Black Jack Strategy Teacher is a blackjack simulator with builtin negative feedback to help the user learn the proper basic strategy decisions. In other words, it will prompt you with a row from a decision table if an incorrect decision is made. Note, there is no insurance. Insurance is not recommended unless you are counting cards. This program is not intended to be fancy with wiz bang graphics or sound. Besides, I believe in the KISS principle anyway. (Keep It Simple Stupid).

I wrote this program mainly because I wanted to practice certain situations. I do not play often enough to have all of the decisions down pat. The situations one can practice are hard decisions, soft decisions and split decisions. Hard decisions are the decsions made when one is first dealt two or more cards that can only total one way, such as ten and 5 (only total is 15). Soft decisions are the decisions made when one is first dealt two or more cards one of which or more is and ace, such as ace 5 (totals are 6 and 16). Split decisions are the decisions made when one is first dealt two cards that are the same, such as two aces (and always split decision). The practice mode allows one two practice hard, soft and split decisions some of which are rarely encountered in regular play. This also forces the player to practice in a manner which coincides with the decision tables.

This site does not include the basic rules and terminology of the game. There are other sites which already cover this as well as any good book. Please refer to the sites listed in the BLACKJACK INFO LINKS for more help.

The decision tables for this site are based on four or more decks being dealt and based on the rules displayed in the introduction. The one and two deck strategies, insurance and surrender are listed as changes to the four deck strategy for split after double. This way you are still playing four deck strategy if you make a mistake and forget something. If you are interested in tables for strategies other than four deck please check out blackjackinfo.com basic strategy engine. There are some minor differences in the tables however. The strategies listed in this web site are the minimum common changes gathered from six different sources and my own simulations.

Many players give the casino as much as a %6-%10 advantage over the long run. Playing basic strategy can reduce this advantage to about %0.5.

A little warning. Even if you play perfectly you can win and LOSE at lot of money in a very short period of time. I have personally won a thousand dollars in an hour as well as LOST a thousand dollars in an hour playing at a 25 dollar table, with a 3 to 1 bet spread. Please do not send me nasty mail if you lose, and always remember the best advise I have heard about gambling is "NEVER GAMBLE WITH MONEY YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE."

Finally if you have any questions specifically about blackjack, basic strategy, card counting, betting systems, etc., please feel free to contact me.