How to Play Blackjack

Learn how to play blackjack in minutes. We present you with a complete guide that will take you from beginner to master. Learn rules, odds, bets, and the best blackjack variants with the lowest house edge.

Beyond the basics, we offer tips on maximizing your winning chances and other essential details about blackjack.

Basics of Blackjack

To learn how to play blackjack, we must start with the basics. These are the essential elements of every blackjack table.

Table layout

The table layout is where the game is played out. Usually, there’s room for 5-6 players, a card slot, and an insurance slot for each. The dealer stands opposite the players.
Chips

The chips are a mandatory part of blackjack, even online. You wager on blackjack by placing your chips on your wagering spot on the table.
Deck of cards

Blackjack is played with 1 to 8 decks of cards, depending on the table. The deck is regularly shuffled to minimize risk of blackjack card counting.
Dealing

In Blackjack, the dealer deals you cards, and its against the rules to hold them in your hands in an ongoing round.
Limits

Each table has betting limits per round. The limits vary, as there’s “regular” and high-roller tables around.

How to Play Blackjack

If you want to get started right away from practice or even real money, follow our step-by-step guide.

Open Blackjack game

Select a blackjack game of your choice

Place your bet

Place your bet and wait for cards to be dealt across the table

Make your play

Hit, stand or double down. Optional: Consult Basic Strategy for the best move.

Wait

Wait for hand resolution (see who’s closer to 21)

Another round!

Collect winnings (play another round)

Blackjack has a reputation for being a skill-based game in part. It has a reputation for being may be difficult to master, but it’s also easy to get into. As an added benefit, the game rounds are played out rather quickly.

Complete Guide to Blackjack

Now that you know what the table looks like and how to play a blackjack round, we can look at the game’s rules, card values, useful terms, and similar important aspects.

Complete guide to Blackjack

Card values
Hand names
Player and dealer rules
Table rules
Odds and payouts
Useful terms

Objective

The objective of blackjack is beating the dealer. At the end of each round, whichever player had a better hand than the dealer will get paid out. It doesn’t matter how many players are on the table.

Since Blackjack is famously known as “21”, there’s a misconception that reaching 21 is the game’s objective, but that is only one of the win conditions.

Here are all win/lose conditions in Blackjack:

Win conditions

Having a hand value that's higher than the dealer’s hand value, at the end of the round.
The dealer drawing a hand value that goes over 21.
Drawing a hand value of 21 on your first two cards, when the dealer does not.

Lose conditions

Your hand value exceeds 21.
The dealer's hand has a greater value than yours, at the end of the round.

Card Values

The card values are the first things you should know in the rules of blackjack. Without this knowledge, it’s impossible to play seriously. Fortunately, there’s not much to learn since the card values are split in 3 categories.

Numbered cards

Clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades numbered from 2-10 are worth their face value.

Picture cards

Picture cards are worth 10 points each, so the King, Queen and Jack are each valued at 10 points.

Aces

The ace is worth either 1 point, or 11 points; it’s the player’s choice and depends on the hand.

Hand names

There aren’t many hand names to remember like you would in poker, but these basics are essential to knowing how to play blackjack. Meaning, how to evaluate your hand, and the dealer’s hand, during gameplay.

Blackjack

Blackjack means getting 21 immediately from your first two cards.

Examples:

King + A = 21 (Blackjack)
Queen + A = 21 (Blackjack)

Soft hand

Any hand that has an Ace can be a soft hand, since Ace (A) is counted both 1 or 11 – whatever suits the player in the moment of gameplay. Meaning, a hand of a 7 and an Ace is both 8 and 18 at the same time, which is why it’s called a “soft” 18.

Hard hand

A hard hand is a hand with a fixed value, meaning it has no Ace in the combination.

Examples:

King + 7 = Hard 17
Ace + 7 = Soft 18
Queen + 5 = Hard 15
Ace + 5 = Soft 16

Push

A push means a draw. It happens when the dealer and player have the same hand value.

Bust

When your hand total goes over 21, it’s called busting or “bust”. This means you lose.

Blackjack Rules

Now that we’ve established the basics of calculating your hand value, mastering the game’s rule set is the next step in learning how to play blackjack.

In blackjack, there are different rules for players and dealers, adding a layer complexity and dynamic to this game.

Player Rules

Hit

Request another card, a common term shared between several card games.
Stand

Stating you don’t want more cards. A stand can’t be “reversed”, it lasts until next game round
Split

Split your hand into two hands, which you proceed to control independently, as if you were controlling two players. This option is only available if certain conditions are met, and in certain tables only.
Double

Double or “double-up” is your only choice of increasing your bet once a round is underway. Doubling up is only available on certain tables, and in specific conditions.

