How to Play Blackjack

Blackjack is a favorite among online and in-person casino goers, and this comes as no surprise thanks to the card game's simplicity and high RTP.

Before you play blackjack online or in person, you should know a few things about blackjack rules, basic strategy, blackjack mistakes and the best way to beat the dealer by achieving a winning hand. Read on for our expert tips so you can start betting with confidence.

HOW TO PLAY BLACKJACK FOR BEGINNERS

While not all casinos offer the same rules—for example, whether or not a dealer stands on 17 on a "soft" or "hard" hand—blackjack begins when a player places a bet to receive two cards. Players bet they'll beat the dealer's hand by getting closest to 21 without going over.

The steps for playing blackjack are straightforward for any variant, including single-hand, multi-hand, and live dealer games. There may be an element of counting cards in a multi-hand game for intermediate or advanced players using an optimal strategy.

Whatever blackjack card game you choose, and however you decide to play or bet, here's how classic blackjack works:

1. CHOOSE A REPUTABLE BLACKJACK CASINO

Players in legal online gambling states can choose one of our recommended real money online casinos. You'll have to confirm your location is in a legal jurisdiction by using a geolocation plugin or the location settings of a mobile app.

If you're outside of legal gambling states, you can still play blackjack in demo mode or via other platforms like social casinos or sweepstakes casinos such as McLuck Casino or High 5 Casino.

2. PICK A BLACKJACK VARIANT

Trustworthy online casinos have tons of blackjack variants, but if you're new, start off with a basic version. You should also look for a title with a low bet minimum to get your feet wet.

3. PLACE A MINIMUM BET

Place the bet minimum from the 'Chip Selector' onto the table and click 'Deal' to start the blackjack card game. The buy-in will vary depending on the casino you play at and the blackjack variation you choose.

4. RECEIVE YOUR CARDS

The first two cards (and any remaining cards) in a player's hand are dealt face-up, while the dealer gets a face-up card and a face-down card (referred to as the hole card). With an Ace showing, the dealer's face-down card is checked for blackjack—an Ace paired with a card valued at 10 (10s, Jacks, Queens, or Kings)—which means the dealer wins.

If the dealer checks and gets a natural blackjack, the game or hand ends since the player loses their original bet automatically (unless they paid for an Insurance bet, a side bet a player decides to wager or not, only when the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, resulting in a tie or "push").

5. ANALYZE DEALER'S HAND AND HIT OR STAND

Decide how to play your hand. Click 'Hit' to receive another card or 'Stand' to keep your hand.

You may also choose to 'Double Down' by adding another bet of equal value to your initial bet or 'Split' a hand if they form a pair.

Tip: Use a basic blackjack strategy chart to learn how to play your hand.

6. COLLECT YOUR PAYOUT (HOPEFULLY)

If your hand busts (goes over 21), it's a dead hand—and the dealer collects your bet. It may also be a dead hand if your cards retain an equal value to the dealer's, resulting in a push.

If the dealer busts or you achieve a hand with a higher value, you win your bet, and the casino pays even money (including any other bets on the table).

Once the game ends, you can begin a New Game, Rebet & Deal, or Rebet.

HOW TO WIN AT BLACKJACK

Winning at blackjack takes skill and luck. Professional players suggest that those who stray from an optimal strategy might increase the house edge to 2%.

Here are a few things to know for the best chances of winning, based on a casino edge of less than one percent.

YOU VS. THE DEALER

Regardless of what type of blacjack you play, it's you versus the dealer. Some live dealer options may place players alongside fellow players, but virtual games are more solitary. There are no hand signals necessary and no half-times either.

Newbies may want to try a demo version at an online casino like Caesars Palace Online Casino first to get used to the game.

Learn more about the Caesars Palace Online Casino promo code.

WHEN TO HIT OR STAND IN BLACKJACK

It's important to know when to hit or stand in blackjack, and this depends on your hand versus the dealer's face-up card. Online blackjack games may offer in-game strategy charts that you can use to keep your chances of winning closest to the game's theoretical RTP average.

Based on the dealer's face-up card, you can also download a strategy chart for hard totals, soft totals, pair splitting, and surrender.

We'll cover how to make the most of your bankroll to help you get paid!

If you are interested in other games, read all about Texas Hold'em Poker.

BLACKJACK SITUATIONS AND HOW TO PLAY THEM

Knowing when to Hit for additional cards or Stand with your hand takes practice and patience. Playing separate hands, Doubling Down, and Splitting Pairs also requires knowledge and skills.

In general, we recommend sticking to the following:

• Hard Totals: Hit with a total of 8 against any dealer card; Stand on 17 or better against any dealer card. Double Down on any 11 against any dealer card.
• Soft Totals: Stand with A-9 against any dealer's card. Double Down (if possible) with an A-8 against a dealer's 6; Stand with an A-8 against any other dealer's card.
• Pair Splitting: Always Split Aces and 8s.
• Surrender: Surrender a hard 15 against a dealer's card value of 10; Surrender a hard 16 versus a dealer's face-up card of 9, 10 (or face cards), or Ace.

