Blackjack Trainer

1. Basic strategy

Basic strategy is the mathematically best play for every combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard. Played perfectly, it cuts the house edge to about 0.5%. Learn it before you learn to count, because counting only gains about 1%. Errors in basic strategy cost more than that.

Start with these rules of thumb:

• The dealer's 2–6 are bust cards. Against them, stand on stiff hands (12–16) and double more often.
• The dealer's 7–A are strong cards. Against them, hit stiff hands until you reach 17.
• Always split aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s.
• Double 11 against everything except an ace. Double 10 against 2–9.
• Soft hands (with an ace counted as 11) can't bust on one hit, so double them against weak dealer cards.

2. Hard, soft, and pairs

• A hard hand has no ace, or an ace that must count as 1 (for example, 10-6 or 10-5-A).
• A soft hand has an ace counted as 11 (for example, A-6 is soft 17). It can take a card without busting.
• A pair gives you the option to split into two hands, each with its own bet.

Learn the chart in three blocks: hard totals first, then soft, then pairs. The Strategy Drill lets you practice one block at a time.

3. Hi-Lo card counting

Low cards help the dealer and high cards help you: more blackjacks, better doubles, and more dealer busts. Hi-Lo tracks the balance with a running count:

Start at 0 after the shuffle and add each card's tag as it's revealed, including other players' cards and the dealer's hole card. A positive count means more high cards remain, so the edge shifts toward you.

A full deck sums to exactly 0. Counting down one deck and landing on 0 is the classic practice drill.

4. The true count

A running count of +6 means much more with 1 deck left than with 5. To adjust, divide by the decks remaining (estimate them from the discard tray, to the nearest half deck):

True count = running count ÷ decks remaining

+6 with 3 decks left → true count +2. +6 with 1.5 decks left → true count +4.

Each +1 of true count is worth about +0.5% to the player. Hi-Lo players usually have the edge at a true count of about +1 or higher.

5. Betting with the count

Counting only makes money if you bet more when you have the edge. A simple ramp:

• True count +1 or lower: 1 unit (the table minimum)
• True count +2: 1 unit · +3: 2 units · +4: 3 units · +5: 4 units … (true count − 1)

Turn on Show count in Play mode to see the suggested bet before each hand.

6. Insurance

When the dealer shows an ace, you're offered insurance: a side bet of half your wager that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.

• Basic strategy: never take it. About 30.8% of a fresh shoe is tens, and the bet needs at least 33.3% to break even.
• Counters: take it at a true count of +3 or higher. At that point the remaining cards are rich enough in tens that the bet is profitable.

"Even money" on your own blackjack is the same insurance bet, so the same rule applies.

7. Where to go next

After basic strategy and the count are automatic, learn the Illustrious 18: count-based changes to basic strategy. Insurance at +3 is the most valuable one. Others include standing on 16 vs 10 at a true count of 0 or higher, and standing on 12 vs 3 at +2.

Then use Play mode to put it all together under realistic conditions: count every card, size your bet, and make every decision while the coach grades you.