Additional Player Rules

These rules are a bit more advanced, but far from complicated. It just means you should master the basic rules of blackjack first, before tackling these presented below.

Surrender – The surrender rule lets you fold at the cost of 50% of your bet. The other 50% goes to the dealer.
Insurance – Insurance is a side-bet in blackjack. It uses half of your regular stake, in addition to you regular stake. The payout is 2:1. It’s generally not worth it to take insurance in blackjack. The bet is only available when the dealer’s up card is an Ace, and paid out only if the dealer hits a natural.
Soft 17 – A soft 17 is an Ace and a 6. Since the Ace is counted as 1 or 11, A soft 17 can be counted as a 7 (6 + Ace valued at 1 point). That’s why it’s called “soft”.
Even Money – A player who has Blackjack has the option to be paid even money on the Blackjack Wager instead of making an Insurance Wager. If the player selects the even money option instead of insurance, the player will be paid 1 to 1 immediately.

Dealer Rules

As for the dealer, their options are more limited in blackjack compared to players. Here’s what dealers can and can’t do.

Can

Hit
Stand

Can't

Take insurance
Split hands
Double down
Surrender

Table Rules

The table rules determine the house edge. As such, they are one of the most important basics you should know. They will help you pick a table with the best odds for maximizing your chances of winning.

Here are the typical table rules and their values common in blackjack tables in US online casinos.

Table rules

Payout	3:2, 6:5 or 2:1
Decks used	4 to 8 decks
Dealer stands	Stands on soft 17 Hits on soft 17
Dealer hits	Always hits 16 or less Always stands hard 17
Min bet per hand	$0,20 *
Max bet per hand	$5,000 *

*limits vary by casino and table.

Table Rule Variations

Table rules are different to player rules. In blackjack, the variation of these rules greatly influences the house edge.

Player-friendly rules

3:2 blackjack
Dealer stands on soft 17
Early/late surrender
Resplitting aces
Single or double deck
Doubling down on soft hands
Doubling down after resplitting

Unfriendly rules

6:5 blackjack
Dealer hits on soft 17
No surrender
No resplitting aces
Respliting one time
Doubling down (on 9, 10 or 11)
No doubling down after splitting
6-8 decks

The perfect blackjack table doesn’t exist. When looking for a table to play, look for a good portion of player-friendly rules, and only a couple unfriendly ones. The best blackjack tables offer a fine balance of rules.

The most important rule you should never ignore is Blackjack Pays 3:2. Try to always find a table that pays 3:2. The outdated tables that pay 1:1 or 2:1 are extinct, and good to avoid if somehow found. More recently, 6:5 tables have started to appear, but they should also be avoided in favor of 3:2 Blackjack tables, because of the higher house edge.

Blackjack Odds, House Edge and Payouts

We won’t go in-depth at how each rule affects the payout dynamic, but instead present easy to memorize, basic probabilities of common scenarios in each game round of blackjack.

Odds and Probabilities

Looking at odds and probabilities, we explain the probability of going bust if you request an extra card. This dilemma happens in every round, so knowing when it’s safe to Hit or Stand is essential.

Probability To Go Bust on Extra Card

Using the logic in the table below, we should always Hit up to 13, but always stand on 14 or higher.

Hand value	Probability
11 or lower	0%
12	31%
13	39%
14	56%
15	58%
16	62%
17	69%
18	77%
19	85%
20	92%
21	100%

By following these odds and placing the right bets while they’re in your favor, you are essentially following Blackjack Basic Strategy. This strategy officially called “Basic Strategy” advises following a determined set of rules and always making the move with the highest chance of winning. We’re only presenting a small portion of the strategy, to ease you into learning how to play blackjack.

Dealer’s Probability To Go Bust

On the other hand of the table, here are the dealer’s probabilities of going bust.

Dealer’s up card	Probability (when standing on soft 17)	Probability (when hitting on soft 17)
Ace	17%	20%
2	35%	36%
3	37%	38%
4	40%	40%
5	42%	42%
6	42%	44%
7	26%	26%
8	24%	24%
9	23%	23%
10	23%	23%

Sometimes, it’s useful to compare the dealer’s probabilities of going bust, versus your own, and deciding on the best possible move. However, even just focusing on your own hand, and ignoring the dealer, will give you better odds over playing paying attention to the odds.

House Edge

You are free to compare your hand vs the dealer’s hand and doing the math yourself, but Blackjack Basic Strategy simplifies and automates the decision-making process. It tells you exactly what to do for the highest odds, in every imaginable scenario that includes your hand vs the dealer’s hand.

Following Basic Strategy is the best way to increase your odds and win at blackjack.

