Blackjack Cheat Sheet

Understanding Blackjack Basics

The objective of blackjack is straightforward: you’ll be trying to get a hand as close as possible to 21 and closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand.

But beware – you’ll bust and lose immediately if your hand goes over 21. Depending on the two cards in your initial hand, you’ll need to decide if you want to stand and stick with what you have, take another card, double your stake, or split your hand into two. 

Card Values

Blackjack card values are easy to understand because most cards equal their face value. Here’s what each card is worth:

• Number cards (2 – 10): Face value
• Face cards (jack, queen, and king): 10
• Ace: One or 11, depending on the other cards in your hand

How the Dealer Plays

The dealer needs to follow specific rules, some of which are the same in all game variations, while others can vary. The dealer must continue to hit until their hand totals at least 17. Many tables also use the soft 17 rule, which states that the dealer must hit if they have an ace and a six. Understanding the dealer’s play and knowing what to do based on their up card will help you master your strategy. 

The Blackjack Cheat Sheet: Key Decisions

When to Hit or Stand

One of the most critical decisions blackjack cheat sheets can help you make is whether you should hit or stand. There are some general guidelines you can expect to see on any cheat sheet:

1. Always hit on a hand of eight or lower: This hand won’t win, and you can’t go bust, no matter how high your next card is. 
2. Stand on 17 or higher: There’s a good chance you’ll bust if you take another card, so stick with what you have. 
3. Hit on a soft 17 or lower: A soft 17 (ace + six) can improve without the risk of busting, but you might choose to stand if the dealer shows a weak card (two to six).
4. Hit if the dealer shows seven or higher: The dealer is likely to make a strong hand, so it’s a good idea to hit to improve your odds of winning.

When to Double Down

If you’re confident about your chances of winning at blackjack, you might want to increase your bet amount to increase your potential winnings. 

1. Double down on 11 against a dealer’s 2-10: If you already have 11, you’ll have a good chance of landing 21 or another strong hand.
2. Double down on ten against a dealer’s 2-9: A 10 is a strong hand and gives you the chance of getting 21 if you draw an ace. 
3. Double down on nine against a dealer’s 3-6: A nine can improve into a much stronger hand with just one additional card, giving you a good chance of beating the weaker hand. 

When to Split Pairs

In some game versions, you can split your hand into two identical hands, giving yourself twice the chance of winning. Here’s when it’s a good idea:

1. Split aces and eights: Splitting aces increases your chances of getting 21, while splitting eights can turn a weak hand into two potentially stronger ones.
2. Never split tens, fives, or fours: Splitting these hands reduces their value and lessens your chances of winning.  
3. Split twos, threes, sixes, and sevens against weak dealer cards (2-6): When the dealer has a potentially weak hand, splitting your hand can give you double the chance to win.

When to Surrender

Surrendering in blackjack allows you to “give up” and regain half of your stake. It’s a good option in some scenarios like these:

1. Surrender with 16 against a dealer’s nine, ten, or ace: A hand totalling 16 puts you in a weak position, and if the dealer has a strong up card, they’re likely to win.
2. Surrender 15 against a dealer’s 10: This is very similar to the above – in short, your hand is weak, and the dealer’s is likely to be stronger. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using a Cheat Sheet

Relying Solely on the Cheat Sheet

It’s important to remember that while a cheat sheet will help you make good decisions, it’s not a guarantee of winning at blackjack. You should use a cheat sheet as a guide to how you should play, but also keep in mind that the casino always has the edge, so you should gamble responsibly and manage your bankroll efficiently. 

Ignoring Bankroll Management

Some players tend to get too confident when using a cheat sheet and start placing large bets immediately. This is a surefire way to lose money, so you should carefully track your bankroll. You might want to be more conservative with the size of your stake, especially if you’re a new player. 

Overcomplicating the Strategy

Using complex strategies (like Martingale) can be dangerous if you’re relatively new to playing blackjack. If you overcomplicate things, you’re likely to get confused or make poor decisions, so it’s better to keep it simple and use the cheat sheet as your main guide. 

Practice Blackjack for Free Using the Cheat Sheet

If you’re starting with online blackjack, even our cheat sheet might not give you the confidence to play for real money. You might want to use some simulations to explore demo mode or free play options at your preferred online casino. Even if you’re playing for free, virtual money, you can use the cheat sheet to help you make the right decisions. The more you play, the more comfortable you’ll get with the game. 

Where to Find Free Blackjack Games

These top Canadian casinos allow you to play blackjack for free in demo mode:

• Golden Star
• Slot Hunter
• N1 Casino
• PlayZilla