How to Play Blackjack

Blackjack Rules

Blackjack Basics for Beginners

SEASON 1 / LESSON 1

02:39

Blackjack is a simple card game to learn, but to be good at 21 players should take a closer look at the rules.

Most people assume the objective of blackjack is to get a hand as close to 21 as possible. In reality, the aim is to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. It's a small distinction but an important one, as players can often win on lesser hands by waiting for the dealer to bust. This is just one example of how knowing blackjack rules thoroughly can help new gamblers play smarter.

Our blackjack overview gives players a refresh on the game; if you want to learn how to play blackjack and win more often though, check out our guide below.

1. Choose which blackjack game you want to play and take a seat. Tables usually hold 2-7 players max.

   

2. As betting rules dictate, players must add their wagers to the table before the game starts. For online blackjack click 'bet', or 're-bet' if you want to duplicate your last wager.

   

3. Starting from their left, the dealer gives one upcard to each player and themselves. For online blackjack, just click 'deal'.

   

4. The dealer deals a second upcard to everyone, finishing with one facedown card for themselves.

   

5. When it's your turn, look at your card values and figure out your next move.

6. Once you're happy with your hand, stand to end your turn.

7. After every player has finished their turn, watch the dealer play out their hand.

   

8. Take your winnings and repeat the steps above to play another round.

Blackjack Card Values

Unlike other casino card games, suits have no relevance in blackjack. Instead, each card has a value, and players determine their hand value by adding their card values together. Number cards are worth the figure listed on the card itself. For instance, a hand comprised of cards featuring a 7 and a 9 would have a hand value of 16.

What are Face Cards Worth in Blackjack?

Face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) differ from number cards, as they each hold a value of 10. Looking at the example below, a hand containing a Queen and a 5 gives the player a hand value of 15.

Aces are worth one or 11. In blackjack games, players can change the value of the Ace in their turn depending on what cards the dealer gives them. As the following illustration shows, a hand with an Ace and 8 can have a hand value of 19 or 9, depending on how the gambler plays the hand.

Face cards are the most valuable cards a player can get in blackjack. Aces give players more flexibility in their moves, and when paired with another face card, like a King, can give players blackjack and beat the dealer. An Ace also determines whether a player has a soft or hard hand in blackjack.

Blackjack Card Value Chart

Players can use this chart to help them calculate their hand's value in blackjack.

Blackjack Hands

Along with card values, learning blackjack hands is essential for beginners. Not only will this knowledge help you make smarter moves at the table, but you will also avoid common mistakes new blackjack players make. Discover the best and worst hands in blackjack, as well as tips for assessing the dealer's hand value, below.

Best Hand in Blackjack

Blackjack Hard vs Soft Hands

Hard and soft hands in blackjack are all determined by one card: the Ace. A 'hard hand' in blackjack either has no Aces, or the Ace has a card value of 1 and cannot change. A hand with a flexible Ace is known as a 'soft hand'. Examples of hard hands in 21 are K-8 or 6-A-J; soft hands can be A-4 or A-9.

Few players understand how much influence hard and soft hands have on their chances of winning in blackjack. Players starting with a soft hand can never bust, even if they take an additional card. Some blackjack games, like Vegas blackjack, sees the dealer hit on a soft 17, whereas the dealer must stand on all hands of 17 in variations like European blackjack.

Blackjack Bust Cards

Bust cards create the worst hands in blackjack. In 21, some cards are statistically less likely to create a winning hand than others. Number cards 2, 3, 4, and especially 5 and 6 alternately go by the name 'bust cards' because players usually go over 21 when they hit for a third or fourth card with these in their hands.

When it comes to bust cards, players should use this rule of thumb to make smarter decisions at the table:

OG PRO TIP

If the dealer has any bust cards, the odds of them going over 21 are greater and players should play more conservatively to avoid busting themselves. When the dealer's upcard is 7 or higher, the dealer will likely have a hand value between 18-21 and players may want to take more risks in their gameplay.

Blackjack Push

Occasionally the dealer and a player will both have the same hand value in a blackjack game. When this happens, the player's original bet becomes a 'push' and the dealer returns it to them. The player doesn't lose or win any money on that wager.

Many players wonder why a blackjack push returns their wager when they didn't lose. When you bet in blackjack, you're wagering on having a better hand than the dealer. If neither you nor the dealer has the upper hand, then no one has met the terms of the bet and the wager is off.

