Blackjack math
Curious decisions explained with expected value
The strategy chart gives the move. These articles explain why the move works, using the same rules as the trainer: 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split and late surrender.
Pair strategy
Why you should always split Aces in blackjack
Splitting Aces turns one cramped hand into two starting hands with the strongest first card in the game.
Two Aces are worth more as two hands than as soft 12.
3 min
Pair strategy
Why you should always split 8s in blackjack
A pair of 8s makes hard 16, one of the weakest blackjack hands. Splitting it reduces the long-term damage.
Splitting 8s is not about being safe; it is about losing less.
4 min
Side bets
Why blackjack insurance is usually a losing bet
Insurance sounds protective, but without card counting it has a negative expected value against a normal shoe.
Insurance pays 2:1, but the dealer does not have blackjack often enough.
3 min
Surrender spots
Why hard 16 against dealer 10 is usually surrender
With late surrender available, hard 16 against a dealer 10 is so weak that giving up half the bet is often the best mathematical result.
With surrender allowed, 16 vs 10 is a surrender spot, not a hit spot.
4 min
Double down
Why doubling 11 is one of the strongest blackjack moves
Hard 11 cannot bust with one card and has many ways to become a premium total, so doubling increases value.
On 11, one card can turn extra money into extra expected value.
3 min