Blackjack, often called “21,” is one of the most popular casino card games worldwide, and for good reason! It’s easy to learn, offers a thrilling mix of luck and strategy, and gives players some of the best odds in the casino. If you’ve ever wanted to sit down at a blackjack table – either online or at a brick-and-mortar casino – this guide is for you. We’ll break down everything you need to know, from card values to strategic decisions, so you can play with confidence.

The Objective: Beat the Dealer, Not Other Players

Unlike poker, blackjack is not about competing against other players at the table. Your sole objective is to beat the dealer. You can do this in one of three ways:

1. Get a hand total higher than the dealer’s, without exceeding 21.
2. The dealer’s hand exceeds 21 (busts), while your hand does not.
3. Get a Blackjack (a natural 21) on your first two cards, and the dealer does not.

If your hand goes over 21, you “bust” and automatically lose, regardless of the dealer’s hand.

Understanding Card Values

Before you can play, you need to know how cards are valued in blackjack:

• Number Cards (2 through 10): Valued at their face value (e.g., a 7 is 7 points, a 10 is 10 points).

• Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): Each is valued at 10 points.

• Aces: Can be valued as either 1 or 11 points, depending on what benefits your hand most.
  • A hand with an Ace valued as 11 is called a “soft” hand (e.g., Ace-6 is “soft 17”).
  • A hand where the Ace must be valued as 1 to avoid busting is a “hard” hand (e.g., 10-Ace-6 would be “hard 17” because if the Ace were 11, the total would be 27).

The Gameplay Flow: Step-by-Step

A round of blackjack follows a clear sequence of events:

1. Place Your Bet

Before any cards are dealt, each player must place a bet in the designated betting circle on the table. There will be minimum and maximum betting limits for each table.

2. The Deal

Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal cards from a “shoe” (a device holding multiple decks of cards).

• Each player receives two cards face up.

• The dealer receives one card face up (the “upcard”) and one card face down (the “hole card”).

3. Player’s Turn: Make Your Decision

Starting from the player to the dealer’s left, each player gets a turn to act. Based on your two cards and the dealer’s upcard, you’ll choose one of the following actions:

• Hit: Take another card from the dealer. You can “hit” as many times as you like, but remember, if your total goes over 21, you bust.

• Stand: Keep your current hand and end your turn. You’re satisfied with your total and don’t want any more cards.

• Double Down: Double your original bet and receive only one more card. This option is usually available only on your first two cards. It’s a powerful move when you’re confident your hand will be strong with just one more card (e.g., a total of 10 or 11).

• Split: If your first two cards are a pair (e.g., two 8s, two Queens), you can “split” them into two separate hands. You must place an additional bet equal to your original bet for the new second hand. Each hand is then played independently.
  • Important Note on Splitting Aces: If you split Aces, you usually receive only one more card for each Ace. If you get a 10-value card on a split Ace, it counts as 21, not a blackjack (which affects payouts in some casinos).

• Surrender (Less Common): Some casinos offer the option to “surrender” your hand. If you believe your hand is very poor against the dealer’s upcard, you can forfeit half of your original bet and end the hand. This is usually only available on your first two cards.

4. Dealer’s Turn

Once all players have completed their turns (either by standing, busting, or surrendering), the dealer reveals their hole card. The dealer must then play their hand according to strict rules:

• Dealer must Hit if their hand total is 16 or less.

• Dealer must Stand if their hand total is 17 or more.
  • Note: Some casinos have a rule called “Soft 17,” where the dealer must hit on a soft 17 (an Ace and a 6). This slightly increases the house edge.

The dealer continues to hit until their hand reaches 17 or more, or they bust.

5. Determining the Winner & Payouts

After the dealer finishes their hand, winners are determined and payouts are made:

• Player Wins: If your hand is higher than the dealer’s (without busting) or the dealer busts, you win even money (1:1 payout) on your original bet.

• Blackjack: If you get a natural 21 (Ace and a 10-value card) on your first two cards, you typically win 3:2 (or 1.5 times your bet), unless the dealer also has a blackjack (a “push”).

• Push (Tie): If your hand total is the same as the dealer’s (and neither busted), it’s a “push,” and your bet is returned.

• Player Loses: If the dealer’s hand is higher than yours (without busting) or you bust, you lose your bet.

Basic Strategy: Your Best Friend

While blackjack involves luck, basic strategy is a mathematically proven set of rules that tells you the optimal decision for every possible hand combination against every possible dealer up card. Using basic strategy minimizes the house edge and gives you the best chance of winning in the long run. You can find a basic strategy chart below, and should try to memorize this in order to get ahead of the game.

Player Hand	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
8 or less	Hit
9	Hit	Double	Double	Double	Double	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
10	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Hit	Hit
11	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Hit
12	Hit	Hit	Stand	Stand	Stand	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
13–16	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Stand	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
17+	Stand
Soft A,2–A,3	Hit	Hit	Hit	Double	Double	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Soft A,4–A,5	Hit	Hit	Double	Double	Double	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Soft A,6	Hit	Double	Double	Double	Double	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Soft A,7	Stand	Double	Double	Double	Double	Stand	Stand	Hit	Hit	Hit
Soft A,8–A,9	Stand
Pair 2s, 3s	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Pair 4s	Hit	Hit	Hit	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Pair 5s	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Double	Hit	Hit
Pair 6s	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Pair 7s	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Hit	Hit	Hit	Hit
Pair 8s	Split
Pair 9s	Split	Split	Split	Split	Split	Stand	Split	Split	Stand	Stand
Pair 10s	Stand
Pair Aces	Split

Table Etiquette

Want to avoid the side-eyes from seasoned players and keep the good vibes going? Here’s how:

🫳 Use Hand Signals: In live casinos, actions speak louder than words. Tap the table to hit, wave your hand to stand — it keeps things clear for the dealer and avoids any “wait, what?” moments.

🙅‍♂️ Hands Off the Cards & Chips: Once your cards are dealt and bets are down, treat them like museum pieces — look, don’t touch (unless the dealer says otherwise).

⏱️ Keep the Game Moving: Take a breath, but don’t start your memoir mid-hand. Quick, confident decisions keep the table flowing and everyone happy.

Blackjack blends strategy with suspense — and a dash of etiquette keeps the whole experience smooth and fun. Play smart, respect the rhythm, and may the dealer bust more than you do.