Here are a few more detailed situations regarding hard totals and how to play them:

• 9: Hit against a 2; Double Down when facing 3s through 6s; Hit against 7s through Aces.
• 10: Double Down when facing 2s through 9s; Hit against 10s and Aces.
• 12: Hit against 2s and 3s; Stand when facing 4s through 6s; Hit against 7s through Aces.
• 13, 14, 15, and 16: Stand against 2s through 6s; Hit against 7s through Aces.

BLACKJACK CARD VALUES

To learn how to play blackjack, you'll need to understand counting cards at a basic level. You don't need to be a professional card counter, since most virtual and live dealer games use automatic shuffling between each hand anyway, no matter how many decks are used.

Most blackjack games use self-explanatory card values from 2 to 10 (i.e., a 2 equals two points, while a 10 equals 10). Face cards (J, Q, K) also equal ten, while Aces equal 1 or 11—forming the best possible hand without going over 21.

Whether you place a real-money wager or play free blackjack games, these are the card values:

• 2s through 9s: Each card represents its numerical value, regardless of colors or suits.
• 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings: Each ten and face card (J, Q, K) equals ten (i.e., J + Q = 10 + 10 = 20).
• Aces: An Ace equals a value of one or 11, based on achieving the best hand closest to 21 without going over (i.e., A + 6 = 1 + 6 = 7 or 11 + 6 = 17).

A soft hand means a hand with an Ace that equals one or 11; a hard hand is any hand without an Ace or where the Ace equals one.

IMPORTANT BLACKJACK TERMS TO KNOW

We've covered most blackjack terms that beginners need to know. Here's a brief reminder of the essential terms to remember to help players better understand the game:

• Blackjack: A natural blackjack means getting a value of 21 from your initial two cards, which pays 3 to 2.
• Bust: If you or the dealer go over 21, that results in a bust or a losing hand. Since the player goes first, they may bust before seeing the dealer's hand.
• Double Down: You can double your wager by receiving one more card (placed sideways on the table).
• Hard Hand: A hand without an Ace or with an Ace that equals one.
• Hit: When a player requests another card from the dealer.
• Insurance: An option that pays 2 to 1 for players if the dealer's Ace results in blackjack.
• Push: A tie between the player and the dealer; your wager gets returned.
• Soft 17: A hand with an Ace and a 6. Check the blackjack table to see if a dealer hits or stands on a Soft 17. Suppose the dealer stands on all 17s, which offers a slightly better RTP average.
• Split: An option for Splitting Pairs. Some tables may allow up to four hands from Splitting; Aces may only get Split once.
• Surrender: Some games allow players to 'Surrender' their hand (first two cards) against the dealer's card, resulting in the loss of only half their wager.

Read: Learn more in our casino glossary.

POPULAR BLACKJACK STRATEGY AND TIPS

We've covered the basics of blackjack, including rules, casino etiquette, and variants. Winning comes from practicing the optimal strategy, which players can memorize over time.

Whether you're playing blackjack or any casino game, it's essential to remember to have fun.

Here are some key strategies and tips to remember before your next game:

• Never gamble with money you can't afford to lose.
• Develop a daily, weekly, or monthly budget for gambling—and stick to it.
• Always Double Down on a hard 11.
• Always Split Aces and 8s.
• Never split 10s (or face cards).
• Always Surrender a hard 15 against a dealer's 10 (or face cards) and a hard 16 versus a dealer's 9, 10, or Ace.
• Never use the Insurance bet.
• Never take an even-money payout for a pending dealer's blackjack against your blackjack.
• Avoid side bets, as their RTPs vastly improve the casino's edge.
• If you stop having fun, take a break!

If you are interested in playing poker, become an expert with our poker cheat sheet.

SURRENDER IN BLACKJACK

In other scenarios, you can make an additional bet, like a Surrender option if available, and the dealer takes half your bet. This is in line with the basic strategy (for how to play blackjack) based on the dealer's face-up card and the strength or weakness of your hand.

Early surrender at retail casinos meant "surrendering" your hand before the dealer checked for blackjack. Late surrender means surrendering a weak hand after a dealer sees that they don't have blackjack.

Tip: The basic strategy for playing blackjack is to Surrender a player's hard total of 15 or 16 against a dealer's face cards of 9, 10, or an Ace. You'd surrender and lose half your bet rather than "Hit" for one additional card.

BLACKJACK ETIQUETTE

Additional blackjack rules may pertain to how to play blackjack at retail casinos. For example, casinos may require players to use hand movements to confirm their actions for the overhead cameras.

To request a Hit, tap the felt or table (similar to "Checking" in poker games). For a second card, you can tap the table once more. To Stand on your cards, you can wave your hand over them to indicate that you don't want another card.

To Double Down, you can place another wager next to your initial bet while indicating to the dealer that you want another card by using your forefinger to show "one."

To Split your hand, you can place another wager on the table and indicate you want to separate your hand by showing a "peace sign" with your fingers.

To Surrender (when available), you can make a horizontal line with your finger behind your cards to show the dealer that you'd like to forfeit your hand for half your initial wager.

