Strategy & Bankroll

Study every basic-strategy decision and Hi-Lo index deviation in the chart, then use Bankroll Lab to check EV, risk of ruin, and bankroll size for the table you want to play.

House edge with basic strategy+0.54%
vs Playmatches PlayPlay: 6D · H17 · DAS · late surrender · 3:2 · peek · shoe
Decks
Soft 17
Hole card
Double
Surrender
Double after split
HHitSStandDDoublePSplitRSurrenderIndex dot — colored by the indexed action

Hard Totals

Dealer upcard
Hand2345678910A
8
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
9
D
D
D
D
H
H
H
H
10
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
11
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
12
H
H
H
H
H
13
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
H
14
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
15
S
S
S
S
S
H
H
16
S
S
S
S
S
H
17
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S

Deviations

Hi-Lo index plays for this local rule set
30 rows
30/30 enabledChanges here affect the charts above only unless you Apply to Play

Illustrious 18

Ordered by profitability — rank #1 is most valuable
OnHandvsIndexPlayReference
#1InsuranceATC >= +3TakeTake at TC ≥ +3; otherwise decline
#21610TC >= 0SStand at TC ≥ 0; otherwise surrender
#31510TC >= +4SStand at TC ≥ +4; otherwise surrender
#410,105TC >= +5PSplit at TC ≥ +5; otherwise stand
#510,106TC >= +4PSplit at TC ≥ +4; otherwise stand
#61010TC >= +4DDouble at TC ≥ +4; otherwise hit
#7123TC >= +2SStand at TC ≥ +2; otherwise hit
#8122TC >= +3SStand at TC ≥ +3; otherwise hit
#911ATC >= -1DDouble at TC ≥ -1; otherwise hit
#1092TC >= +1DDouble at TC ≥ +1; otherwise hit
#1110ATC >= +3DDouble at TC ≥ +3; otherwise hit
#1297TC >= +3DDouble at TC ≥ +3; otherwise hit
#13169TC >= +5SStand at TC ≥ +5; otherwise surrender
#14132TC >= -1SStand at TC ≥ -1; otherwise hit
#15124TC >= 0SStand at TC ≥ 0; otherwise hit
#16125TC >= -2SStand at TC ≥ -2; otherwise hit
#17126TC >= -3SStand at TC ≥ -3; otherwise hit
#18133TC >= -2SStand at TC ≥ -2; otherwise hit

Additional Hand Indices

OnHandvsIndexPlayReference
86TC >= +2DDouble at TC ≥ +2; otherwise hit
15ATC >= +5SStand at TC ≥ +5; otherwise surrender
16ATC >= +3SStand at TC ≥ +3; otherwise surrender
A,62TC >= +1DDouble at TC ≥ +1; otherwise hit
A,84TC >= +3DDouble at TC ≥ +3; otherwise stand
A,85TC >= +1DDouble at TC ≥ +1; otherwise stand
A,86TC >= 0DDouble at TC ≥ 0; otherwise double

Surrender (Fab 4)

OnHandvsIndexPlayReference
1410TC >= +3RSurrender at TC ≥ +3; otherwise hit
159TC >= +2RSurrender at TC ≥ +2; otherwise hit
1510TC >= 0RSurrender at TC ≥ 0; otherwise surrender
15ATC >= -1RSurrender at TC ≥ -1; otherwise surrender
168TC >= +4RSurrender at TC ≥ +4; otherwise hit

A blackjack chart that matches your table — and your true count

Set decks, H17/S17, DAS, and surrender for your table's exact house edge. Then drag the true count slider to watch how Hi-Lo deviations override basic strategy at every count.

  1. Match the table

    Use the rule controls above so the chart matches the game you are studying.

  2. Read the cell

    Find your hand on the left and the dealer upcard on top — the intersecting cell is the recommended play.

  3. Drag the count slider

    Turn on the true count slider and drag through the Hi-Lo range to see deviations override basic strategy at every index.

Settings layout

Two kinds of rule controls

Rules are grouped into two tabs. Affects strategy holds the inputs that change which cells are correct — decks, H17/S17, DAS, surrender, peek, and resplit. Affects edge only holds rules that move the house edge but not the chart, like payout and side rules. Match both tabs to your real table for an accurate edge.

Deviations

Spot and study every index play

A colored dot in the corner of a cell flags a Hi-Lo deviation, and the dot color is the action it switches to. Tap any flagged cell to scroll the deviation reference table to that row with the exact index and conditions highlighted.

TC slider

The chart and the deviation table stay in sync

Drag the true count slider and the chart updates live while the matching rows in the deviation reference table light up. Study the entire count curve from one place — no jumping between charts and lookup tables.

Shareable setup

Share your exact table

Tap Share chart to copy a link that captures your table rules, deviation roster, and true count preview. Anyone who opens it sees the same chart, and one click of Apply to Play loads those settings into the trainer.

Blackjack chart FAQ

What is a blackjack basic strategy chart?
It is a table that tells you the best play for a given hand against a given dealer upcard. The correct cell depends on the table rules, which is why this chart lets you set decks, H17/S17, DAS, surrender, and other conditions before you study.
Which rule sets and decks does this chart cover?
All common variants are covered with full basic strategy and Hi-Lo deviations: single-deck, double-deck, four-, six-, and eight-deck shoe games, in both H17 and S17, plus DAS, surrender, ENHC, peek, and resplit options. The chart and the deviation tables update for every combination.
Does H17 change basic strategy?
Yes. H17 means the dealer hits soft 17, which gives the house a slightly stronger rule than S17. It changes a small set of close decisions and raises the house edge, so the chart should match the exact table you are playing.
What is a true count deviation?
A true count deviation is an index play where the count makes a different decision better than basic strategy. In Hi-Lo, the running count is adjusted for decks remaining; when the true count reaches an index, the chart can switch that cell to the deviation play.
What are the Illustrious 18 and the Fab 4?
The Illustrious 18 are the 18 highest-value Hi-Lo playing deviations, popularized by Don Schlesinger. They are paired with the Fab 4 — the four highest-value surrender deviations — and with the insurance index at TC +3, which together cover the most profitable count-based decisions for a Hi-Lo counter.
Can I share a configured blackjack chart?
Yes. Share chart copies a link that captures your table rules, deviation roster, and true count preview so anyone can study the same setup instantly. One click of Apply to Play loads those settings into the trainer for a live practice session.