Number of decks – The number of decks has a considerable effect on the house edge. The fewer decks used, the lower the house edge. That’s why we tend to recommend Single Deck Blackjack variants. However, the deck is only one factor shaping the house edge. It could be that a Single Deck game has worse odds than a multi-deck game because of other unfavorable rules. Typically, online blackjack is played with 4 to 8 decks.
Blackjack pays – Every blackjack expert agrees that playing on 2:1 or 1:1 tables should be avoided at all costs. The most favorable rule is Blackjack Pays 3:2, but more and more casinos are forcing new tables that pay 6:5. Compared to paying on a ratio of 3:2, 6:5 tables show a difference of roughly 1% in house edge against the player’s favor.
Dealer hits or stands on soft 17 – It’s more favorable for the player if the dealer stands on a soft 17. This is a contested topic among casino enthusiasts considering the chances of a dealer busting are lower if he stands on a soft 17. However, mathematical simulations show that if the dealer stands on all 17s, it favors the player in the long run.
Rules for doubling down – Double down is a beneficial rule that lets you double your bet, but it’s only allowed in certain games and circumstances. Doubling down, used at the right time according to basic strategy, essentially doubles your profit potential when your odds of winning are the highest, and the dealer is put in a vulnerable position (2-6 hand value).
Rules for splitting – Splitting and re-splitting are common rules applied to various card values in blackjack. In general, it’s always favorable to split the right cards. Therefore, any game or casino that restricts splitting effectively increases the house edge. For example, if a Blackjack table doesn’t allow re-splitting of aces (A), then the house gains an extra 0.08% edge.
Surrender rule – A table that lets you surrender is beneficial. Surrendering tips the house edge in your favor, but the house edge difference between surrender and no-surrender tables is only 0.08%, which is insignificant relative to other rules with more complexity.

To effectively reduce the house edge when playing blackjack, look for high-impact player-favored rules (blackjack pays 3:2, more freedom to split and double down, option of surrender) and avoid tables that have a bad balance of favorable vs unfavorable rules. In some games, the house edge is publicly displayed, so you don’t have to do much work, but that is not always the case.

Here is how the house edge is affected by various player rules, in practice:

Blackjack rule	House edge influence	Blackjack rule	House edge influence
8 decks	+0.61%	1-2 decks	-0.48%-0.19%
Dealer hits on soft 17	+0.21%	Dealer stands on soft 17	-0.21%
No double down after splitting	+0.14%	Doubling down after a split	-0.14%
Double down on 9-11	+0.09-0.15%	Double down on any first two cards	-0.23%
Double down on 10 or 11	+0.17-0.26%	Resplitting aces	-0.08%
No resplitting aces	+0.08%	Surrender	-0.08%
No surrender	+0.07%	Blackjack bonus payouts of 3 to 2	-0.32%
6 to 5 payout	+1.30%

The possible combinations of a blackjack player, dealer, and table rules are nearly infinite. This is why it’s possible to have so many Blackjack variants, yet all of them are similar.

Blackjack Variants and Their House Edge

You’ll find the following main types of blackjack across all US online casinos. However, their availability may vary between casinos.

Blackjack game	House edge
Single Deck Blackjack (Atlantic City Pro)	0.58%
Multi-hand Blackjack	0,40%
Blackjack Surrender	0.39%
Atlantic City Blackjack	0.36%
Vegas Strip Blackjack	0.35%
Vegas Downtown Blackjack	0,30%
Live Blackjack	Varies

The house edge data clearly indicates that every Blackjack variant offers great odds. Your choice of game should come down to preference. For the best experience, we recommend any live blackjack variant, as they all have at least 99% RTP and offer the best entertainment value.

Payouts

Have a look at the payout ratio of all possible outcomes from the resolution of a blackjack round.

Result	Payout
6 to 5 Blackjack	6:5
3 to 2 Blackjack	3:2
Insurance	2:1
Win	1:1
Even Money	1:1
Push	Bet is returned

The 6 to 5 and 3 to 2 payout ratios of Blackjack refer to payouts of a “natural” hand, which is an A (ace) + a 10, J, Q or K from the first two dealt cards. This is an instant win. 6:5 tables pay an extra 20% for hitting 21 (a natural), whereas 3:2 pays an extra 50%. That difference in house edge is 1.4%. That is massive within this context of these blackjack rules, and the reason why 6:5 blackjack tables should be ignored when possible.

Blackjack Variants You Should Avoid

Most blackjack variants have pros and cons, but some games shouldn’t be considered. We will also outline the reasons why you should avoid these games.

Not Recommended Blackjack variants

Lower house edge at no extra benefit

Player loses if Dealer hand totals 22

Lower than usual house edge

Too different from classic Blackjack rules

Dealer peeks with A or 10

"Switch" option leading to Blackjack pays normal

How To Play Blackjack and Win?

