Find optimal blackjack plays based on the specific cards in your hand, not just the total. Discover when composition-dependent strategy differs from basic strategy.
EV = Σ(Probability × Outcome) adjusted for removed cardsYour Hand
16
T-6
Basic Strategy
Hit
Composition Play
Hit
Your first card
Your second card
Dealer's visible card
For this hand, basic strategy and composition-dependent strategy recommend the same play.
| Hand | Dealer | Basic | Composition | EV Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-6 | 10 | Hit | Stand | 0.3% |
| 9-3 | 4 | Stand | Hit | 0.2% |
| 7-5 | 4 | Stand | Hit | 0.1% |
| T-2 | 3 | Hit | Stand | 0.2% |
| T-2 | 2 | Hit | Stand | 0.1% |
| 9-7 | A | Surrender | Hit* | 0.1% |
* Assuming surrender is not available
The T-6 vs 10 Example: When you have T-6 against a dealer 10:
Compare to 9-7 vs 10: No 10s removed, so the standard "hit" remains correct.
Composition-dependent strategy considers the specific cards in your hand, not just the total. For example, 16 made of T-6 plays differently than 16 made of 9-7, because removing a 10 from the deck changes the probabilities of hitting outcomes.
Composition-dependent strategy provides a very small improvement - typically 0.01% to 0.02% reduction in house edge compared to basic strategy. It's mainly of interest to serious players and card counters who want to squeeze out every advantage.
The most famous is T-6 vs dealer 10. Basic strategy says hit any 16 vs 10, but composition-dependent strategy says to stand specifically with T-6. The ten in your hand removes a high card from the deck, making hitting slightly worse.
For most players, basic strategy is sufficient. Composition-dependent strategy is complex to memorize and provides minimal benefit. However, if you're a serious advantage player or card counter, knowing these deviations can add to your edge.
Quick-start with common scenarios
Your Hand
16
T-6
Basic Strategy
Hit
Composition Play
Hit