Blackjack Strategy Cheat Sheet

Learning blackjack strategy can seem intimidating, but a cheat sheet makes things simple. Use this quick reference whenever you need a fast answer on how to play a hand of blackjack:

For hard hands (i.e., without an ace)

• If you have 9 or less… take a hit.

• If you have 10 or 11… double down.

• If you have 12-17 and the dealer has a weak upcard (i.e., 2-6)… stand.

• If you have 12-17 and the dealer has a strong upcard (i.e., 7+)… hit.

• If you have 18+… stand.

For soft hands with an ace

• If you have an ace and a 2-6… take a hit (unless the dealer has a weak upcard. In that case, double down.)

• If you have an ace and a 7…

• Double down on weak dealer upcards
  • Stand if the dealer has 7 or 8
  • Hit if the dealer shows 9, 10, or ace

• If you have an ace and an 8 or 9… stand.

Understanding Blackjack Strategy

So, why does the blackjack cheat sheet instruct you to take those actions? Understanding the tactics and probabilities behind the optimization may help you play better blackjack.

Hitting on a 9 is pretty obvious. There’s no risk whatsoever, and a hand of 9 generally will only win if the dealer busts (which he will on about 40% or more of hands where he shows a weak upcard). There’s also a decent chance of getting an ace or ten-value card – it happens over a third of the time.

Doubling down on 10 or 11 is done for much the same reasons, although you get a slight advantage from taking your next card in this way instead of by taking a hit. You’re really getting the privilege of making a second bet on a hand that has an approximately 1 in 3 likelihood of becoming a 20 or a blackjack on the next deal. Soft 17s also make great doubling down hands when the dealer has a weak upcard and is running a greater risk of going bust.

In the set of hands from 12 to 17, there are some serious trouble hands. Players should stand on many of them when the dealer has weak upcards. This is because both the player and dealer are running elevated risks of going bust, but only the dealer is required to hit in this zone. The player can sit back and watch the dealer wreck his hand. Zappit Blackjack was invented specifically to enable players to avoid even having to play 15s and similar hands by allowing them to redraw when faced with these scenarios.

When the dealer has a strong upcard (e.g., 7 or more), however, players should hit. It’s just too hard to avoid losing money in the long run when you’re scared to hit 12, 13, and 14 in these situations where the dealer could already have you beat.

Stand on 18 or more. If you get beat, you get beat. There are too few cards that will help you, at this point, and way too many that will hurt you. The good news is that the dealer stops at 17, so the rules favor your hand, if you’ve got a high total.

Best Hands to Split

Any blackjack strategy guide will tell you to always split Aces and 8s. Why? Well, the aces can quickly become blackjacks with the addition of a face card or ten. As for the 8s, you’re not going to want to have to play a 16. The hand is too dangerous. The odds of losing if you stand are too likely, and the odds of busting are too high if you take a hit. Better to split it and try to get into a better situation with the next card dealt.

On the flip side of those aces and eights, you never split 5s and 10s. The fives quickly become fifteens, and you’re right back into the trouble zone with a hand that isn’t high enough to stand on, while still being too high to take a hit with comfortably. Together, you’re sitting at ten already, which is really good. As for the 10s, they are a great hand when kept together. You’re going to win the majority of your hands with a total like 20. If you split them up, there’s no telling what might happen.

Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s when the dealer shows a weak upcard (2-6). The low cards need to improve, and the dealer is not in great shape. You can go for it. Maybe the 9s can be kept together sometimes since they make 18.

Analyzing Dealer Upcards

Analyzing dealer upcards is a critical aspect of optimal blackjack strategy.

When the dealer displays a weak upcard, such as a 2 through 6, they are at a higher risk of going bust, as we’ve said above. This situation provides the player with a significant advantage, making it an ideal time to double down or split certain hands. Taking the correct action in these situations is really important for long term profit and winning blackjack. Leaks in your game will punish your bankroll, so plug them in early and play your best blackjack.

If the dealer has a strong upcard, like a 7 or higher, the dealer has a better chance of forming a high-value hand. This unfortunately requires that players often take hits in these situations rather than stand on marginal hands. It’s a small tweak to the strategy that makes a meaningful difference.

Don’t just play your hand – keep an eye on the dealer and adjust your actions appropriately.

Counting Cards

Counting cards is a way to maximize profits by increasing bet size when the deck is favorable (i.e., contains more ten-value cards, thus offering higher odds of making blackjacks). This activity is at its strongest when playing single-deck blackjack, which is the reason many casinos use six or more decks in their standard blackjack game. The simple way to count cards is to start at 0 in your head. Subtract 1 for each ten-value card that comes out. Add 1 for cards 2-6. Do nothing for 7-9. When the count is significantly negative, bump up your bet size. Simple, right? As a caveat: card counting isn’t very effective at an online casino because the deck is essentially reshuffled for each hand of blackjack.

Bankroll Management

If you’re going to play casino games regularly, you’ll need to adopt some sound principles of bankroll management.

1. Only gamble with what you can afford to lose. Money earmarked for rent, groceries, and essentials is not for betting, period.

• Choose an amount for a blackjack session that is a small percentage of your total bankroll, like 5%. That way, if things don’t go well, it won’t be that upsetting. The goal is to avoid going “on tilt.” If you lose the session budget, it’s time to stop playing. If you win, nice!

• Play stakes that let you handle swings of winning and losing. If you’re playing $1/hand blackjack, your session budget might be something like $30 or more. This lets you absorb the natural flow of results without it threatening your budget too much. You want to be able to play for a while without having to think about bankroll.

• Be disciplined and stick to these rules, and you’ll be able to learn blackjack well, have fun playing it, and possibly enjoy some profits.

Ignition Casino offers over a dozen varieties of blackjack, including Dragon Blackjack with multipliers, 22 Blackjack with free bets, and more. Head to the tables and have some fun with these strategy tips!