Learn How to Play Blackjack: Rules, Tips & Winning Basics

Blackjack, also known as “21,” is a casino card game where your objective is to beat the dealer. Beating the dealer means either:

• You don’t bust (your hand stays at or below 21) and your total is higher than the dealer’s total

• Or the dealer busts while you stay under or at 21

You are not competing against other players; each player plays independently against the dealer. A hand totaling exactly 21 from the first two cards is called a blackjack or “natural.” This hand beats all dealer hands except a dealer blackjack and pays a bonus. Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges in the casino when played correctly, which is why strategy matters.

Card Values & Hand Types

Understanding how cards are valued and how to interpret “soft” versus “hard” hands is fundamental.

Hard total: a hand with no Ace, or where the Ace counts as 1 because counting it as 11 would bust.
Soft total: a hand containing an Ace that can be counted as 11 without busting. For example, Ace + 6 is a soft 17 because the Ace counts as 11. If you draw a 10, the Ace shifts to 1, and you have 17.

Soft hands offer flexibility. Hard hands are rigid.
Examples:

• Soft 18 = Ace + 7

• Hard 18 = 10 + 8, or Ace + 7 when Ace must count as 1

The Deal & Table Flow

Here’s how a standard blackjack round works step by step:

1. Place your bet
   Each player places their bet within the table limits.

2. Cards are dealt
   The dealer gives one card to each player and one to themselves (face up), then repeats. The dealer’s second card (the “hole card”) is usually face down.

3. Check for blackjack
   If the dealer’s upcard is a 10-value or Ace, they may peek for blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, the hand ends immediately. In some European rules, the dealer does not receive a hole card until all players act.

4. Players act
   Starting from the dealer’s left, each player can hit, stand, double, split, or surrender if the rules allow.

5. Dealer plays
   Once players finish, the dealer reveals their hole card and plays according to fixed rules.

6. Resolve bets
   If you bust, you lose immediately. If the dealer busts, you win. If both stay under 21, the higher total wins. A tie is a push.

7. Next round
   Cards are cleared, and the next hand begins.

Hand signals for live games:

• Hit: tap the table or scratch the felt

• Stand: wave your hand over your cards

• Double: place a second equal bet beside your first

• Split: place a second equal bet beside your first

These gestures help dealers and cameras confirm your decisions.

Player Actions

Hit

Request another card. You can hit multiple times until you either stand or bust.

Stand

End your turn and take no more cards.

Double Down

Double your original bet, receive one more card, and automatically stand. Some games allow doubling on any two cards; others restrict doubling to specific totals like 9, 10, or 11. Games allowing more flexibility slightly improve player odds.

Split

If your first two cards are the same rank (for example, 8 + 8 or K + K), you can split them into two hands by matching your original bet. Each hand is then played separately.
Rules vary by casino. Some allow resplitting, doubling after splits, or drawing to split Aces. Others don’t. Liberal rules benefit the player.

Surrender

Available in some casinos. You forfeit your hand and recover half your bet.

• Early surrender: before the dealer checks for blackjack

• Late surrender: after the dealer checks and doesn’t have blackjack

Surrender slightly reduces the house edge when used correctly.

Insurance / Even Money

If the dealer shows an Ace, you may take insurance, which is a side bet up to half your original bet that the dealer’s hole card is 10. It pays 2:1 if true, otherwise it loses.
Insurance is not recommended under standard strategy.
Even money occurs when you have blackjack and the dealer shows an Ace. You can take a guaranteed 1:1 payout instead of the usual 3:2. It’s mathematically identical to insurance and generally not worth it.

Dealer Rules & Soft 17

Dealers follow strict rules and cannot make decisions. They must draw until reaching at least 17. The key difference across casinos is whether the dealer stands or hits on a soft 17 (an Ace + 6).

• S17 (stand on soft 17): better for the player

• H17 (hit on soft 17): worse for the player, adding roughly 0.2 to 0.3% to the house edge

When choosing a table, look for signage that says “Dealer stands on all 17s.”
In European or “no hole card” games, the dealer doesn’t check for blackjack until after players act, which can make doubling or splitting riskier.

