Compact Algorithmic Blackjack Card Strategy

Las Vegas Strip Rules

Action Don't Bother When Do When
Split
(m, n), mn
    (A, A)
OR  (8, 8)
OR  (9, 9)            AND dealer.(9|6..2, ?)
OR  (7, 7)            AND dealer.(  7..2, ?)
OR  (6, 6)            AND dealer.(  6..3, ?)
OR ((3, 3) OR (2, 2)) AND dealer.(  7..4, ?)
Double
   dealer.(A, ?)
OR Σ ≤ 8
OR Σ ≥ 12
OR (A, n), n ≥ 8
NOT dealer.(A, ?)
AND (   Σ = 11..10  AND dealer.Σ < Σ
     OR Σ = 9       AND dealer.(6..3, ?)
     OR (A, 7..6)   AND dealer.(6..3, ?)
     OR (A, 5..4)   AND dealer.(6..4, ?)
     OR (A, 3..2)   AND dealer.(6..5, ?))
Hit
   Σ ≥ 17
OR (A, n), n ≥ 8
   Σ ≤ 11
OR (A, 6..2)
OR (Σ = 12     AND NOT dealer.( 6..4, ?))
OR (Σ = 16..13 AND NOT dealer.( 6..2, ?))
OR (A, 7)      AND     dealer.(9|X|A, ?)
The Don't Bother When column is for short-circuit
evaluation. If your cards indicate you should not do an
action, then move on to the next row. If it does not
indicate you shouldn't do it, then move further along the
same row to check for sure.


Anand Natrajan, nuts@anandnatrajan•com