Frequently asked questions
Short answers about PlayCorrect, the calculator, and the legal stance. 21+. Educational, not gambling advice.
What is PlayCorrect?
PlayCorrect is an educational blackjack basic-strategy calculator and a set of explainers. It is for adults 21 and over. It is not a casino, not a trainer that hides a count, and not gambling advice. The calculator is on the home page; the guides linked from it explain the plays.
Does basic strategy make blackjack a profitable game?
No. In a typical six-deck game that pays 3 to 2, peeks for blackjack, and allows double after split, following basic strategy reduces but does not eliminate the house edge. PlayCorrect will not tell you otherwise. A “correct” play can still lose.
Which table rules does the calculator assume?
You set decks (1, 2, 6, or 8), S17 or H17, DAS on or off, and late surrender on or off. Fixed: US peek, double any two cards, split to four hands, no resplit aces, one card to split aces, blackjack pays 3 to 2, never take insurance. Details are on the rule variations page.
Why did the answer change when I added a third card?
After two cards, some actions are no longer legal (double, split, surrender). Also, a three-card total can be a composition-dependent exception. A two-card 16 vs 10 is a hit without surrender; many three-card 16s vs 10, such as 4,5,7, prefer to stand. See exact-card plays.
What do “verified” and “computed” mean on a note?
Computed means the play and the EV margin come from this project’s engine and have not been spot-checked on a published hand calculator. Verified means we entered the same cards and rules into the Wizard of Odds hand calculator and the best play and expected values agreed to the reported decimals. We expanded that list to 31 hands on 10 Nov 2026.
Should I take insurance or even money?
Under basic strategy, no. Off a full six-deck shoe the insurance bet has expected value −0.073955 units. Even money is the same bet. See the insurance page.
Can I use this at a casino table?
No. Do not use a phone or an app to analyze strategy at the table. Where the house allows it, a printed card is the usual aid. The printable card page produces one for the chips you select.
Do you track the shoe or teach counting?
No. Exact-card notes use only your cards and the dealer upcard. There is no running count, no true count, and no index deviation.
How do you know the numbers are right?
We compute expected values from a finite shoe, then check total-dependent charts against Wizard of Odds (and the primary table also against Beating Bonuses). On 10 Nov 2026, 29 of 32 rule sets matched 350/350 cells. Three close pair cells disagree; they are listed on About accuracy. We do not invent match rates.
Is this site for people under 21?
No. Content is for adults 21 and over. If gambling is a problem, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
More detail: basic strategy, exact-card plays, about accuracy.