Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in casinos worldwide, combining elements of chance and skill in a simple yet engaging format.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the game, from the basic rules and card values to essential gameplay actions such as hitting, standing, and doubling down. Whether you're playing in a land-based casino or online, understanding the fundamentals of Blackjack will help you feel confident at the table and enhance your overall experience.
How to Play Blackjack – The Basics
Before we go any further, it’s important to cover some basic concepts, such as the objective of Blackjack and why it is a game that casino players should choose to play.
Blackjack is a card game that combines skill and luck, intending to beat the dealer’s hand. Many people mistakenly believe that the objective of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible (without going over), but while there is some truth to this, the real objective is simply to beat the dealer. The maximum possible winning hand is 21, and any hand that exceeds 21 is a bust.
Blackjack offers players favourable odds compared to many other casino games. Unlike games with independent trial processes like Roulette, Blackjack is beatable with the use of good strategy. Knowing which hands to play and how much to bet on each hand can reduce the house edge to almost zero, giving players a strategic advantage.
Blackjack Rules
Now that you know the objective of the game, we can move on to the rules. They're not as simple as Baccarat rules, but you'll get there pretty quickly with some practice.
There are three ways to win in Blackjack:
- The total value of your hand exceeds the dealer’s total;
- You don’t exceed 21 while the dealer’s hand busts;
- You have a Blackjack.
A Blackjack is a two-card hand consisting of a card valued at 10 and an Ace.
If the player’s and the dealer’s hand have the same value (push), the player retains their wager.
So if winning in Blackjack always depends on the dealer’s hand, how are their decisions defined? The blackjack rules are clear:
1. The dealer must always hit when they have 16 or less;
2. The dealer must always stand with 17 or more.
NOTE: There are differences between soft and hard hands that can also influence the dealer’s decision in some casinos. But we’ll get to that in a bit.
Card Values in Blackjack
Cards 2 through 10 count as their face value, face cards count as 10, and Aces can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on which is most beneficial to the hand. They are always counted as 11s unless doing so would make your hand total exceed 21. At that point, the Ace reverts to being worth 1.
NOTE: Card suits make no difference in Blackjack.
Table Setup and How to Bet in Blackjack
In a semi-circular table format, the dealer deals from left to right, with up to seven players placing bets in their designated spots. Players bet with casino chips of various denominations, and each table displays its minimum and maximum betting limits.
At the start of each round, each player is dealt two cards face-up, and the dealer is dealt one card face-up and one card face-down. The players decide how to play their cards. The dealer collects bets from losing players and pays out winnings according to the odds.
So let’s say you’re alone at a table against the dealer.
After you have placed your bet, the cards are dealt:
You: 9-3
Dealer: 8-X
Your total is 12, and you’re up against the dealer’s 8. 12 is not enough to win in most cases, so you hit and get an 8. Your total is now 20, so you stand. The dealer reveals his hidden card, a 10, for a total of 18. You win and get paid the same amount you wagered.
Payouts in Blackjack
In the previous example, the player won the same amount they wagered, but that's not always the case:
- If a player’s hand exceeds 21, they automatically lose their bet;
- If the player’s unbusted hand beats the dealer’s, the player wins at 1-to-1 odds;
- An untied Blackjack pays 3 to 2.
Playing Blackjack: Techniques and Stages
Step 1: Soft and Hard Hands
- A hard hand doesn’t include an Ace or has an Ace valued at 1.
- A soft hand consists of an Ace valued at 11, and if additional cards are drawn, it may become a hard hand. For example, a 3-A hand is a soft 14 (3 + 11), but adding an 8 makes it a hard 12 (3 + 1 + 8).
In some casinos, the dealer has to stand on a soft 17; in others, they must hit.
Knowing these distinctions is important because strategies for similar totals differ depending on the type of hand. For example, a hard 14 (10-4) is played differently than a soft 14 (A-3).
Step 2: Standing and Hitting
If you are happy with your hand total, signal “stand”. Otherwise, point to the cards to “hit” and receive another card.
Step 3: Doubling Down
This option allows players to double their initial bet for an additional card. If allowed by the house rules, double down by placing a bet equal to your initial bet after the first two cards are dealt.
Step 4: Splitting Pairs
Players may split any pair, although splitting 10s (10/J/Q/K) is generally discouraged. After splitting, each hand requires a new decision on whether to hit or stand. Aces are usually dealt one additional card each when they are split.
Surrender and Insurance Rules
- Surrender: If available, players may forfeit half their wager after seeing the dealer’s upcard, provided the dealer does not have Blackjack after checking.
- Insurance: If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, players may make a side bet equal to half of their initial bet. If the dealer’s down card has a value of 10, the insurance bet pays 2-to-1.
How to Play Online Blackjack
The rules are the same whether you play in person or online.
One thing you’ll notice right away is how some Blackjack players sitting at the same table as you like to judge your play when playing in a land-based casino. Playing online Blackjack avoids this, along with all the other advantages, such as comfort, convenience, and speed of play.
Blackjack How to Play: Summary
From understanding card values to knowing when to hit, stand, split, or double down, these basics give players the foundation to enjoy the game. With the dealer's rules and the clear structure of Blackjack rounds, players have everything they need to get started with confidence. Understanding the rules and game flow helps maximise enjoyment and makes Blackjack a rewarding, engaging choice in any casino setting.
Good luck hitting the tables!
