Blackjack Basic Strategy: The Complete Cheat Sheet

Introduction

Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is a casino card game where players aim to beat the dealer by getting a hand value closer to 21 without exceeding it. Basic strategy is a mathematically proven approach that tells you the optimal play for every possible hand combination. This cheat sheet presents the complete basic strategy for blackjack, optimized for the most common casino rules. Following this strategy will minimize the house edge to approximately 0.5%, giving you the best possible chance to win over time.

Core Blackjack Rules

Card Values

• Number cards (2-10): Face value
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points
• Ace: 1 or 11 points (whichever benefits the hand)

Key Terms

• Blackjack: An Ace and a 10-value card as your first two cards (pays 3:2)
• Hard Hand: A hand without an Ace, or with an Ace counted as 1
• Soft Hand: A hand with an Ace counted as 11
• Bust: When hand value exceeds 21 (automatic loss)
• Push: Tie between player and dealer (bet is returned)
• Double Down: Double your bet and receive exactly one more card
• Split: Separate a pair into two hands with an equal bet on each
• Surrender: Forfeit half your bet and end the hand (not offered at all casinos)

Basic Strategy Charts

Hard Hands (No Ace or Ace Counted as 1)

Soft Hands (Ace Counted as 11)

Pairs

Key: H = Hit, S = Stand, D = Double Down, P = Split

Surrender Strategy (If Available)

Key: SU = Surrender, NH = No Surrender (use Hard Hand strategy above) *SU for 17 vs. A only applies in multi-deck games

Variations for Different Rules

Dealer Hits Soft 17 (H17) Adjustments

• A,7 vs dealer 2: Double instead of Stand
• Surrender 15 vs dealer 10 (instead of just A)
• Surrender 17 vs dealer A

Single Deck Adjustments

• Double A,7 vs dealer 2
• Double A,8 vs dealer 6
• Don’t split 6,6 vs dealer 2
• Don’t split 7,7 vs dealer 8
• Don’t surrender 15 vs dealer A

No Doubling After Split Adjustments

• Don’t split 6,6 vs dealer 2
• Don’t split 4,4 vs dealer 5 or 6

No Surrender Adjustments

• For hands where surrender is recommended, revert to hard hand strategy

Strategy Implementation Tips

Decision Sequence

1. Check for blackjack (Ace + 10-value card)
2. Consider surrender (if available)
3. Check for pairs to split
4. Check for soft hands (Ace counted as 11)
5. Play as hard hand if none of the above apply

Key Strategy Principles

• Always split 8,8 and A,A
• Never split 10,10
• Always hit hard 8 or less
• Always stand on hard 17 or higher
• Always stand on soft 19 or higher
• Always hit soft 17 or less (except specific doubling situations)
• Double on 11 against all dealer cards except A (then hit)
• Double on 10 against dealer 2-9 (hit against 10 or A)

Common Situations Explained

Why Split 8s Against a Dealer’s 10?

• Starting with 16 gives you a high probability of busting
• Splitting creates two hands with 8, which have better prospects
• This is a defensive play to lose less in the long run

Why Always Split Aces?

• Each ace becomes the start of a potentially strong hand
• Increases chances of getting blackjack or strong hand on each split hand
• Starting with a 12 (Ace+Ace) is much weaker than two separate hands each starting with an Ace

Why Never Split 10s?

• A hand of 20 is already very strong
• Splitting would require exceptional improvement to both hands to exceed the value of the original 20

Why Double on 11?

