Online blackjack is a popular casino game that can be played with one or more decks of 52 cards.
The objective of the game is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without exceeding it. The skill in the game comes from determining when to hit or stand, depending on the cards you have already been dealt. This is where our blackjack cheat sheet comes into play.
Our blackjack strategy chart is a valuable tool for players, providing a visual representation of the optimal plays for each situation, and it can be applied to all standard blackjack variants of one or more decks.
It also works for most blackjack variants with the exception of games with specific rules that fall outside of the basics, like 21 + 3 Blackjack, for example.
While this is not a strategy for beating blackjack, our blackjack cheat sheet should help make the game a little easier for you, especially if you are a beginner, and it will certainly help to boost your confidence while you become more familiar with blackjack hands and the general play of the game.
The blackjack cheat sheet tells you when it's best to:
The chart can help players make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes, such as hitting or standing at the wrong time.
By using a strategy chart, players can develop their skills and improve their chances of coming out ahead, by suggesting the best course of action to reduce player losses.
Our chart is based on the standard blackjack game so it may not apply for certain variants. However, you should be able to still apply this for the basic rules on most variants of the game.
To play blackjack, players need to understand the basic rules and strategies, including the relevance of the dealer’s face-up card and its impact on the game.
Blackjack rules vary depending on the casino and the specific game, but the basic objective remains the same: to beat the dealer’s hand either by getting blackjack or by reaching closer to 21 than the dealer's hand.
Players can choose from various online blackjack games, including single-deck games and six-deck games, each with its own set of rules and house edge.
Players need to understand the dealer’s rules, including when the dealer stands or hits, and how it affects the game.
The dealer’s face-down card, also known as the hole card, can significantly impact the player’s winning strategy.
In most casinos, the dealer stands on a soft 17, but this rule can vary, affecting the house edge and players’ chances of winning. Our blackjack cheat sheet aims to help you by showing you the most likely card combinations where your chances are better if you hit, stand, double down, or split.
Blackjack occurs when the initial two cards are an ace and a ten-valued card, resulting in an immediate win.
Of course, there are still risks involved, as there is no foolproof blackjack strategy that can guarantee success in each scenario.
Instead, our blackjack cheat sheet can help you to make informed decisions when you play blackjack to help lessen your losses and maybe see you get a few extra wins in the process.
It is also important to remember that every blackjack variation has a specific casino RTP, which can influence both short-term outcomes and long-term expectations.
Players should familiarise themselves with the specific rules of the game they are playing, including the number of decks used and the payout for blackjack.
Our blackjack cheat sheet is only useful to players once they have mastered the basic strategy of the card game. This means you must understand the main mechanics of the game, such as standing or hitting, along with the rules that dictate how the dealer deals out their own hand.
Before getting started at the blackjack table, you should understand the significance of the dealer's face down card, otherwise known as the hole card, as well as how the dealer's face up card can affect the play of the game.
We recommend that you read our guide on how to play blackjack before you start using this blackjack strategy chart as part of your game strategy.
By using a strategy chart, players can help reduce their chances of going bust by knowing which combination of cards is better to stand on and when it's safe to hit.
For instance, if your hand value adds up to 10 or 11, it is not possible to exceed 21 on your next card, which is why experienced players and blackjack cheat sheets will always tell you to hit.
Likewise, players should always split aces whenever they have two of them in their hand.
Players should practice using this blackjack cheat sheet to develop their skills and increase their confidence.
We aimed to make this cheat sheet as clear and straightforward as possible. For that reason, we decided not to include surrendering as an option in the blackjack cheat sheet because it is not universally offered by all variants of the game.
The general rule of thumb for choosing to surrender, in variants of the game that allow it, is when you have a hard 15, or a hard 16. Depending on the game, players will have the option of early or late surrender.
Early surrender is the more advantageous option as it allows you to forfeit your hand and receive half of your bet back. This has to be done before the dealer checks their face down card for Blackjack.
Late surrender is only offered after the dealer has checked for Blackjack and the dealer's cards don't make a natural (blackjack).
