Free Online Blackjack Calculator: Calculate Your Odds
Use the PokerNews FREE online blackjack strategy calculator to get the best odds every time you play blackjack online.
No more guessing or trying your luck with yet another audacious "hit." With the free blackjack calculator, you can play online blackjack the way you were always supposed to.
How to Use the Blackjack Calculator
Follow these simple steps to try our Free Blackjack Calculator:
- Choose the dealer's card from the list on the right
- Choose your cards
- Set the 'Surrender Allowed' and 'On Soft 17 Dealer' filters based on the variant of blackjack you're playing
- Wait for the blackjack calculator to show you your best move
- Click on 'Reset' to start a new hand
Play Blackjack with a Bonus
Start your online Blackjack journey by playing with a bonus at our recommended online casino in your location.
Terms apply.
How does the Blackjack Hand Calculator work?
Why risk ruining your bankroll with the wrong move or count cards when you play blackjack online? Instead, you can use the online blackjack strategy calculator to know exactly when you are supposed to Hit, Stand, Surrender, Double, or Split.
Surrender Allowed?
The PokerNews Blackjack Calculator includes a 'Surrender Allowed' filter. Some blackjack games allow players to 'Surrender' their cards midway through a hand, earning half their bet back but forfeiting the other half to the dealer. This can be the optimal play if the dealer's first card is strong and your two starting cards make it unlikely you'll beat the dealer.
With our blackjack calculator, you can see when it's best to cut your losses during a hand or when it's better to fight on and try to make a better hand than the dealer. Find out more about how surrendering in blackjack works with our complete guide.
On Soft 17 Dealer...
Another filter our calculator includes is 'On Soft 17 Dealer...' Here, you must select whether the dealer must 'Stand' or 'Hit' on soft 17. 'Soft' in the case of blackjack means there is an Ace in the hand that can have the value of either 11 or one. This is important as having a soft hand means you cannot bust after another card.
For instance, let's say the dealer has an Ace and a six. This is a soft 17, as any card above a four will not bust their hand, but instead change the Ace's value from 11 to a one. So if the dealer's third card is an eight, the value of their hand goes from 17 (soft) to 15 - it's no longer soft as the Ace now cannot have a value of 11 or the dealer would go bust.
Different blackjack variants will have different rules for the dealer standing or hitting on soft 17 and it can significantly impact what the optimal play will be. So, make sure you've got the filter set correctly on our Blackjack Calculator depending on the rules in your game.
If you're not already familiar with the rules of blackjack then we suggest you view our 'How to Play Blackjack' video guide:
How to Play Blackjack in 7 easy steps
Here on PokerNews, we have a whole article dedicated to how to play blackjack, but if you're looking to learn quickly we have broken it down into 7 easy steps.
1. Understand the Aim: The main aim in blackjack is to beat the dealer by having a hand value as close to 21 as possible, without going over (busting). If your hand's value exceeds 21, you lose. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win. It's as simple as that.
2. Know the Card Values: Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10 points, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, depending on what benefits your hand the most.
3. Dealing: The game begins with each player, including the dealer, receiving two cards. Players usually receive their cards face up, while the dealer gets one face-up (upcard) and one face-down (hole card).
4. Playing Options: After receiving your initial two cards, you have several options:
- Hit: Request an additional card to increase your hand value.
- Stand: Choose not to take more cards and keep your current hand.
- Double Down: Double your initial bet and take one more card.
- Split: If you have two cards of the same rank (e.g., two 8s), you can split them into two separate hands, each with a new bet.
- Surrender: Some casinos offer the option to surrender, where you forfeit half your bet and give up your hand.
5. The Dealer's Turn: Once all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their hole card. The dealer must follow a specific rule- they must hit until their hand totals 17 or higher. If the dealer busts (goes over 21), all remaining players win. If the dealer doesn't bust, the player's and dealer's hands are compared, and the closest to 21 without going over wins.
6. The Payouts: Payouts vary but typically, winning player hands receive a 1:1 (even money) payout. If you get a "blackjack" (an Ace and a 10-value card), you usually get a 3:2 payout.
7. Repeat or Cash Out: You can choose to continue playing by placing another bet or cash out with your winnings.
The PokerNews blackjack hand calculator is your best ally to increase your chances of winning at blackjack. Using mathematical probabilities and the blackjack basic strategy charts, we developed an algorithm that shows you the optimal play every time you play a blackjack hand.
We base this calculation on all the information available in a blackjack game: the dealer upcard and your two hole cards.
Input this info in the tool, and the blackjack calculator will show you the best possible play of your blackjack hand based on mathematical probabilities, or what is known as basic blackjack strategy.
Basic Blackjack Betting Strategy
A blackjack calculator uses mathematical algorithms and a basic strategy chart to calculate the expected value of each possible decision. It considers factors such as the player's hand and the dealer's upcard. You can practice for free with our Blackjack calculator and there many different blackjack betting strategies that you can choose to adopt, but here we also include a table which shows you how you should play for every hand, according to basic blackjack betting strategy.
