Get instant optimal play recommendations for any blackjack hand combination
When you have Soft 18 (A,7) and the dealer shows 8, the mathematically optimal play according to basic strategy is to stand. This means you should keep your current hand and let the dealer play.
With a soft 18, you have a strong hand that doesn't need improvement. The Ace gives you flexibility, but your current total is favorable enough to stand.
Select whether you have a hard hand (no Ace or Ace counted as 1), soft hand (Ace counted as 11), or a pair.
Click on the button that represents your hand total or card combination.
Select the dealer's visible card to complete the scenario.
Click "Get Recommendation" to see the optimal play, explanation, and expected value.
Get immediate optimal play recommendations for any hand combination.
Understand why each decision is optimal with mathematical reasoning.
See the mathematical expectation for each possible action.
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Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal way to play every hand in blackjack. It's based on computer simulations of millions of hands and reduces the house edge to its minimum. This calculator implements perfect basic strategy for standard rules.