Continue to learn about the industry with our online casino guide.

BLACKJACK GAME VARIATIONS

Blackjack remains one of the most popular games at land-based and best new online casinos. Like baccarat, roulette, video poker, and poker games, many blackjack variants have different rules, gameplay, paytables, side bets, and RTP averages.

Here are a few game variations or popular types of blackjack and their RTPs:

• Bet the Set 21 (Light & Wonder): 99.42%
• Blackjack Blazing 7s (Light & Wonder): 99.42%
• Blackjack (Multi-Hand) (Light & Wonder): 99.42%
• Blackjack with Surrender (IGT): 99.67%
• Blackjack Xchange (Slingo Originals): 99.68%
• First Person Blackjack (Evolution Games): 99.29%
• Multihand Blackjack with Poker and Pairs (IGT): 99.67%
• Multihand Blackjack with Surrender (IGT): 99.67%
• Super Fun 21 Extreme (Light & Wonder): 99.12%
• Zappit Blackjack (Light & Wonder): 98.87%

Tip: RTP for the base game applies to players following the basic blackjack strategy. Blackjack side bets, insurance, and other wagers offer lower RTPs than the base game. Games with the fewest decks provide the best odds for players.

BLACKJACK ODDS

A better hand in blackjack means the dealer pays even money based on your initial bet. At most casinos, blackjack tables pay 3 to 2 of your original wager if you get blackjack on your first two cards without needing an additional card.

So, if you bet $10, you'd receive $15 for a total payout of $25, as long as the dealer doesn't get the same rank of 21. (Some casinos may offer an even-money option in that scenario before the dealer checks for blackjack.)

Favorable blackjack strategies advise players to void side bet options like Insurance bets or any game where you don't get paid 3 to 2 for your original bet if you get a natural blackjack.

For the best odds of winning, play blackjack games with an average return-to-player (RTP) of about 99.50%. A less than one percent house edge makes blackjack one of the best player-friendly casino game options.

WHERE DO I PLAY BLACKJACK ONLINE?

Players can play blackjack at a retail or online casino, via virtual or live dealer games, or with friends and a pack of cards. Before wagering for real money online, we recommend trying free demo play versions to get a feel for how the game works.

Wherever you play, use a blackjack chart to practice the optimal strategy and learn the ebb and flow of the game at different bet amounts.

To learn more about big prizes, check out our guide on what are progressive jackpots?

BLACKJACK AND RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

Retail and online casino platforms adhere to strict Responsible Gambling (RG) practices to ensure that players avoid developing problem gambling habits. You can use local, state, and national resources or call 1-800-GAMBLER to discuss any issues.

If you play online, visit the casino's responsible gambling section to learn about problem gambling, setting limits on spending, sessions, and self-exclusion.

HOW TO PLAY CASINO BLACKJACK FAQS

If you have any remaining questions about how to play blackjack, here's our FAQ section. Remember, you can always check the in-game settings for information on rules and paytables, along with a strategy chart for optimizing the game's RTP.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OF BLACKJACK?

The basic blackjack rules apply to a player's hand against a dealer's. Players aim to get as close to 21 without going over—otherwise, they "bust" and lose their hand to the dealer. A player wins the game immediately if they receive 21 on their initial two cards (unless the dealer also gets 21).

HOW DO I WIN AT BLACKJACK?

Following the optimal blackjack strategy with a chart for hard and soft totals helps increase your chances of winning. Other techniques include adhering to the best possible hand and RTP averages, avoiding side bets, and never using the insurance wager.

WHEN DO I HIT VS. STAND IN BLACKJACK?

There are many instances where you shouldn't Hit in blackjack—with deciding to Stand on any hard 17 or better as the most obvious option. With hard totals of 13 through 16, you should also Stand against a dealer's 2s through 6s. With a hard 12, Stand against a dealer's 4s through 6s. With an A-9, you can stand against any dealer's card. The same goes for A-8, except that you should Double Down (if possible) against a dealer's 6. With A-7, you should Stand against a dealer's 7 or 8.

IS BLACKJACK THE SAME AS 21?

Yes, blackjack and 21 are different names for the same game. However, when you're referring to hands in the game, blackjack and 21 are different. Blackjack is a natural, meaning the first two cards a player or dealer gets are an Ace and a face card for a total of 21. You can get a total of 21 by getting more than two cards (such as a 7, 4, and K).

IS ONLINE BLACKJACK SAFE TO PLAY?

As long as you play at a licensed and reputable casino, yes, online blackjack is safe to play.

WHAT IS A SPLIT IN BLACKJACK?

If you receive a hand with two cards of the same value, you can choose to split the hand into new hands. You'll have to place your original bet on one hand and a bet of the same value on the new hand, essentially doubling your original bet. While you can split regardless of the value of the two cards, it's more strategic in some cases than others. For instance, you'll always want to split with Aces and 8s.

IS ACE AN 11 OR 1 IN BLACKJACK?

An Ace can be 11 or 1 depending on what's most advantageous to the hand. Aces are usually 11 unless that would put the hand over 21.