Rules of Blackjack
It doesn’t take long to learn how to play blackjack. Once you understand the goal of the game, you’re pretty much good to go. There are a few advanced blackjack bets, but those will be covered on our blackjack bets page. For now, these rules will teach you the basics and get you started in no time.
Object of the Game:
Blackjack is a contest between the player and the dealer. Your goal in blackjack is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. You begin each hand with two cards and may then draw as many cards as you wish in order to get as close to 21 as possible.
You have to be careful when drawing, though. If you draw a card that puts you over 21, your hand is considered “bust” and you lose your wager. The same thing applies to the dealer. Note – if you bust, you lose your bet whether or not the dealer also busts.
In the event of a tie, the bet is considered a “push” and nobody wins or loses money.
Blackjack Card Values
2 through 10 – Numbered cards are worth the number printed on the card. A deuce is worth two points, a three is worth three points and so on.
Jack, Queen, King- These are worth ten points each.
Ace – An ace is worth either 1 or 11 points. Aces automatically take whichever value is most beneficial to the player holding it.
How to Play Blackjack
1. The players at the table place their wagers in front of them on the table. There will be a sign somewhere that states the minimum and maximum bets.
2. The dealer deals two cards face up to each player. The dealer then receives one card face down and one card face up.
3. Each player now gets a turn to draw as many additional cards as desired. The play begins with the player to the left of the dealer and moves to the left around the table. Players who bust during this time immediately lose their bets.
4. After each player has acted, the dealer reveals his hidden card and plays out his hand. The dealer must play according to a strict set of rules. In most casinos, this means the dealer must hit on all totals of 16 or less and stand on 17 or greater.
5. The players with a higher total than the dealer win even money on their wagers. Everyone else loses their wagers. If the dealer busts, all players who didn’t bust win even money on their wagers.
Blackjacks
Any player who is dealt a total of 21 on their first two cards (an Ace plus a card worth 10 points) automatically wins the hand unless the dealer also gets a 21. This is called a “blackjack.” Players who win with a blackjack receive a 3:2 payout on their original wagers.
Things to Know
Casinos that deal both cards face up do not allow you to touch your cards. This rule is enforced to prevent cheating. In these games, the dealer is the only person who may touch the cards.
The word “hit” means you would like to receive another card. The word “stand” means you are done receiving cards. Live casinos prefer that you use hand signals rather than spoken words to express your wishes. You can tap the table to hit and pass your hand over your cards to stand.
For additional blackjack information, check out our other blackjack pages: