Rules for Blackjack

Blackjack is played by 1–7 players, all competing against the dealer. Each round usually takes just a few minutes. The game uses a standard 52-card deck, though casinos often use several decks shuffled together.

The goal is to get a hand worth as close to 21 as possible, without going over, and beat the dealer's total. Going over 21 means you lose, regardless of what the dealer has.

Card values in Blackjack:

• 2–10: Worth their face value
• Face cards (J, Q, K): Worth 10
• Aces: Worth 1 or 11, whichever is better for the hand

Suits ♠️♦️♣️♥️ have no effect. Only the values count.

A round goes like this:

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 is face down.
4. Each player looks at their two cards and chooses what to do: hit (take another card) or stand (keep the current hand).
5. Players keep hitting or standing until they either choose to stop or go over 21.
6. Once all players are done, the dealer turns over their hidden card.
7. The dealer must keep drawing until they reach 17 or more, then must stand.

Key rules to keep in mind:

• Players always act before the dealer.
• The dealer must stand on 17 or higher, and must hit on 16 or lower.
• Aces count as 1 or 11, whichever helps the hand more.
• If your total goes over 21, you bust and lose, no matter what the dealer has.
• You only see one of the dealer's cards while you are deciding.

You can win in a few different ways:

• Natural Blackjack: An Ace plus a 10 or face card as your first two cards.
• Higher hand: Your total is higher than the dealer's, without going over 21.
• Dealer busts: The dealer goes over 21 while your hand is still valid.

You lose if you go over 21, or if the dealer's hand beats yours. If both hands are equal (a push), you get your bet back.

Payouts work as follows:

• Natural Blackjack: Pays 3:2 (a $100 bet wins $150)
• All other wins: Pays 1:1 (a $100 bet wins $100)
• Push (tied hands): No win or loss, your bet is returned
• Loss: You lose your bet

A Natural Blackjack only pays out if the dealer does not also have one.

A few straightforward tips:

• Stand on 17 or higher: The risk of busting is too high to keep drawing.
• Always hit on 11 or less: You cannot bust on the next card.
• Watch the dealer's face-up card: If it is 4, 5, or 6, the dealer has a good chance of busting.
• Soft hands give you flexibility: An Ace plus another card lets you draw without as much risk.
• Do not hit on 20: There is almost no way to improve from there.