Blackjack Betting Rules

Like any other casino game, blackjack tables have bet limits all players must follow. These vary depending on whether the game is for high rollers or low stakes gamblers, but usually range between $2-$1,000 for minimum and maximum bets, respectively.

Players must make their wagers before any cards are dealt in blackjack. After that, the game starts. Once it's the player's turn they have a choice of six moves, some of which come with additional betting rules:

Hit Rules

Stand Rules

Double Down Rules

Split Rules

Surrender Rules

Early surrender is rare and only appears in online blackjack games occasionally. PlayTech has a few RNG-powered games with early surrender, for instance.

Some blackjack variations do not offer surrender as an option. These are generally blackjack games with worse odds for players.

Even Money Rules

When a player has blackjack and the dealer's upcard is an Ace, they may ask the player if they want 'even money'. This means accepting a 1:1 payout on their original bet before the dealer checks for blackjack. Like insurance, this bet isn't generally advisable because players are statistically better off not taking the bet.

Blackjack Side Bets

As you play blackjack, you may notice online casinos offer additional wagers in the game. These side bets come with more risks but do offer players potentially bigger payouts. Side bets may be fun to make, but wagers like insurance can also drain your bankroll if you don't know how to play them. Check out our side bets guide to learn the betting rules for these special wagers.

Blackjack Dealer Rules

Blackjack dealers follow the same basic rules and objective as players in 21. Number and face cards have the same values, and Aces are still worth one or 11 for the dealer. Where dealer rules differ in blackjack though is when it comes to bets.

Given dealers are responsible for handling wagers, blackjack rules ban them from making these bets:

• Take Insurance

• Split hands

• Double down

• Surrender

Blackjack dealer rules also differ when it comes to standing. Generally, the rules state the dealer must hit if their hand value is 16 or less and stand on hands of 17 or more. Depending on casino rules and blackjack variations though, most dealers will hit on a soft 17.

The final difference between dealer and player rules is that dealers take their turn last. This is the case in any blackjack game, as all wagers depend on the outcome of the dealer's hand.

How to Deal in Blackjack

Besides betting rules, dealers must also follow specific steps when it comes to dealing cards. The game typically follows these steps:

1. When a game needs a new shoe, the dealer shuffles the cards using a continuous shuffling machine (CSM), automatic shuffler, or hand shuffling.

2. The dealer will then insert the 'cut card' into the deck, or ask the player to their immediate right to add it. The cut card is a plain, plastic card. When the game reaches the cut card, the dealer reshuffles the deck.

3. After inserting the deck into the shoe, the dealer waits for players to add their bets to the table.

4. The dealer removes the first card in the deck as a 'burn card' and then begins dealing cards.

5. Working from their left at the table, the dealer gives each player an upcard before giving themselves one too.

6. The dealer goes around the table again, giving each player another upcard. They finish by dealing themselves one card face-down.

7. Starting from the dealer's left, players take their turns, and the dealer deals cards as needed.

8. Once all players have finished their turn, the dealer plays their hand.

New players often ask why dealers add cut cards or shuffle the shoe before it's been played through. Casinos take extra steps to prevent card counting in blackjack and one method is through limiting the deck penetration in games. Card counting is an advanced skill though and should only be pursued by players confident in the game's rules and basic blackjack strategy.

Blackjack Table Rules

New players may notice that online gambling sites and casinos have different rules and procedures for their blackjack games. Some of these restrictions work in the player's favor, others can decimate their chances of winning. Players should always check the following table rules before joining a blackjack game:

Blackjack Rule Variations

Basic Moves in Blackjack

SEASON 1 / LESSON 5

02:33

While the objective and basic gameplay of blackjack remain the same, casinos will sometimes employ different rules. These are subtle nuances that mainly influence the betting rules and table rules in 21.

Casinos use these variations to limit risk in their blackjack games. For players, some of these rules are detrimental to how often they win and how much money the casino pays out. To help our players find the best real money blackjack games to play, we've compiled a table of the best and worst rule variations in 21.

Online casinos offer dozens of different blackjack games, but these are usually slight alterations on two main variants of 21: American blackjack and European blackjack. Both follow the same rules and objective, but the hole card rule creates a vital difference between the two.

