How does the trainer know what a mistake cost?

It works it out. For the exact cards on the table, the engine behind our charts computes what every move is worth, playing the chart for the rest of the hand, and the cost is the chart move’s value minus yours. Standing on 16 against a 10 when the chart says hit is a small mistake; splitting 10s is a big one, and the numbers say so.

What does “the house edge you face” mean?

The house edge of the game (0.41% in a 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17) plus what your mistakes cost per hand. Play the chart perfectly and it is the game’s edge. Most casual players run a percent or two above it.

Is hitting 16 against a 10 really right?

Yes, barely. Per dollar bet, standing loses about 54 cents and hitting about 53. With late surrender, giving up half the bet beats both.

Why does it want me to hit soft 18 against a 9?

Because 18 loses to a 9 more often than it looks: the dealer’s 9 makes 19 a lot. Per dollar bet, standing on A,7 against a 9 loses about 18 cents and hitting about 10. And a soft hand can’t bust on one card.

Does it save my progress?

No. Nothing leaves your browser and nothing is stored: no account, no email. The counters reset when you reload or change the game.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Trainer

Play hands. Every decision is graded against the chart, with the exact cost of every mistake. Free, no signup.

Game Late surrender

Dealer

You

Press Deal. Every decision is graded against the chart.

Decisions: 0
Right: —
Mistakes cost, per hand: —
House edge you face: 0.41%
Bets won or lost: 0

Watch the cost, not the chips

Win or lose, a few hundred hands of blackjack is mostly luck. The cost of your decisions isn’t: each one has an exact price the moment you make it, whatever the next card does. That is what “mistakes cost” adds up. Get it to zero and you are playing the house’s smallest edge.

Where people lose it

Not on the big hands. On the ones that feel wrong: hitting 12 against a 2 or 3, doubling soft hands, splitting 9s against a 9, not splitting 8s against a 10. And on the ones that feel safe: standing on soft 18 against a 9, 10 or ace. The trainer’s mistake list shows which are yours.

Learn it off the chart first

Six charts, one per game. Print the one for your table:

Single deck, dealer stands on soft 17 Single deck, dealer hits soft 17 Double deck, dealer stands on soft 17 Double deck, dealer hits soft 17 6 and 8 deck, dealer stands on soft 17 6 and 8 deck, dealer hits soft 17

Frequently asked questions

How does the trainer know what a mistake cost?: It works it out. For the exact cards on the table, the engine behind our charts computes what every move is worth, playing the chart for the rest of the hand, and the cost is the chart move’s value minus yours. Standing on 16 against a 10 when the chart says hit is a small mistake; splitting 10s is a big one, and the numbers say so.
What does “the house edge you face” mean?: The house edge of the game (0.41% in a 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17) plus what your mistakes cost per hand. Play the chart perfectly and it is the game’s edge. Most casual players run a percent or two above it.
Is hitting 16 against a 10 really right?: Yes, barely. Per dollar bet, standing loses about 54 cents and hitting about 53. With late surrender, giving up half the bet beats both.
Why does it want me to hit soft 18 against a 9?: Because 18 loses to a 9 more often than it looks: the dealer’s 9 makes 19 a lot. Per dollar bet, standing on A,7 against a 9 loses about 18 cents and hitting about 10. And a soft hand can’t bust on one card.
Does it save my progress?: No. Nothing leaves your browser and nothing is stored: no account, no email. The counters reset when you reload or change the game.

Keep going

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