---
title: "Blackjack Strategy Guides: the EV Behind the Plays | BlackJackal"
description: "Blackjack strategy explained with expected value: why you hit 16 against a 10, why you never take insurance, and the free interactive strategy chart."
url: https://blackjackal.ca/guides
updated: 2026-09-29
---

EV explainers

# The math behind the plays that feel wrong

Each guide takes one argued-about blackjack decision and settles it with expected value, in plain English, with the counting shown.

[3 minute read Why you hit 16 against a 10 You bust 62% of the time and it’s still right. What standing actually costs, why surrender quietly beats both, and the three-card wrinkle a paper chart can’t show you.](https://blackjackal.ca/why-hit-16-vs-10)

[3 minute read Never take insurance: the actual math The friendliest-sounding bet on the felt loses about 7.7 cents per dollar, every time. The whole proof fits on one hand, and “even money” is the same bet in a tuxedo.](https://blackjackal.ca/never-take-insurance)

[Free tool Interactive basic strategy chart The best play for every hand, for H17 or S17, with or without double after split and surrender. Tap any cell to see what every option is worth.](https://blackjackal.ca/strategy)

More explainers are on the way: splitting 8s against a ten, the “dealer bust card” myth, and what 6:5 blackjack really costs.

## Reading is step one.

BlackJackal drills these exact decisions with the value of every option on screen. Free to train, one lifetime unlock, no subscription.

[https://apps.apple.com/app/blackjackal/id6759573470](https://apps.apple.com/app/blackjackal/id6759573470)

---

BlackJackal is a blackjack strategy trainer for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/app/blackjackal/id6759573470. More pages: https://blackjackal.ca/llms.txt