Understanding the odds in blackjack is just as important as knowing when to hit, stand, split, or double down. While our blackjack cheat sheet gives you the recommended move in each scenario, knowing the math behind those moves can help you become a more confident player.
For example, the probability of busting when you hit varies depending on your current hand value:
Knowing these percentages helps explain why the blackjack cheat sheet tells you to stand in certain situations — the risk of going bust outweighs the potential benefit of drawing another card.
The number of decks in play directly affects your odds in blackjack. In single-deck games, the chance of drawing a blackjack is about 4.8%, compared to just 4.6% in an eight-deck game. That may seem small, but it changes the house edge significantly. Many experienced players seek out single-deck or double-deck games for this reason, as they offer slightly better odds and a lower house edge compared to multi-deck variants.
Understanding how deck size influences probabilities can help you choose the most favorable games, especially in online casinos where multiple blackjack variants are available.
The house edge is the built-in advantage that the casino has over the player, and it can vary depending on the game and the rules.
By using a basic strategy chart and understanding the rules, players can reduce the house edge and improve their chances of winning.
The number of decks used can also impact the house edge, with single-deck games generally having a lower house edge than multi-deck blackjack games.
Players should be aware of the house edge, especially how it affects their chances of winning, and adjust their strategy accordingly.
Managing the house edge is crucial for players who want to beat the dealer and win consistently.
Beating the dealer requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck, but players can improve their chances by using a basic strategy chart.
Understanding the dealer’s rules and the game’s mechanics is essential for making informed decisions and avoiding common mistakes.
Players should also be aware of the dealer’s face up card and how it affects the game, and adjust their strategy accordingly. Players should also know the rules around the dealer when it comes to a hand value of 16 or 17.
By using a strategy chart and practicing regularly, players can develop their skills and improve their chances of beating the dealer.
Beating the dealer is the ultimate goal of the game, and players should strive to achieve it by using the best possible strategy.
Side bets, such as insurance bets, can provide players with additional opportunities to win, but they also come with a higher house edge.
Insurance bets allow players to bet on the dealer having a blackjack, providing a potential payout if the dealer does have a blackjack.
Players should be aware of the rules and odds of side bets and use them wisely to maximize their chances of winning.
Side bets can be tempting, but players should prioritise their main bet and use side bets sparingly.
Insurance bets can be particularly risky, and players should carefully consider the odds before placing an insurance bet.
Improving your skills requires practice, patience, and dedication, but it can significantly improve your chances of winning.
Players should start by mastering basic strategy and then move on to more advanced strategies.
Practising regularly and staying focused can help players develop their skills and improve their chances of winning.
Play blackjack for small stakes at first, and stick to smaller bets while you work to improve your blackjack skills.
It's not necessary to learn skills like card counting in order to succeed at blackjack. A good understanding of the basics, sound judgment, and playing cautiously can all significantly affect your chances of success.
Common mistakes, such as hitting or standing at the wrong time, can radically reduce a player’s chances of winning. The main purpose of our blackjack cheat sheet is to help keep you from making these common mistakes, which can even get the better of experienced players.
Players should be aware of the most common mistakes and take steps to avoid them. Common mistakes include not hitting on a 'soft 18', which is where you have an ace and a 7. Players often stand on a soft 18 thinking they have a decent hand, but this miss the chance to get a slightly better hand without going bust, especially in cases where the dealer's face up card is a 9 or 10 and the likelihood of the hole card leading to a hand value over 18 is high.
Likewise, inexperienced players will split a pair of 10s rather than standing on them often splitting the value of a good hand for no reason. As you will see from our blackjack cheat sheet; always stand when you have a pair of 10s.
Using a basic strategy chart and practising regularly can help players avoid common mistakes and improve their chances of winning.
Blackjack variations, such as single deck games and six deck games, can provide players with different challenges and opportunities.
Players should be aware of the rules and mechanics of each variation and adjust their strategy accordingly.
Some variations, such as 21 + 3 blackjack, may have different rules and customs, and players should be aware of these differences. For instance, Spanish 21 removes the 10 cards from the deck, making the card game incompatible with this blackjack cheat sheet.
