Blackjack Cheat Sheet & Quick Reference (2025)

This printable cheat sheet gives you everything you need at a glance. Keep it handy while you play or use it to memorize basic strategy before your next casino visit.

Quick Strategy Rules

The 4 Golden Rules

1. Always split Aces and 8s
2. Never split 10s or 5s
3. Double 11 against everything except Ace
4. Stand on 17+, hit on 8 or less

When to Hit

• Hard 8 or less — always
• Hard 12 vs dealer 2, 3, 7-A
• Hard 13-16 vs dealer 7-A
• Soft 17 or less — always

When to Stand

• Hard 17 or more — always
• Hard 13-16 vs dealer 2-6
• Hard 12 vs dealer 4-6
• Soft 19-20 — always
• Soft 18 vs dealer 2-8

When to Double

• Hard 11 vs dealer 2-10
• Hard 10 vs dealer 2-9
• Hard 9 vs dealer 3-6
• Soft 16-18 vs dealer 5-6
• Soft 15-18 vs dealer 4-6

When to Split

• Always: A-A, 8-8
• 2-2, 3-3, 7-7 vs dealer 2-7
• 6-6 vs dealer 2-6
• 9-9 vs dealer 2-9 (except 7)
• 4-4 vs dealer 5-6 only
• Never: 10-10, 5-5

Simplified Strategy Chart

Hard Hands

Your Hand    Dealer Shows 2-6    Dealer Shows 7-A
-------------------------------------------------
8 or less         Hit                  Hit
9                 Double 3-6           Hit
10                Double               Hit vs 10,A
11                Double               Double vs 2-10
12                Stand 4-6            Hit
13-16             Stand                Hit
17+               Stand                Stand

Soft Hands

Your Hand    Dealer Shows 2-6    Dealer Shows 7-A
-------------------------------------------------
A-2, A-3          Hit/Double 5-6      Hit
A-4, A-5          Hit/Double 4-6      Hit
A-6               Double 3-6          Hit
A-7               Double 3-6/Stand    Hit vs 9-A
A-8, A-9          Stand               Stand

Pairs

Your Pair    Dealer Shows 2-6    Dealer Shows 7-A
-------------------------------------------------
A-A               Split               Split
2-2, 3-3          Split               Split vs 7
4-4               Split 5-6           Hit
5-5               Double              Hit vs 10,A
6-6               Split               Hit
7-7               Split               Split vs 7
8-8               Split               Split
9-9               Split (not vs 7)    Stand vs 7,10,A
10-10             Stand               Stand

Hand Signals at the Casino

Handheld Games (1-2 decks):

• Hit: Scrape cards toward you
• Stand: Slide cards under chips
• Double/Split: Place extra bet, point with 2 fingers
• Surrender: Draw a line behind bet

Shoe Games (4-8 decks):

• Hit: Tap table with finger
• Stand: Wave hand side-to-side
• Double/Split: Place extra bet beside original
• Surrender: Draw a line behind bet

Common Situations Quick Reference

Numbers to Remember

• House edge with basic strategy: 0.5%
• Blackjack odds: 1 in 21 hands (4.8%)
• Dealer bust with 6 showing: 42%
• Insurance house edge: 7.7% (avoid it!)
• Your winning percentage: ~42%

What to Avoid

• Never take insurance — It's a sucker bet
• Never play 6:5 blackjack — Costs you 1.4% extra
• Never split 10s — You'll regret it
• Never stand on soft 17 — You can't bust, so improve it
• Never deviate because of "hunches" — Math beats feelings

Quick Card Values

Blackjack Pays

Always ask about the blackjack payout before sitting down!

Surrender Strategy (If Available)

Surrender these hands vs dealer 9, 10, or Ace:

• 16 vs 9, 10, Ace (not 8-8)
• 15 vs 10

Surrender saves money when your chances of winning are below 25%.

Key Terminology

Related Guides

• Full strategy explanation: Blackjack Strategy
• Understand the math: Blackjack Odds
• Game variations: Blackjack Variations
• Complete rules: Blackjack Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Print this page, take it to the casino, and use it! Casinos allow strategy cards at the table. Using this cheat sheet correctly will give you the best possible odds against the house.