Instructions

SmartlyPlay Strategy Explained

SmartlyPlay (SP) is your personal blackjack assistant.
It tells you exactly what to do, when to bet and how much to wager. All of that based on real-time data from the cards on the table.
SP uses three key systems:
Basic Strategy – teaches you the best move for every situation.
Card Counting – tracks which cards have already appeared.
Indicators – show you when the odds are in your favor.

Let’s go step by step.

1. Basic Strategy

Now that you know how blackjack works, the next question is:
“With so many choices, how do I know which move is the right one?”
That’s exactly what the Basic Strategy does, it gives you a clear answer every single time.

In the Strategy tab on the SmartlyPlay website, you’ll see three colorful charts. Each chart shows what to do in every possible game situation.

How to Read the Charts:

– The top row shows the dealer’s card (from 2 to Ace).
– The left column shows your hand value or card combination.
– The letters inside each cell tell you the best move:
H – Hit (take another card)
S – Stand (end your turn)
D – Double Down (double your bet, take one more card)
P – Split (only if you have two cards of the same value)
R – Surrender (only if your casino allows this option)

There are three charts because hands can come in different forms:
– Hard hands – regular totals (e.g., 12, 15, 18)
– Pairs – two cards with the same value (e.g., 8–8, 10–10)
– Soft hands – hands containing an Ace (e.g., A–6 or A–2)

Here are few examples to help understand it better:

Example 1: You have 2 and 5, and the dealer’s card is an Ace.
– Your total is 7. In the chart, find the row for “7” and the column for Dealer’s Ace “A”.
– You should find an H, which means Hit. So, if you draw for example Jack, your total becomes 17 and the chart now tells you to Stand (S).

Example 2: You have 8–8, and the dealer shows a 2.
– Because your cards are a pair, you look at the Pairs chart.
– The chart shows P, meaning Split. You now play two separate hands with one 8 each.

Example 3: You have Ace–2, and the dealer has a 4.
– You check the Soft Hands chart, which recommends Hit (H).
– If you draw a 4, your hand becomes A–2–4 (which counts as A–6).
– Now, against the dealer’s 4, the chart tells you to Double (D) — so you double your bet and take one more card.

Example 4: Same as before: A–2 vs. Dealer 4, but this time you draw a King.
– Your total is now 13 (since the Ace counts as 1, not 11).
– You switch back to the Hard Hands chart and follow its advice for 13.

Side note:

You won’t see totals like 2, 3, 4, 20, or 21 on the first chart, because they’re already covered in the Pairs and Soft Hands charts.
And remember: 21 is always the best hand, so you never need to make a decision there! 

2. Counting Cards

Following the Basic Strategy alone gives you solid results, but if you really want to beat the casino, you need card counting.
Don’t worry, SmartlyPlay makes this simple!

Right next to the strategy charts, you’ll see 10 buttons for each type of card (2 through Ace) and one Reset button. Here is what to do:
– Wait until the dealer reshuffles the shoe (the card container). This means all the decks are mixed, and the count starts fresh.
– Once the game begins, enter every card dealt on the table – not just your own!
(It doesn’t matter who receives the card: you, the dealer or another player).
– If you make a mistake or see the dealer reshuffle again, press Reset to start over.

For example:
– If you have 8–8 and the dealer shows an Ace – press 8 twice and Ace once.
– If you see the following on the table: (You: 9–7, another player: 5–5, another: 3–K, and dealer: J–Q)
Press 9, 7, 3 once each; 5 twice; and 10 three times (for the 10-value cards J, Q, K).

Keep going like this for every card that appears until the next reshuffle.
It might feel tricky at first, but after a few rounds, you will get a hand of it.

3. Indicators

So why does all this counting matter? Because SmartlyPlay uses it to calculate the exact probabilities at every moment.
This means that if you miss any of the cards all of the probabilities will become less trustworthy and might start indicating wrong decisions, so in those cases it is better to start over. 

Also once you enter a card, SP instantly updates all your indicators, these numbers next to the buttons help you decide when to bet or wait.
Here’s what each one means:
– EV (Expected Value): Shows who currently has the advantage.
– If EV is negative (–) the casino has the edge.
– If EV is positive (+) you have the edge, so it’s a good time to start betting.

– BJ (Blackjack Chance): Shows how likely it is that the dealer will get Blackjack.
– When it’s positive, you should consider taking insurance.
– Otherwise, skip it.

– RC (Running Count):Tracks whether more high (ace and 10- point cards) or low (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) cards have been played.

– TC (True Count): Adjusts the Running Count based on how many decks are left in the shoe.
– The higher TC the stronger advantage for you.
– When TC ≤ 0, bet the minimum or wait.
– When TC rises, increase your bet gradually for each level.

Below the indicators, you’ll also see a live display showing how many cards have already been played. Very handy for keeping your count accurate.

All of the rest numbers you can see under those indicators allow you to just follow how many cards have already been played during the game to make your counting easier.

4. Change the rules

Every casino can have slightly different blackjack rules — and those small details can change the way you should play.
That’s why SmartlyPlay lets you customize the game rules to match exactly what your casino uses. 

Here’s how to do it:
– Open your blackjack table. Enter the room or table where you want to play.
– Find the game rules. On most casino sites, you’ll see a small menu icon or “Help” button somewhere near the game screen.
Click it, and you’ll usually see a list with explanation for all the rules.
For example you can find if the dealer hit or stand on soft 17, if you can double after splitting or how many decks are used?
– Match these settings in SmartlyPlay.
On the right side of the SmartlyPlay page, you’ll find the “Change the Rules” section. Simply set the same options there to match your game.

This step is very important, because SmartlyPlay uses these rules to calculate your optimal strategy.
If your rules in SP don’t match the casino’s rules, your advice and indicators may not be 100% accurate.

So always double-check the rules before you start playing, it only takes a minute!

5. Final Action Plan

Now that you know how everything works, let’s put it all together.

Here’s what a typical game should look like from start to finish:
-Check and set your rules.
Before playing in a new casino or a new game, open the “Change the Rules” section and match them to your table.
– Wait for the reshuffle.
When the dealer reshuffles the shoe (all decks mixed again), that’s your signal to begin fresh.
– Start counting.
From the very first hand, enter every card dealt on the table using the buttons in SmartlyPlay.
(Your cards, the dealer’s cards, and other players’ cards too!)
– Be patient at the start.
Keep your bets at the minimum or wait until your EV (Expected Value) turns positive.
– Increase your bets smartly.
When EV is positive, use your TC (True Count) to decide how much to bet.

For example:
TC = 1 → bet 5 €
TC = 2 → bet 10 €
TC = 3 → bet 15 €
You can adjust these amounts depending on your bankroll.

– Follow the Basic Strategy chart.
Every time you play a hand, use the chart in SmartlyPlay to make the best possible move: Hit, Stand, Double or Split.
– Keep counting, always.
Even when you’re betting, never stop tracking the cards.
The count updates after every card, and your indicators depend on it.
– Know when to pause.
If EV drops below zero, stop betting and wait for your advantage to return.
– Start fresh after every reshuffle.
When the dealer reshuffles, press “Reset” in SmartlyPlay and begin the process again.

And that’s it!
This is the simple routine that turns casual blackjack into strategic blackjack where you make every move with purpose and precision.
Follow these steps, stay consistent, and over time you’ll see how SmartlyPlay helps you make smarter, more confident decisions and win more often in the long run.