Follow our basic tips and unofficial rules that will greatly increase your odds while playing. Every blackjack player has this knowledge ingrained in their head, as they are more a casual list of dos and don’ts rather than rules. These tips don’t require following a complex strategy like card counting, and let you play in a more laid-back manner.

Check the dealer’s face-up card The dealer’s face-up card determines everything about your next move. If you have a favorable hand, and the dealer’s face up card is a 5 or a 6, this is a nice opportunity to take advantage of rules like double down, split or even re-split. It would increase your odds of winning in an already favorable situation.
Don’t take insurance Never take insurance. In the long run, you will always lose out. This side-bet can serve as a mental comfort, but the math behind blackjack says you should always avoid it.
Avoid side bets Insurance is only one side-bet. However, gaming studios are coming up with different side bets you will find in new blackjack variants, or some live dealer tables. As a general rule of thumb, these bets offer extra entertainment and options, but higher house edge.
Understand soft vs hard hands Understanding if you or the dealer is holding a soft 16 vs a hard 16 is crucial to understanding how to play blackjack. Knowing your hand values puts you in a position of making the right decisions and extra options like double-up, split or surrender.
Learn basic strategy Basic strategy doesn’t need to be learned nowadays. In land casinos, most will hand you small slips with a basic strategy graph to use while playing. Whereas online, the options are limitedIt’s not a secret strategy by any means, nor will it negate the house edge, but it will give you the highest probability of winning, at all times.
Skip 6 to 5 tables A 6 to 5 payout ratio refers to the payout for “natural” hands, which are formed when your initial two cards form a 21. Natural hands in blackjack: A+10 A+J A+Q A+K The 6:5 payout rewards you with an extra 20% for a natural. Compared to 3:2, where the payout is an extra 50%, the house edge difference is 1.4%. Always skip 6 to 5 tables.

Useful Terms

Have a look at common blackjack terms you’ll find in offline and online tables, as well as various blackjack guides.

Dealer peeks

Sometimes, the dealer peeks before the players draw any cards.
Hole card

A card that has been dealt face down, not visible to other players and dealer.
Side bet

A side bet is an extra bet in addition to your main bet.
Natural

(If a player’s first two cards are an ace and a “ten-card” (a picture card (J, Q, K or 10), giving a count of 21 in two cards, this is a natural or “blackjack.
Shoe

Shoe is the box that holds the decks/cards used by the dealer on the table.

Ready To Play Blackjack?

Learning to play blackjack is easy, especially if you follow Basic Strategy. The game’s rules have created many variants, such as Atlantic City Blackjack, Multi Hand and Single Deck Blackjack. In truth, their differences are very slim. The house edge is the ultimate deciding factor.

We encourage you to play blackjack for free in demo mode, before digging in with real money. Choose a top-rated online Blackjack casino to get started. Don’t forget, you can always boost your real money deposit with a welcome bonus.

FAQs

What is a soft 17?

A soft 17 is a hand combination that consists of an Ace and a 6. This hand is called “soft” because the Ace is counted as either a 1 or 11, at the player’s discretion. Therefore, this hand value is 7 and 17 at the same time.

Is it better to play 1 or 2 hands in Blackjack?

It makes no difference with how many hands you play in Blackjack. The odds, rules and payouts don’t change, no matter the number of players. Each hand you have will be treated separately.

Can you win at Blackjack without counting cards?

Yes, players win at Blackjack all the time, and card counting is not possible online. Offline, it’s possible in some circumstances to turn the house edge in your favor through card counting. The house edge of Blackjack is so low that you won’t feel the need for card counting anyway.

What are the rules of Blackjack?

Blackjack has many rules that vary per table. The most important ones are the number of decks used, if the dealer stands or draws on soft 17 and hard 17, and various splitting and re-splitting rules.

How to win Blackjack every time?

It’s not possible to win at Blackjack every time. Even though Blackjack has elements of skill, the ultimate factor of winning will always be luck. The house edge indicates that you will lose out in the long run, as with any casino game.

How to play Blackjack online?

To play Blackjack online, you must register with a US online casino by creating a free account. Top-rated Blackjack casinos offer demo mode of any Blackjack variant, excluding live Blackjack.

How much does Blackjack pay?

Blackjack can pay 2:1, 3:2, or 6:5. The best Blackjack table to play at is the one that pays 3:2. This rule also decreases the house edge and increases your odds of winning. Mathematically, a table that pays 2:1 can be better than a 3:2 table, if different rules are player-favored.

What happens if you tie in Blackjack?

In the case of a tie in Blackjack, all bets are returned as they were. You don’t win or lose or anything.

What is the house edge in Blackjack?

The average house edge in Blackjack is 0,35%. This is one of the lowest house edge games in casino history, and some variants take it down even further. Typically, fewer decks used grants a high house edge, which is why Single Deck Blackjack is one of the best variants by default.