Image 1: A male animation character is sat at a blackjack table memorising a strategy to always hit on 9 or under. On a green background.

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How to Memorise Blackjack Basic Strategy

Blackjack is a brilliant card game and is one of the few casino games where skill can genuinely give you the edge but only if you play your hands right. That’s where a basic strategy comes in and here at Joe Fortune we have our tried-and-tested guide on how to play every possible hand against every dealer up card, designed to reduce the house edge as much as possible.

Now, memorising all those moves might sound like a mission, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach and a bit of Aussie-style grit you can get it down pat and play with confidence. Let’s look at how you can do it.

Different Memory Systems

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to memory. Some of you are visual learners, others are more numbers-focused, and some do best with repetition. Here are a few systems used to memorise patterns and charts like blackjack basic strategy:

Dominic System

The Dominic System is popular with memory legends. It works by converting numbers into letters, which then turn into names or people. For blackjack, this might be a bit much for beginners, but if you’re into mental gymnastics, it’s an interesting path.

For example, each number from 0–9 becomes a letter (0 = O, 1 = A, 2 = B, and so on), then those pairs become initials for people you know or create for e.g. AB = Allan Border. You then create stories or actions around those characters to recall information. It’s clever, but honestly, might be overkill just to remember when to split eights.

Major System

The Major System is another number-to-letter technique, converting digits into consonants and forming words or images to help with recall. It’s great for remembering number sequences, but for blackjack charts, it’s a bit clunky unless you really love memory tricks. That said, some players do use it to remember certain rule combos like hard 16 vs dealer 10 = stand. You could turn that into an image to help recall the move.

The Major System Numbers:

1: Represents the letter S, T, or K (sound).
2: Represents the letter N or D (dough).
3: Represents the letter M or R (mushroom).
4: Represents the letter R (roar).
5: Represents the letter L (love).
6: Represents the letter SH or J (jelly).
7: Represents the letter V or K (knife).
8: Represents the letter F or V (fish).
9: Represents the letter P or B (pig).
0: Represents the letter S or Z (zero).

Rote System

Now we’re talking, this is simple and very effective. The rote system is all about repetition, good old-fashioned practice. Look at the chart, test yourself, repeat. Over time as you’ll recall from when you did your homework and revised for exams, it just sticks. Start with flashcards or an online simulator. Quiz yourself over and over until it becomes second nature. It’s how most pros memorise blackjack strategy, nothing fancy, just consistent effort.

Group the Strategy

Trying to memorise the entire basic strategy chart all at once is like trying to eat a meat pie in one bite. It’s not going to end well! Instead, break it down into smaller chunks, group similar decisions together so they’re easier to remember.

Splitting Rules

The image displays a notepad with Blackjack strategies written on it. Some playing cards, golden dollar coins and a pen also feature. On a green background.

Splitting is one of the most important parts of blackjack strategy and the one that catches most new players or amateurs out. Here’s a few points on how to remember the golden rules…

Always split Aces and 8s, no matter what the dealer has!

Never split 5s or 10s as 5s make a strong 10, and 10s give you 20.

Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s but only if the dealer is showing a weak up card (2–6 for most, 2–7 for some).

Finally, never ever split 4s you are far better off hitting.

Group these into three simple categories i.e. always split, never split, and situational splits it will then become much easier to recall when you’re under pressure to make the call at the table.

Soft Totals

Soft totals are hands with an Ace counted as 11 (like Ace-6 = soft 17). They’re more flexible than hard totals, so the strategy changes a bit.

The image displays three ranges of blackjack hands and whether you should hit, double or stand on each. On a yellow background.

Soft 13–15 (Ace and 2 to Ace and 4): Hit.

Soft 16–18 (Ace and 5 to Ace and 7): Double if dealer shows 4 to 6, otherwise just hit.

Soft 19–21: Stand (except soft 19 vs 6, some charts actually encourage you to double)

Soft totals are easier to learn once you understand that they give you more wiggle room, you can’t bust with one hit, so it’s good that you’ve got options.

Hard Totals

Hard totals are hands without an Ace, or where the Ace must be counted as 1. This is where most of your decisions come in so here’s the details on the strategy:

Hard 8 or less: Always hit

Hard 9: Double if dealer shows 3–6

Hard 10–11: Double unless dealer has a 10 or Ace

Hard 12–16: Stand if dealer shows 2–6, hit otherwise

Hard 17+: Always stand

Surrender

Surrender comes into play with some casinos, usually when you’ve got a shocking hand. If allowed, you should:

Surrender hard 16 vs dealer 9, 10 or Ace

Surrender hard 15 vs dealer 10

This part of the chart takes a bit more time to learn, but it’s where most mistakes happen so it really is worth getting right.

What is the Rhyme for Blackjack Strategy?

Nicknames, rhymes and sayings are a top Aussie way to remember things, especially when it comes to games. Here’s a handy one our research team found that some players use to recall the basics of blackjack strategy:

Split Aces and Eights, never Tens or Fives, Double on Eleven, keep your chances alive.

Dealer shows Six. You’d best stand tall, but if they’ve got ten, you might just fall.

Soft hands hit low, stand up on high, stick to the chart, and your stack won’t die.

It is hardly Midnight Oil or Shakespeare, but it can help. Feel free to make your own version too, just make sure it is something short and snappy that sticks in your head while you’re at the table.

Final Tips for Memorising Basic Strategy

Use flashcards: Simply write the player’s hand on one side and the correct move on the other. Go through them daily.

Print a basic strategy chart: Stick it somewhere you’ll see often, like near your desk or perhaps in the dunny…

Find an app or trainer: There are plenty of online tools and apps which will quiz you until you’ve got it nailed.

Practice makes perfect… Why not try out some free blackjack games: Play without money to get comfortable using the chart in real-time. This looks to be the best option as far as we think.

Focus on common hands first: You don’t need to memorise every combo on day one. Start with the most frequent hands and dealer up cards.

Wrapping Up

Memorising blackjack basic strategy might sound like a big job, but if you break it down, group it smartly, and practise consistently, you’ll have it locked in quicker than you’d think. Whether you use flashcards, rhymes, or just good old repetition, the key is sticking with it.

Knowing the basic strategy will not guarantee you a win every time, but it’ll give you the best possible shot. It reduces the house edge, helps you make smarter choices, and keeps your bankroll alive longer, which is only a good thing! So next time you’re sitting down at the table with your mates or playing at Australia’s best online casino, you won’t be guessing any more, you’ll be playing like a pro.

Good luck and don’t forget when in doubt, bust out your rhyme and play the hand correctly every time!