European blackjack is a no-hole card game, meaning the dealer does not see their second card until all players have completed their turns. Even when the dealer's first card is an Ace, they won't peek at their other card.

This small rule variation has a big effect on players' bankrolls. With no-hole-card blackjack, players can potentially waste money on doubling down and splitting hands when the dealer has already won.

Like the hole card rule, blackjack variation rules can reduce or boost a player's odds of winning. Use this at-a-glance guide to the three most popular blackjack games to find the tables with the best odds:

How to Play Blackjack & Win

You may know the rules and moves to 21, but what if you want to maximize your chances of winning? Our top 10 tips for winning at blackjack will help new and veteran players make smarter moves at the blackjack table. From finding tables with better odds to gaining more bonuses from casinos, our tips can help players win more rewards for their gameplay.

How to Play Blackjack at a Casino

Blackjack rules stay the same whether you play online or in a casino venue, but the gameplay style varies. Blackjack games are faster and there are more distractions in brick-and-mortar casinos, but the biggest contrast is game etiquette. Players must follow specific hand signals and manners when playing blackjack at the casino, else risk losing cash on silly mistakes or revealing themselves as a newbie at the table.

Blackjack casino etiquette is easy to master and helps the dealer manage games faster, so every player should learn these formalities. Start acting like a blackjack expert at the tables with our advice below:

Blackjack Hand Signals

The most important difference between playing 21 at a casino versus mobile blackjack is the use of hand signals. Along with verbalizing their decisions, players should use hand signals to notify the dealer of their intentions in the game.

These hand signals are part of a universal system adopted by all casinos. So, whether you're hitting the Vegas Strip or joining the VIP rooms of Macau, you'll fit right in.

• Hit

  If a player wants another card, they should tap their index finger on the table

• Stand

  To do this, a player just needs to wave their hand or hold an open palm over the table to signal to the dealer.

• Double down

  Players can simply match their wager in chips to indicate to the dealer that they want to double down.

• Split

  To split their hand, players should match their original bet with chips and then give the 'peace sign' to the dealer. The last step is essential as it tells the dealer you want to split, not double down.

• Surrender

  A player should draw a horizontal line across the table with their index finger to signal they want to surrender. Dealers can sometimes mistake this for hitting, so players should especially verbalize their decision with this move, too.

Blackjack Etiquette

Compared to other card games like poker, blackjack is more laid-back. Yet 21 comes with some etiquette that players should learn if they want to pass as a pro at the blackjack table.

1. Don't Hand Bets To The Dealer: Players should simply place their chips on the table. Although dealers are happy to help, they can't place chips down on your behalf.

2. Leave Face Up Cards Alone: Fidgeting with cards isn't well-received at brick-and-mortar venues. There's no need to disturb cards that have been dealt face up.

3. Handle Cards with One Hand: Handling cards with two hands is seen by many casinos as possible tampering. Stick with your dominant hand and never remove cards from the table.

4. Don't Take Too Long: If you're playing in person, or in live blackjack games with other players, make your next move as quickly as you're comfortable doing.

5. Signal AND Say Your Decision: Signals are appreciated by casino security camera operators but also serve to avoid errors due to confusion at the table.

6. Tip Your Dealer: Dealers in reputable land-based venues are paid well but, especially in US venues, tipping is common. Don't worry about tipping in online blackjack games, though.

7. Use the Lingo: Learn the correct blackjack terms to avoid any confusion at the table.

How to Play Blackjack at Home

If you're playing 21 at home or hosting a blackjack party with friends, the rules and objective of this casino game remain the same. Given the casual setting and lack of an official dealer though, some adjustments should be made for home blackjack games:

Number of Players: Keep this to 2-7 players (including the dealer). Any more, and the game gets harder to manage.

Dealing Cards: Traditionally, home blackjack games choose the first dealer by having one player deal cards one by one to each player until someone receives an Ace. That player becomes the first dealer of the game. After that, players go around the table and take turns being the dealer.

Set Betting Limits in Advance: Agree on betting limits before the game starts to avoid confusion.

Rule Variations: In private blackjack games, dealers don't have to follow the casino's prescribed betting and dealer rules of standing on 17 or ties being a push. Whatever you choose, make sure there's no severe advantage given to either side.

Payouts: Along with betting rules, private blackjack games can have different payouts to what casinos use. For instance, it's common in home blackjack games for dealers to win ties, and for natural blackjack to pay 2:1.