1. What is Blackjack EV?

The Expected Value (EV) in blackjack represents the average amount a player can expect to win or lose per bet over time. A positive EV indicates a favorable game for the player, while negative EV favors the house.

2. How the Simulator Works

The simulator uses Monte Carlo methods to estimate EV:

Where:

• \( EV \) — Expected Value in dollars
• \( \text{Average outcome} \) — Mean result across all simulations
• \( \text{Bet} \) — Original wager amount

Explanation: The simulator plays thousands of blackjack hands with the specified rules and calculates the average result.

3. Importance of EV Calculation

Details: Understanding EV helps players evaluate different blackjack strategies, table rules, and betting systems to minimize house edge.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your typical bet amount, select number of simulations (more = more accurate but slower), choose number of decks and house rules.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a good EV in blackjack?
A: With perfect basic strategy, EV is typically -0.5% to -1% of bet. Card counters can achieve positive EV.

Q2: How many simulations are needed?
A: 10,000+ simulations provide stable results. More simulations reduce variance in the estimate.

Q3: Why do number of decks matter?
A: Fewer decks are better for players - single deck typically has 0.17% house edge vs 0.64% for 8 decks.

Q4: What's the impact of dealer hitting soft 17?
A: This rule increases house edge by about 0.2%, worsening player EV.

Q5: Can this simulator teach strategy?
A: While it shows overall EV, dedicated strategy trainers are better for learning optimal plays.