Blackjack / 21
The World's Most Popular Casino Card Game
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack, also known as 21, is a comparing card game where players compete against the dealer (not each other). The goal is simple: get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over ("busting").
If your hand beats the dealer's hand (or the dealer busts), you win! It's one of the most player-friendly games because with perfect strategy, the house edge is very low.
You're not trying to get 21 - you're trying to BEAT THE DEALER. Sometimes standing on 12 is the right play!
The Deal
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Place Your BetBefore any cards are dealt, each player places their wager in the betting circle.
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Initial DealEach player receives 2 cards face up. The dealer gets 1 card face up (the "upcard") and 1 face down (the "hole card").
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Check for BlackjackIf either player or dealer has exactly 21 with their first 2 cards (Ace + 10/J/Q/K), that's a "Blackjack!"
A natural Blackjack typically pays 3:2 (bet $10, win $15). Regular wins pay 1:1 (bet $10, win $10).
Player Actions
Request another card to add to your hand. You can hit as many times as you want until you stand or bust.
Signal: Tap the table or wave toward yourself.
You're satisfied with your hand and don't want more cards. Your turn ends.
Signal: Wave your hand horizontally over your cards.
Double your original bet and receive exactly ONE more card. You cannot hit again after doubling.
Best when: You have 10 or 11 and dealer shows a weak card (2-6).
Signal: Place additional chips next to your original bet.
If your first two cards are a pair (same value), you can split them into two separate hands. Each hand gets a new second card, and you place another equal bet.
Always split: Aces and 8s
Never split: 10s and 5s
Signal: Place additional chips and make a "peace sign" or say "split."
Some games allow you to forfeit half your bet and end the hand immediately. Only available as your first action.
When to consider: You have 16 and dealer shows 9, 10, or Ace.
Dealer's Turn
After all players act, the dealer reveals their hole card and plays by strict rules:
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Dealer Must Hit on 16 or LessIf the dealer's total is 16 or below, they MUST take another card. No choice.
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Dealer Must Stand on 17 or HigherAt 17 or above, the dealer MUST stop. Some casinos have "dealer hits soft 17."
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Dealer Busts = Players WinIf dealer goes over 21, all remaining players win automatically!
If YOU bust first, you lose immediately - even if the dealer later busts too. This is the house's main edge.
Winning & Losing
Card Values
Soft hand: Contains an Ace counted as 11 (A-6 = "soft 17")
Hard hand: No Ace, or Ace must count as 1 to avoid busting
Soft hands are flexible - you can't bust with one hit!
Example Hands
Basic Strategy Overview
Basic strategy tells you the mathematically optimal play for every situation. Memorizing it reduces the house edge to less than 1%!
Dealer showing 2-6? They're likely to bust - play conservatively.
Dealer showing 7-A? They'll likely make a hand - you need to improve.
When to Hit
- Your hand is 11 or less (can't bust!)
- Hard 12-16 when dealer shows 7 or higher
- Soft 17 or less (you have flexibility)
When to Stand
- Hard 17 or higher (risk of busting too high)
- Hard 12-16 when dealer shows 2-6 (let dealer bust)
- Soft 19-20 (already strong hands)
When to Double Down
- Hard 11: Always double (best hand to double)
- Hard 10: Double if dealer shows 2-9
- Hard 9: Double if dealer shows 3-6
- Soft 16-18: Double if dealer shows 3-6
When to Split
Aces: Two chances at blackjack!
8s: 16 is the worst hand - two 8s are better
10s: You already have 20 - don't mess with it!
5s: 10 is better for doubling than two 5s
4s: 8 is a good starting point
Quick Reference
Common Variations
Some casinos require the dealer to HIT on soft 17 (A-6).
- Slightly increases house edge
- Look for "Dealer stands on all 17s" for better odds
Some tables pay 6:5 instead of 3:2 for blackjack.
- AVOID these tables!
- Significantly increases house edge
- $10 bet: 3:2 pays $15, 6:5 pays only $12
Played with all 10s removed from the deck.
- Player blackjack always wins (even vs dealer BJ)
- Player 21 always wins
- More liberal doubling and splitting rules
- Bonus payouts for certain hands
Both dealer cards are dealt face up!
- You see everything - seems great!
- But: ties lose (except blackjack), BJ pays even money
- House edge is actually similar to regular blackjack
British variation with different terminology.
- "Pontoon" = Blackjack
- "Twist" = Hit
- "Stick" = Stand
- "Buy" = Double Down
- 5-card hand under 21 ("Five Card Trick") beats everything except Pontoon
Side Bets
Most side bets have high house edges and should generally be avoided:
- Insurance: Bet that dealer has blackjack when showing Ace. House edge ~7%.
- Perfect Pairs: Your first two cards are a pair.
- 21+3: Your cards + dealer upcard make a poker hand.
Insurance is statistically a bad bet. Even when you have blackjack yourself, decline insurance and take your chances.