Blackjack is a game between you and the dealer: get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. You don’t play against other players, and you can learn the rules in five minutes. Practice as you read with our free blackjack table.
Card values
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| 2 to 10 | Face value |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11, whichever is better for the hand |
A hand where an ace counts as 11 is a soft hand: ace and 6 is soft 17. It can’t bust with one more card, because the ace can drop to 1. Any other hand is hard.
How a round works
- Bet. Place your chips before any cards are dealt.
- The deal. You get two cards face up. The dealer gets one face up (the up card) and one face down (the hole card).
- Blackjack check. An ace plus any 10-value card is a blackjack and pays 3 to 2. If the dealer shows an ace or a 10, most tables check for a dealer blackjack before you play.
- Your turn. Choose one of the moves below until you stand or bust.
- Dealer’s turn. The dealer reveals the hole card and must hit until reaching 17 or more. The dealer has no choices.
- Payout. Beat the dealer and you’re paid 1 to 1. A tie is a push and your bet comes back.
Your moves
| Move | What it does | When it’s allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | Take another card | Any time below 21 |
| Stand | Keep your total and end your turn | Any time |
| Double down | Double your bet, take exactly one more card | First two cards |
| Split | Turn a pair into two hands, each with its own bet | First two cards, if they match |
| Surrender | Give up the hand and get half your bet back | First two cards, where offered |
Rules that change from table to table
- Blackjack payout. Look for 3 to 2. Tables paying 6 to 5 cost players far more over time.
- Soft 17. A dealer who stands on soft 17 is better for you than one who hits it.
- Number of decks. Fewer decks are slightly better for the player.
- Double after split and surrender. Both help the player when offered.
Next step: learn the right move
Knowing the rules is half the game. The other half is basic strategy: the best move for every hand. Look it up in the basic strategy chart, then drill it in the Blackjack Trainer, which tells you the right play as you go.