current hand.
• Double Down: Double your bet, take one more card only.
• Split: If you have two cards of the same value, split them into two separate hands.
• Surrender (in some casinos): Forfeit half your bet and end the hand immediately.

  Dealer Rules

• Dealer must hit until reaching 17 (sometimes “soft 17” rules vary).
• Dealer cannot make strategic choices — they follow fixed rules.

  Payouts

• Winning hand: 1:1 (even money).
• Blackjack (Ace + 10-value card): 3:2 payout (some casinos offer 6:5, less favorable).
• Insurance: Side bet if dealer shows an Ace; pays 2:1 if dealer has blackjack (generally not recommended).

  Basic Strategy

Blackjack is partly a game of math. Using basic strategy charts, players can minimize the house edge (to ~0.5%).

Examples:

• Always stand on hard 17 or higher.
• Always hit on 8 or lower.
• Double down on 11 (unless dealer shows an Ace).
• Split Aces and 8s; never split 5s or 10s.

 Probability and House Edge

• House edge depends on rules (number of decks, dealer hits/stands on soft 17, payout ratios).
• With optimal play, house edge ≈ 0.5%.
• Casual players often face 2–4% edge due to mistakes.

  Blackjack in the USA vs Globally

• USA casinos: Often use 6–8 decks, with varying rules on soft 17.
• Europe: Dealer usually doesn’t take hole card until players finish.
• Online blackjack: Uses RNG (random number generators) or live dealers.

 FAQs

Q: What is the best strategy for blackjack? A: Use a basic strategy chart based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard.

Q: Can you count cards in blackjack? A: Yes, but casinos discourage it. Card counting reduces house edge but requires skill and discretion.

Q: What is a “soft hand”? A: A hand containing an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace + 6 = soft 17).

Q: Is insurance a good bet? A: Mathematically, no. It increases the house edge.

Q: What’s the difference between blackjack and 21? A: None — they’re the same game.