Classic Blackjack Simulator

Classic blackjack is traditionally played with a standard 52-card deck, excluding jokers. In practice, most casino versions use multiple decks, usually between 2 and 8. What defines classic blackjack is its straightforward rules, emphasis on basic strategy, and the absence of side bets or gimmicks. It's the purest form of the game, where the objective is simple: beat the dealer without going over 21.

Try our Classic Blackjack Simulator right here for free, no deposit required!

In online casinos, blackjack can often be played across multiple hands simultaneously. The number of decks used affects the house edge, as follows:

Number of Decks	House Edge
One deck	0.17%
Two decks	0.46%
Four decks	0.64%
Six decks	0.65%

Best Real Money Blackjack Casinos (USA)

• Secure
• Licensed
• Fast Withdrawals

Rank	Casino		Welcome Bonus	USA	Play
		Cherry Gold Casino	$2700 Welcome Pack		Play Now
2		BoVegas Casino	$5500 Welcome Pack		Play Now
3		Cherry Jackpot	$3000 Welcome Pack		Play Now
4		CasinoMax	$10,000 +100 Free Spins		Play Now

Scoring in Blackjack

Scoring in blackjack is straightforward: cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face value, while 10, Jack, Queen, and King are each worth 10 points. The Ace is unique because it can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which value benefits the hand more *.

Classic Blackjack Rules

Before the game begins, players place their bets, and the dealer then deals the cards. Depending on the specific rules, one or two cards may be dealt face-up initially. After receiving their cards, players choose their next moves based on their initial hand. The dealer takes cards last and must draw until reaching at least 17 points, at which point the dealer must stop.

Keep in mind: achieving blackjack is not the primary goal. To win, you simply need a hand that beats the dealer’s without exceeding 21.

1. Player
2. Dealer
3. Table rules
4. Dealer's hand
5. Player's hand
6. Chip rack
7. Betting area
8. Chips
9. Decks

In land-based casinos, players generally aren’t allowed to touch their cards and should use hand gestures to communicate with the dealer.

Double

Players may double their initial bet to receive exactly one additional card. Note:

• Some game variations do not allow doubling.
• The allowed doubling amount may vary.

Split

If the first two cards have the same value, the player can split them into two separate hands. Each hand receives an additional card and is played independently. This option comes with specific rules and restrictions that vary by game:

• Each split hand receives an additional card.
• Each hand is played independently.
• Some casinos restrict splitting to identical face cards (e.g., J-J can be split, but J-K cannot).
• A split hand totaling 21 does not count as blackjack.
• Some blackjack variants allow repeated splits, but doubling afterward may be prohibited.

Surrender

Surrender is a rule that lets the player give up their hand and recover half of the original bet. It’s used when the odds look especially bad. If allowed, the hand ends immediately, and the dealer’s cards are no longer relevant. There are two types of surrender, depending on when it’s offered:

• Late surrender: Only possible if the dealer does not initially hold blackjack. Typically, the dealer checks their hand first when showing a 10 or Ace.
• Early surrender: Available before the dealer checks for blackjack.

Insurance

Insurance is a side bet that protects against the dealer having blackjack. It’s offered when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, and sometimes a 10. The player places a separate bet, and if the dealer has blackjack, the insurance pays 2 to 1:

• Offered when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace or 10-value card.
• Pays 2 to 1, compensating for a lost primary bet if the dealer has blackjack.