Blackjack variations can be exciting and challenging, and players should be open to trying other games and strategies.
Irish players have plenty of opportunities to put our blackjack cheat sheet to good use. Most Irish casino sites offer a mix of RNG blackjack casino games and live dealer blackjack.
There are plenty of single and multi-deck blackjack games available online from legitimate operator sites, and our blackjack cheat sheet will be able to guide you for every possible combination of hand values for all but the most unconventional versions of the game.
RNG blackjack commonly covers the blackjack variants with the most varied rules - usually, you can find games of perfect pairs, 21+3, Spanish 21 and other games that allow players to separate hands and add additional cards.
While you can still utilise this blackjack cheat sheet after splitting pairs, if you are playing any blackjack card game that employs more complicated side bets and alternate rules, then this cheat sheet will be able to help you with the basic strategy, but it is designed for standard blackjack casino play.
Many players today also enjoy the flexibility of playing blackjack on the go. The best mobile casinos make it easy to access live dealer tables and RNG blackjack directly from your smartphone, ensuring that our cheat sheet can be applied seamlessly whether you play at home or while out and about.
Blackjack live casinos tend to offer the widest selection of blackjack options at online casino sites. The majority of these live dealer blackjack tables will offer standard rules which means you will have no trouble using our blackjack cheat sheet with them. At the same time you can expect to find plenty of tables that offer variant rules and alternate bets.
While both virtual and live dealer blackjack follow the same rules, the experience between them can feel very different.
Virtual blackjack, also known as RNG blackjack, is powered by a random number generator that determines the outcome of each hand instantly. There’s no human interaction — just fast, automated gameplay that’s ideal for players who prefer a quick and focused experience.
Live dealer blackjack, on the other hand, is streamed in real time from a casino studio with a professional human dealer managing the table. This format offers a more authentic, social atmosphere that closely mirrors the feel of playing in a land-based casino. You can chat with the dealer and other players, see cards dealt on screen, and watch every move unfold transparently.
Both options have their advantages. RNG blackjack allows you to play at your own pace and practice strategies using the blackjack cheat sheet without pressure, while live dealer blackjack provides the excitement of real casino play. Irish players can enjoy both at trusted online casinos like bet365, BoyleSports, and Novibet, where fairness and player protection are guaranteed.
Staying safe online requires players to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves.
Players should only play at reputable and licensed online casinos, safe, trustworthy Irish sites that we recommend include bet365 Games, Bolyesports and Novibet.
Using secure and reputable payment methods can help players stay safe online and enjoy a positive gaming experience.
If you start to feel like your online gambling is getting out of hand there are several resources you can make use of, including reaching out to gamblingcare.ie either via their website or by phoning 1800 936 725.
Mastering the art of blackjack requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck, but players can improve their chances of winning by using a basic strategy chart and practising regularly.
Players should be aware of the rules and mechanics of the game, including the dealer’s face-up card and the house edge.
By using advanced strategies and avoiding common mistakes, players can improve their chances of winning and enjoy a positive gaming experience.
Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy, and players should continually strive to improve their game and stay safe online.
With practice, patience, and dedication, players can become proficient in the game of blackjack and enjoy a rewarding and exciting gaming experience.
Mark has written extensively for the iGaming industry, covering topics including casino reviews, how-to-play guides, and articles on gambling regulation and responsible gambling practices. He is passionate about the Irish casino market, constantly searching for the best online casinos and games to offer our readers. Check out his articles like our best online casinos page for his expert know-how on Irish online casinos.
Yes. RNG blackjack uses a certified random number generator to ensure all outcomes are completely random and independent. Reputable online casinos in Ireland are licensed and regularly audited by independent testing agencies to verify fairness.
Absolutely. The cheat sheet applies to both live and virtual blackjack since the underlying game mechanics are the same. You can keep the chart open while playing to help you make optimal decisions during each round.
It depends on the game’s rules. Single-deck or double-deck virtual blackjack tends to offer slightly better odds due to a lower house edge, while live dealer blackjack provides a more immersive experience. Always check the table rules — especially whether the dealer stands on soft 17 — to understand your odds before you play.