• You cannot bust with one additional card
• High probability of drawing a 10-value card (making 21)
• Maximizes return on a strong starting position

Advanced Strategy Considerations

Composition-Dependent Strategy

• Hard 16 composed of 3+ cards: Hit against dealer 10 (rather than stand with 2-card 16)
• Hard 12 composed of 10+2: Stand against dealer 4 (rather than hit with 8+4)

True Count Adjustments (For Card Counters)

• Insurance: Take when true count is +3 or higher
• 16 vs. 10: Stand when true count is 0 or higher
• 15 vs. 10: Stand when true count is +4 or higher
• 10,10 vs. 5: Split when true count is +5 or higher
• 10,10 vs. 6: Split when true count is +4 or higher

Common Mistakes and Corrections

Mistake: Standing on 12-16 against high dealer cards

• Correction: Always hit 12-16 when dealer shows 7 or higher
• Reason: Dealer has higher probability of strong final hand; risk of busting is worth taking

Mistake: Not doubling on soft hands appropriately

• Correction: Double soft 13-18 against dealer’s 5-6
• Reason: Cannot bust with one additional card; dealer likely to bust

Mistake: Hitting on hard 17 or higher

• Correction: Always stand on hard 17 or higher
• Reason: Risk of busting outweighs potential improvement

Mistake: Not splitting pairs correctly

• Correction: Always split Aces and 8s; never split 10s
• Reason: Mathematical expectation is clearly established for these plays

Table Etiquette and Tips

Hand Signals

• Hit: Tap the table with finger
• Stand: Wave hand horizontally over cards
• Double Down: Place additional chips beside original bet and point with one finger
• Split: Place additional chips beside original bet and make a “peace sign”
• Surrender: Draw horizontal line behind betting circle and verbally declare “surrender”

Additional Tips

• Keep cards visible to the dealer and surveillance at all times
• Don’t touch chips once bets are placed
• Don’t touch cards in a face-down game
• Hold cards in one hand only in a hand-held game
• Always verify your blackjack payout (should be 3:2 at most tables)
• Be aware that dealer will peek for blackjack when showing a 10 or Ace
• Don’t ask the dealer for advice on how to play your hand

Rule Variations and Impact on Strategy

Rule Variations that Help Players

• Dealer stands on soft 17 (reduces house edge by ~0.2%)
• Late surrender allowed (reduces house edge by ~0.08%)
• Double after split allowed (reduces house edge by ~0.14%)
• Re-splitting Aces allowed (reduces house edge by ~0.08%)
• Five or more cards under 21 pays automatically (reduces house edge significantly)

Rule Variations that Help the House

• Blackjack pays 6:5 instead of 3:2 (increases house edge by ~1.4%)
• Dealer hits on soft 17 (increases house edge by ~0.2%)
• No doubling on soft hands (increases house edge by ~0.14%)
• Doubling limited to 9-11 only (increases house edge by ~0.21%)
• No re-splitting allowed (increases house edge by ~0.1%)

Memory Aids for Basic Strategy

Hard Hands Memory Aid

• 8 or less: Always hit
• 9: Double against 3-6, otherwise hit
• 10-11: Double against dealer 2-9, hit against higher
• 12-16: Stand against dealer 2-6, hit against 7-A
• 17+: Always stand

Soft Hands Memory Aid

• A,2 through A,6: Double against dealer 5-6, otherwise hit
• A,7: Double against dealer 3-6, stand against 2,7,8, hit against 9,10,A
• A,8+: Always stand

Pairs Memory Aid

• Always split: A,A and 8,8
• Never split: 10,10
• Split 2,2 and 3,3 against dealer 2-7
• Split 4,4 only against dealer 5-6
• Split 6,6 against dealer 2-6
• Split 7,7 against dealer 2-7
• Split 9,9 against all except dealer 7,10,A

Resources for Further Learning

Books

• “Beat the Dealer” by Edward O. Thorp
• “Blackjack Attack” by Don Schlesinger
• “Professional Blackjack” by Stanford Wong
• “Blackbelt in Blackjack” by Arnold Snyder

Online Tools

• Blackjack strategy calculators
• Practice apps for smartphones
• Online blackjack simulators
• Casino rule variation calculators

Practice Methods

• Drill with flashcards
• Play free online blackjack games
• Practice verbal recitation of the basic strategy
• Use strategy trainers that provide instant feedback on decisions

This cheat sheet provides the complete basic strategy for blackjack under standard casino rules. Remember that basic strategy is mathematically optimal over the long run but doesn’t guarantee wins in any individual session. For optimal results, combine disciplined basic strategy play with proper bankroll management.