Basic blackjack betting strategy hand chart
| Hard totals | ||||||||||
| Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
| Player's hand | ||||||||||
| 17-20 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| 16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | SU | SU | SU |
| 15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | SU | H |
| 13-14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 11 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H |
| 10 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
| 9 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
| 5-8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| Soft totals | ||||||||||
| Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
| A,8-A,9 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| A,7 | S | Ds | Ds | Ds | Ds | S | S | H | H | H |
| A,6 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
| A,4-A,5 | H | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
| A,2-A,3 | H | H | H | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
| Pairs | ||||||||||
| Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
| A,A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
| 10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| 9,9 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | S | SP | SP | S | S |
| 8,8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
| 7,7 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
| 6,6 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
| 5,5 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
| 4,4 | H | H | H | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
| 2,2-3,3 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)
Blackjack Probability Calculator vs. Counting Cards
Card counting is a casino strategy some players use to reduce the house edge when they play blackjack. Made famous by the 'MIT Blackjack Team' in the 80s, this casino strategy isn't as effective when you play online.
Besides being quite difficult, card counting is effective only under very specific circumstances connected to the number of decks in play and how often the dealer shuffles them.
Although some online sites offer single-deck blackjack games - the best-suited variant for card counting - the majority of online games are built to make card counting nearly impossible.
That's where a blackjack tool like the probability calculator comes into play. As pointed out on this blackjack strategy guide the game's basic strategy gives you the guidance you need to reach optimal play and know exactly the best way to play each hand of blackjack.
There is no better way to improve your winning odds, so keep it open on the screen every time you play a blackjack game online if you want to get your top chances to win.
Find the Best Online Blackjack Games to practice using the Blackjack Calculator
On PokerNews you find some of the juiciest games of blackjack for free (and for real money), to play with a live dealer or to enjoy a solo match against a casino software.
To get started, select the games you would like to play:
If you are just starting out and you want to see what promotions are available to play blackjack games, have a look at this list of casino bonuses... and don't forget to read the terms and conditions and wagering requirements!
Best Online Casinos for Real Money Online Blackjack
Below we list the best sites for real money online blackjack. Register a free account, claim the bonus, and don't forget to use the blackjack calculator to increase your winning odds!
Check out our other Blackjack Guides:
Online Blackjack Calculator FAQs
If you want to know more about our free blackjack calculator, and about playing online blackjack in general, read our blackjack FAQs below:
What is a Blackjack Calculator?
The PokerNews blackjack calculator combines information about your blackjack hand with the game's basic strategy to show you what is the best way to play your cards. It helps determine the best moves, such as whether to hit, stand, double down, or split based on the player's and dealer's cards.
How Does a Blackjack Calculator Work?
A blackjack calculator uses mathematical algorithms and a basic strategy chart to calculate the expected value of each possible decision. It considers factors such as the player's hand and the dealer's upcard. There are many different Blackjack calculators out there, but the PokerNews version is very simple to use....
- Select the dealer's card
- Select your card
- Follow the instructions on the screen
To start a new hand of blackjack, click on the 'Reset' button and repeat the process.
Am I guaranteed to Win if I use a blackjack calculator?
No. The blackjack calculator is a free tool that shows you what is the best play of each hand based on mathematical calculation. While this helps you get the best winning odds possible in a game of blackjack, it does not give you the mathematical certainty to win every game you play.
Is using a blackjack calculator legal?
Using a blackjack calculator to make decisions during a game is generally legal in most casinos. However, using electronic devices to count cards is often prohibited. Always check the casino's rules and regulations to ensure you are in compliance.
What is basic strategy in blackjack?
Basic strategy in blackjack is a set of rules that suggest the optimal decisions for each possible combination of player hand and dealer upcard. A blackjack calculator often incorporates these strategies to recommend actions.
Can I rely solely on a blackjack calculator to play the game?
It's recommended to use a blackjack calculator as a learning tool to improve your understanding of the game and develop better decision-making skills. However, relying solely on a calculator without understanding the underlying strategies may not be ideal for long-term success.
Where can I find a blackjack calculator?
You can find blackjack calculators as mobile apps, online tools, or even build your own spreadsheet calculator based on the basic strategy chart, but we recommend using the PokerNews Blackjack calculator which you can find right here on this page.
Responsible Gambling Notice Please remember that blackjack is a gambling game, and you should always gamble responsibly. Many of the blackjack sites on PokerNews offer you free-to-play blackjack games with demo credits and bonus money. Even if you decide to take the 'play money' route, keep your play under control. If you feel things start to get out of hand or you have the impression that your blackjack games are becoming less enjoyable than they are supposed to be, have a look at this page.