How to Play Blackjack
The rules of Blackjack are fairly simple and easy to understand. Learn the fundamentals — from card values to basic strategic decisions — and start playing with confidence.
Blackjack in a Nutshell
The game consists of a dealer, who plays for the bank, and one or more players. Each participant — including the dealer — is dealt cards, and the objective is to get as close to twenty-one as possible without exceeding it. You play against the dealer, not against other players at the table.
At the start of a hand, each player receives two cards face up, while the dealer gets one card face up and one face down. After the initial deal, players decide whether to hit (take another card) or stand (keep their current total). The dealer then reveals the hidden card and must draw until reaching at least 17.
- If your total exceeds 21, you bust and lose immediately.
- If the dealer busts, all remaining players win.
- If neither busts, the hand closer to 21 wins.
- A tie results in a push — your bet is returned.
Card Values and Strategies
Understanding card values is the first step toward making sound decisions at the blackjack table:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 or 11 (whichever benefits the hand) |
| King, Queen, Jack | 10 |
| 2 through 10 | Face value |
A hand containing an Ace counted as 11 is called a soft hand; without it, or with the Ace counted as 1, it is a hard hand. This distinction matters because a soft hand cannot bust on a single hit.
Basic strategy revolves around comparing your hand to the dealer's visible card. For example, standing on a hard 17 or higher is standard, while hitting on 11 or lower is almost always correct. More advanced tactics — such as doubling down and splitting pairs — are covered in our Blackjack Strategy guide.
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