Blackjack Rules Explained

The basic rules of blackjack are simple. Your main objective is to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over, and not be beaten by the dealer's hand. If your total exceeds 21, this is called a "bust," and you automatically lose the round regardless of the dealer's hand.

Once you finish playing your hand, either by reaching 21, going over, or choosing to stop, the dealer reveals their hidden card and plays according to fixed rules. The dealer must try to beat your total without busting. If the dealer busts, you win. If the dealer stays under 21, the higher hand wins, and if the totals are equal, the round ends in a push.

Dealing the Cards

At the beginning of each round, both you and the dealer are dealt two cards. Your cards are always dealt face up, so you can see your total immediately. The dealer receives one card face up, known as the upcard, and one card face down, called the hole card. This partial information is a key part of the game and influences your decisions on how to play the hand.

Cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value. Face cards such as Jacks, Queens, and Kings are each worth 10 points. The Ace is unique because it can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which value gives you the stronger hand. This scoring system is key to how hands are calculated and compared. The image below shows all standard card values used in blackjack.

You can take the following actions:

• Hit: Request another card.
• Stand: Keep your current hand without drawing additional cards.
• Double: Double your original bet and receive only one more card.
• Split: If you're dealt two identical cards, you can split them into two separate hands, placing a new bet equal to the original bet on the second hand. Each hand is then played independently. For example, if you bet one dollar and receive two Aces, you may place an additional dollar on the second Ace and play both hands separately. Most games allow you to draw only one card per split Ace, and a 10-value card drawn on a split Ace does not count as a natural blackjack. Instead, the hand totals 21 and pays only 1:1.
• Surrender: You can forfeit your hand immediately, losing only half your initial bet. This option is advisable when your chances of winning are slim, for instance, if you have a total of 16 and the dealer shows an Ace. Note: The surrender option isn't available in all blackjack variations, so always review the rules at your chosen online casino.

1. Player
2. Dealer
3. Table rules display
4. Dealer's cards
5. Player's cards
6. Chip rack
7. Betting area
8. Chips
9. Card shoe

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Who Wins the Hand

The winner is determined by the total number of points in each hand. The hand closest to 21 without going over wins. If you reach 21 using three or more cards, that hand beats all other totals except a dealer's natural blackjack. Standard winning hands pay 1:1, meaning you receive the same amount as your original bet in profit. A natural blackjack, made with an Ace and a ten-value card, pays more at 3:2. For example, a $100 bet with a regular win returns $200 total, while a blackjack pays $250.

No Winner: "Draw" or "Push"

A "Draw" or "Push" occurs when both you and the dealer finish the round with the same total hand value. Since neither side has a higher score, the hand is considered a tie. In this case, no one wins or loses, and your original bet is simply returned to you. You don't gain any profit, but you also don't lose any money. Pushes are a normal part of blackjack and happen most often when both hands total 18, 19, or 20.

Note that if both you and the dealer have a natural blackjack (Ace + ten-value card), the result is also a push. However, if one side has 21 made with three or more cards and the other has a natural blackjack, the natural blackjack wins. This distinction affects both the outcome and the payout.

Insurance

Insurance is an optional side bet offered when the dealer's face-up card is an Ace. The bet costs half your original wager and pays 2:1 if the dealer has a natural blackjack. For example, if your main bet is $2, the insurance bet would be $1, and a successful outcome would return $3. In some games, the dealer also checks for blackjack when showing a ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King). If the dealer has blackjack, the round ends immediately before you take further actions.

Although insurance may seem like a way to protect your bet, experienced players usually avoid it. The chances of the dealer actually having blackjack are lower than 50%, making insurance a statistically losing bet over time.

How the Dealer Plays

The dealer follows strict rules and does not make decisions based on strategy. Unlike the player, the dealer cannot split pairs, double down, or choose to surrender. Their actions are automatic and based entirely on the value of their hand.

In most blackjack games, the dealer must draw cards until reaching a total of 17 or higher. If the dealer has 16 or less, they are required to hit. With a total of 17 or more, they must stand. Some variations use the rule “dealer hits on soft 17,” which means the dealer will draw another card if they have a soft hand totaling 17 (such as Ace + 6). However, these exceptions are noted clearly at the table and are not common in standard games.

The Ace's Special Role

The Ace is the most flexible card in blackjack because it can count as either 1 or 11 points, depending on which value helps your hand more. This makes hands containing an Ace more forgiving and gives players extra options before risking a bust. Such hands are called “soft” because they can't bust with a single additional card. For example, a hand of Ace and 7 is a “soft 18,” which is safer than a “hard 18” that doesn't include an Ace.

Let's say you have a 7 and then receive an Ace — your hand can count as either 8 or 18. If you stand, it's treated as 18. But if you hit and get a 6, the Ace adjusts to count as 1, turning your hand into 14 instead of busting. Knowing how to play soft hands correctly is a key part of blackjack strategy. For instance, soft 18 (Ace + 7) is usually a strong hand, but against a dealer's 9, 10, or Ace, hitting is often the better move.

Wrapping Up

Now that you understand the basic rules of blackjack, the best way to reinforce what you've learned is through practice. You can play for free using our blackjack simulator, which lets you apply the rules in real game scenarios without any risk. It's a great way to build confidence before moving on to real-money play.

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