How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack ("21") is the most popular casino card game in the world. The goal is simple: get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. With the right strategy, it also offers the lowest house edge of any casino game.
Card values
Complete rules
Goal
Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. If you or the dealer exceed 21, it's a "bust" — an automatic loss.
Initial deal
All players and the dealer receive 2 cards. Your cards are face-up. The dealer has one card face-up and one face-down (the "hole card" — revealed at the end).
Natural Blackjack
Ace + a 10-value card (10, J, Q or K) on your first 2 cards = Blackjack! You win immediately at 3:2 payout. Only a push (tie) if the dealer also has Blackjack.
Your options
Hit: take another card (as many as you like). Stand: keep your hand and end your turn. Double Down: double your bet and receive exactly 1 more card. Split: if you have 2 cards of equal value, split into 2 separate hands (doubles the bet).
Dealer's turn
After all players act, the dealer reveals the hole card. The dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more — no choice involved.
Winning
You win if your hand is higher than the dealer's without busting, or the dealer busts. Push (tie) returns your bet. You lose if you bust or the dealer scores higher.
4 key strategies
Learn basic strategy
Basic strategy is a mathematically optimal chart showing exactly what to do (Hit, Stand, Double, Split) in every situation. Following it perfectly reduces the house edge to under 0.5%.
Never take Insurance
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace. It looks appealing but carries a high negative expected value for the player. Always skip it.
Double Down on 11 (almost always)
With a hand totalling 11, Doubling Down is almost always correct — you have a strong chance of hitting a 10-value card for 21. Exception: when the dealer shows an Ace.
Always split Aces and Eights
Two Aces together = 2 or 12 (weak). Split them and each could become 21. Two Eights = 16 (the worst hand). Split them and each 8 has room to improve significantly.
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Play Blackjack FreeFrequently asked questions
What is a natural Blackjack?
A natural Blackjack is an Ace plus any 10-value card (10, J, Q, K) on your first two cards. It pays 3:2 — better than a regular win (1:1). If the dealer also has Blackjack, it's a push (tie) and your bet is returned.
Is an Ace worth 1 or 11?
An Ace is worth whichever value benefits you most at that moment. Ace + 7 = "soft 18" (Ace counts as 11). If you hit and would bust over 21, the Ace automatically counts as 1 instead.
What is the house edge in Blackjack?
With perfect basic strategy the house edge is around 0.5% — the lowest of any casino game. Without strategy it rises to 2–4%. This makes Blackjack mathematically the most player-friendly casino game.
Is card counting illegal?
Card counting is legal — it's not cheating, just mental math. However, casinos can and do ask card counters to leave. In online games it's ineffective anyway because the deck is shuffled after every hand.