How To Play Blackjack
The goal of Blackjack is to get a hand total as close to 21> as possible without going over, while finishing with a higher total than the dealer.
Card Values
- Number cards are worth their face value.
- Jack, Queen, and King are worth 10.
- An Ace is worth 1 or 11, whichever is more favorable to the hand.
For example, an Ace and a 6 can be worth either 7 or 17. This is called a soft 17.
The Deal
You and the dealer are each dealt two cards. Your cards are face up; the dealer has one card face up and one card face down.
If your first two cards total 21>—an Ace and a 10-value card—you have Blackjack.
Your Turn
You can choose from these actions:
- Hit — Take another card.
- Stand — Take no more cards and end your turn.
- Double Down — Double your original bet and take exactly one additional card.
- Split — If your first two cards have the same value, split them into two separate hands, placing an additional bet equal to the original.
If your hand exceeds 21, you bust and lose the hand immediately.
The Dealer's Turn
After all player hands are complete, the dealer reveals the hidden card and draws according to the table's rules.
The dealer must normally hit on totals of 16 or less and stand on hard 17 or higher.
Hit on Soft 17
Some Blackjack tables use the Hit on Soft 17 rule. When this option is enabled, the dealer must also hit when holding a soft 17, such as Ace-6.
When the option is disabled, the dealer stands on soft 17.
This rule affects the house advantage but does not change your available actions.
Winning
After the dealer finishes:
- A hand over 21 loses.
- If the dealer busts, all remaining player hands win.
- Otherwise, the higher total wins.
- Equal totals result in a push, and the bet is returned.
- A natural Blackjack normally pays a higher amount than a regular winning hand, according to the table's payout rules.
Get as close to 21 as you can—but don't go over!
