Rules for 21

21 is suitable for 1–7 players who play against the dealer, and each round typically takes just a few minutes. You'll need a standard 52-card deck, though multiple decks are often used together.

The goal of the game is to reach 21 points, or get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over. Whoever has the best hand wins the round’s bet!

Card values in 21 are as follows:

• 2–10: Face value (2–10)
• Face cards (J, Q, K): Value 10
• Aces: Value 1 or 11, depending on the hand

Suits ♠️♦️♣️♥️ don’t matter — only the values count!

This is how a round is played:

1. All players place their bets
2. The dealer deals two cards to each player and two to themselves
3. One of the dealer’s cards is face up, the other face down
4. The player looks at both of their cards and chooses an action:
5. You can hit (take another card) or stand (keep your current hand)
6. This is repeated until you either stand or go over 21
7. When all players are done, the dealer reveals their hidden card
8. The dealer must draw until they reach 17 or more (they must stand on 17)

Important rules to remember:

• The player always acts before the dealer
• The dealer must stand on 17 or higher
• The dealer must hit on 16 or lower
• Aces count as 1 or 11 — automatically the best for your hand
• If your total exceeds 21, you lose — no matter what the dealer has
• You only see one of the dealer’s cards until your turn is over

There are several ways to win:

• Natural 21: Ace + 10 or face card in the first two cards
• Higher hand: Your hand is worth more than the dealer's without exceeding 21
• Dealer busts: Dealer exceeds 21 while your hand stays under

You lose if: You go over 21, or your hand is worth less than the dealer's. If your hand equals the dealer's (a “push”), you get your bet back.

Payouts are calculated as follows:

• Natural 21: Pays 3:2 (a $100 bet returns $150)
• All other wins: Pays 1:1 (a $100 bet returns $100)
• Push (same value): No win or loss (you keep your bet)
• Loss: You lose your bet

A Natural 21 only counts if the dealer doesn’t also have one!

Simple tips for better play:

• Always stand on 17 or higher: Risk of busting is too high
• Always hit on 11 or less: You can't bust with the next card
• Watch the dealer’s face-up card: If it’s 4, 5, or 6, there’s a high chance they’ll bust
• Be cautious with soft hands: (Ace + another card) gives you flexibility
• Never hit on 20: It’s almost impossible to improve