What Is Blackjack?
Blackjack (also called 21) is a casino card game where you play against the dealer, not against other players. Your goal is to get a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over (‘busting’). If your total is higher than the dealer’s when the hand ends, you win. If you bust, you lose immediately — even if the dealer later busts too.
Card Values
- Number cards 2–10: worth their face value (a 7 is worth 7)
- Jack, Queen, King: each worth 10
- Ace: worth 11 OR 1 — whichever helps your hand more
Example: Ace + 6 = ‘soft 17’ (you count the Ace as 11). If you draw another card and bust, the Ace automatically becomes 1.
Setup
- Each player places their bet before cards are dealt.
- The dealer deals two cards to each player, both face-up.
- The dealer deals themselves two cards — one face-up and one face-down (the ‘hole card’).
- A starting hand of Ace + any 10-value card is a Blackjack — it pays 3:2 (you win $15 on a $10 bet).
How to Play — Your Choices Each Turn
Hit
Ask for another card. You can keep hitting until you’re satisfied or until you bust (go over 21). Say ‘hit’ or tap the table.
Stand
Stop drawing cards and end your turn. Say ‘stand’ or wave your hand over your cards.
Double Down
Double your original bet and receive exactly ONE more card, then you must stand. Best used when you have 10 or 11 — one more card often makes a great hand.
Split
If your first two cards are the same rank (like two 8s or two Kings), you can split them into two separate hands by placing a second equal bet. Each card gets a new card dealt to it, and you play each hand one at a time.
Surrender (if offered)
Give up your hand immediately and get half your bet back. A good choice when your hand is very unlikely to beat the dealer.
The Dealer’s Turn
Once all players have finished, the dealer flips over their hidden card. The dealer must follow strict rules: hit on any total of 16 or less, stand on any total of 17 or more. The dealer has no choices — the rules decide for them.
Who Wins?
- Your total is higher than the dealer’s (without busting): You win! Even money (1:1).
- You bust (go over 21): You lose — even if the dealer busts later.
- Dealer busts: All players still in win.
- Your total ties the dealer’s: Push — your bet is returned.
- You have Blackjack and dealer doesn’t: You win 3:2 (e.g. $15 on a $10 bet).
Strategy Tips
- Always split Aces and 8s. Two Aces gives you two chances at 21. Two 8s (total 16) is a bad hand — split them.
- Never split 10s. A total of 20 is nearly unbeatable — don’t break it up.
- Double down on 11 whenever the dealer shows 2–10. You’re likely to make a strong hand.
- Stand on hard 17 or above — the risk of busting is too high to hit.