What Is Blackjack?
Blackjack — also called 21 — is one of the most popular card games in the world, played in casinos everywhere and at kitchen tables around the globe. You play against the dealer, not against other players at the table. Your goal is simple: get a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over. If your total is higher than the dealer’s when the hand ends, you win. Go over 21 and you bust — you lose immediately, even if the dealer later busts too.
What You Need
- A standard deck of 52 playing cards — casinos typically use six or eight decks shuffled together, but one deck works perfectly for home games
- One dealer and one or more players
Card Values — The Most Important Thing to Know
- Number cards 2 through 10: Worth exactly their face value. A 7 is worth 7, a 4 is worth 4.
- Face cards — Jack, Queen, King: Each worth 10 points.
- Ace: Worth either 11 OR 1 — whichever helps your hand more. The Ace automatically adjusts to prevent you from busting.
Example: Ace plus 6 = 17 (Ace counts as 11). If you then draw a King, your total would be 27 — too high. But the Ace automatically drops to 1, making your total 17. A hand with an Ace counting as 11 is called soft. A hand where the Ace must count as 1 is called hard.
Setting Up Each Hand
- Each player places their bet before any cards are dealt.
- The dealer deals two cards to each player, both face-up so the player can see them.
- The dealer deals two cards to themselves — one face-up (everyone can see it) and one face-down (the hole card, hidden until the end).
- If any player’s first two cards are an Ace plus any 10-value card, that is Blackjack — the best possible hand. Blackjack pays 3 to 2 on your bet, meaning a ten dollar bet wins fifteen dollars.
Your Choices Each Turn
Hit
Ask for one more card from the dealer. You can hit as many times as you want. If your total goes over 21 at any point, you bust and lose your bet immediately. To hit in a casino: tap the table with a finger.
Stand
Stop drawing cards and keep your current total. Your turn ends. To stand: wave your hand horizontally over your cards.
Double Down
Double your original bet and receive exactly one more card — after which you must stand no matter what the card is. This is a powerful move when your first two cards total 10 or 11, because one more card has a good chance of giving you a strong hand.
Split
If your first two cards are the same rank — for example, two 8s or two Kings — you may split them into two separate hands. Place a second bet equal to your first. The dealer gives each card a new second card and you play each hand independently.
The Dealer’s Turn
After all players finish, the dealer flips over their hidden hole card. The dealer follows strict automatic rules with no choices:
- Dealer MUST draw another card if their total is 16 or less
- Dealer MUST stop drawing if their total is 17 or more
Who Wins?
- Your total is higher than the dealer’s and neither busted: You win — paid even money.
- Your total is lower than the dealer’s: You lose your bet.
- You bust: You lose immediately, even if the dealer later busts.
- Dealer busts and you did not: You win — paid even money.
- Your total ties the dealer’s: Push — your bet is returned.
- You have Blackjack and dealer does not: You win 3 to 2.
Basic Strategy Tips
- Always stand on 17 or higher — the risk of busting is too great.
- Always hit on 8 or less — you cannot bust with one more card.
- Double down when your total is 10 or 11 — you have an excellent chance of landing on 20 or 21.
- Always split Aces — two chances at Blackjack is far better than one.
- Always split 8s — a hard 16 is one of the worst hands; two fresh 8s give you a much better start.
- Never split 10s — a total of 20 is an excellent hand, do not break it up.