Blackjack Cheat Sheet (Hit / Stand / Double) — Gamble With Your Friends
Use this Gamble With Your Friends blackjack cheat sheet to pick the safest move fast: Hit, Stand, Double, Double if possible otherwise Hit, or Double if possible otherwise Stand. The chart below is built for quick decision-making when you want a simple blackjack strategy chart at the table.
A few notes before using it: the source chart is organized by player total against the dealer upcard. It also includes soft totals separately, which matters because an Ace can count as 1 or 11. If the game’s table rules differ from standard blackjack, or if doubling is restricted in a specific situation, follow the game’s rules first.
How to use this blackjack cheat sheet
Read across the row for your total, then look at the dealer’s upcard at the top of the chart.
- H = Hit
- S = Stand
- D = Double
- D/H = Double if possible, otherwise hit
- D/S = Double if possible, otherwise stand
For the quickest results:
- Identify whether your hand is hard or soft.
- Find your total in the correct chart.
- Match it to the dealer’s visible card.
- Use the action shown, especially when doubling is the preferred play.
Hard totals chart
The hard-total chart is the main blackjack basic strategy reference for hands without a usable Ace. The biggest takeaways are straightforward:
- 8 or less: always hit
- 9 to 11: often double when the dealer shows a weaker card
- 12 to 16: the stand/hit line depends heavily on the dealer’s upcard
- 17 and up: stand
A practical rule of thumb from the chart: 12-16 is the danger zone. Against dealer 2 through 6, standing is often correct; against stronger dealer cards, hitting becomes the better choice.
Soft totals chart
Soft totals are hands that include an Ace counted as 11. These are handled differently because the Ace gives you more flexibility.
A few patterns stand out:
- Soft 13 to soft 16: often hit, with some double chances against 4 through 6
- Soft 17: can be a double or stand situation depending on the dealer’s card
- Soft 18: usually stands, but some dealer upcards still call for a double if possible
If you are choosing between hard vs soft totals strategy, the soft hand usually gives you more room to press an edge. That is why the chart separates them instead of mixing them together.
Quick examples
- Hard 11 vs dealer 6: D/H — double if the game allows it, otherwise hit
- Hard 13 vs dealer 10: H — hit
- Hard 16 vs dealer 5: S — stand
- Soft 15 (A, 4) vs dealer 6: D/H — double if possible, otherwise hit
- Soft 18 (A, 7) vs dealer 9: H — hit
The most important thing is not just knowing when to hit or stand, but also when to double blackjack hands for maximum value. If doubling is allowed, it often changes the best move on strong player totals like 9, 10, 11, and several soft hands.
A few practical cautions
This chart is a strong shortcut, but it does not guarantee a win. Blackjack still has variance, and the exact best move can depend on the game’s rules.
Pay attention to whether Gamble With Your Friends allows:
- doubling only on the first decision
- doubling after a hit
- doubling on soft hands
- any special handling for split hands
If the table rules differ, the chart may need to be applied more loosely. When in doubt, use the chart as a decision aid rather than a promise.