Payouts & Pushes

If both you and the dealer have blackjack, it’s a push. If you bust, you lose regardless of the dealer’s result. Always look for tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack. Avoid 6:5 tables as they increase the house edge by about 1.4%.
Pushes happen when both player and dealer have the same total, and the bet is returned.

Rule Variations & House Edge

Different casinos apply variations that subtly affect the house edge. Understanding these differences helps you choose better tables.

To summarise:

• Prefer 3:2 payouts over 6:5

• Prefer S17 over H17

• Fewer decks are generally better

• Liberal doubling and splitting rules favour players

• Avoid no-peek or restricted games when possible

Basic Strategy

Basic strategy is the mathematically correct way to play every hand against every dealer upcard. Using it consistently lowers the house edge to around 0.5% or less.

General Basic Strategy Principles

• Always split Aces and 8s

• Never split 10s or 5s

• Stand on hard 12–16 if dealer shows 2–6

• Hit on hard 12–16 if dealer shows 7–Ace

• Double 10 against 9 or less

• Double 11 unless dealer shows Ace

• Never take insurance

• For soft hands, hit or double more aggressively

Example Scenarios

• You have 16, dealer shows 6 → Stand

• You have 12, dealer shows 2 → Stand

• You have Ace + 6, dealer shows 2 → Hit

• You have Ace + 6, dealer shows 5 → Double

Basic strategy charts can vary slightly by rule set (S17 vs H17, decks used, doubling rules). Most online blackjack trainers or calculators can tailor the chart to your game.

Table Etiquette

Whether in a physical casino or a live dealer room, proper behaviour makes the game smoother for everyone.

• Use clear hand signals along with your verbal decisions

• Keep chips neat and bets visible

• Don’t touch your cards in face-up games

• Don’t offer advice to other players mid-hand

• Respect the dealer and other players

• Don’t celebrate or complain excessively

A courteous, focused player gets respect from both the dealer and fellow players.

Online vs Live Blackjack

Online (RNG) Blackjack

• Cards are generated by software

• You can usually pause or play at your own pace

• Rules may vary between games so always check the paytable

• Lower minimum bets but sometimes less favourable rules

Live Dealer Blackjack

• Real dealers and physical cards streamed to your device

• You interact via chat or buttons

• More immersive experience but usually higher minimum bets

• Same core rules apply so check for S17 and payout details

Avoid side bets unless for entertainment, as they often carry higher house edges than the main game.

Responsible Play

Even with strategy, blackjack involves variance. Play smart and within limits.

• Set a budget before you play

• Bet small portions of your bankroll per hand

• Never chase losses

• Take breaks regularly

• Know when to quit after big wins or losses

• Only play at licensed, reputable casinos

• Use self-exclusion tools if gambling becomes stressful

A clear head and discipline are your most important strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is blackjack skill or luck?
Both. Luck determines which cards appear, but skill determines how well you manage each situation. Using basic strategy minimises losses over time.

Why is 3:2 better than 6:5?
3:2 pays more for blackjack and reduces the house edge by about 1.4% compared to 6:5 tables.

Should I take insurance?
No. Insurance is a side bet with negative expected value.

What is surrender?
Surrender lets you fold your hand early and recover half your bet. It’s useful in tough spots like hard 16 vs dealer 10, if the casino allows it.

How many decks should I play?
Fewer decks slightly favour the player, though casinos often offset this with tighter rules.

Does dealer hitting soft 17 matter?
Yes. Dealer hitting soft 17 increases the house edge by around 0.2%.

What’s the typical house edge?
With good rules and basic strategy, between 0.3% and 0.8%.

Can I use a chart while playing?
Online, yes. In physical casinos, no. Strategy charts are great for learning before you play.

References & Further Reading

Wizard of Odds – Blackjack basics and rule variations
Wikipedia – Blackjack rules and variants
Bicycle Cards – How to play blackjack
Winstar Casino – Beginner’s guide to blackjack strategy