Blackjack, also known as 21, is one of the oldest and most popular casino card table games in the world. The rules on playing blackjack are quite simple, which is a major reason for the game’s enduring popularity.
Blackjack is a casino banked game, meaning that players try to beat the dealer rather than each other. The objective is to get a hand total of closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21 (busting).
In casinos, blackjack is played on semi-circular tables, with the round portion of the table facing the players, and the straight edge facing the dealer. This is also most likely the design of the top table you will see when playing online.
At the start of a Blackjack game, the players and the dealer receive two cards each. The players’ cards are normally dealt face up, while the dealer has one face down (called the hole card) and one face up. The best possible Blackjack hand is an opening deal of an ace with any ten-point card.
How do you beat the dealer?
- By drawing a hand value that is higher than the dealer’s hand value.
- By the dealer drawing a hand value that goes over 21.
- By drawing a hand value of 21 on your first two cards, when the dealer does not.
How do you lose to the dealer?
- Your hand value exceeds 21.
- The dealer’s hand has a greater value than yours at the end of the round.
Generally casinos would have between six and eight decks of cards shuffled together making counting cards or keeping track of cards played so far extremely difficult.
How are the points counted?
- Cards between 2 and 9 keep their numerical value
- Face cards count as 10 points
- Aces are counted as either 1 or 10
How to play your hand
After the dealer deals the two cards to a player, the player has the following options.
Stand – If your first two cards are acceptable, you can stand and the dealer will move on to the next player or if you’re the only player the dealer would play his/her hand.
Hit – If you would like more cards to improve your hand total, the dealer will deal you more cards, one at a time, until you either “bust” (go over 21) or you choose to stand. There is no limit on the number of cards you can take (other than going over a total of 21).
Double Down – If you have a hand total that is advantageous to you but you need to take an additional card you can double your initial wager and the dealer will deal you only 1 additional card.
Split – If you’re dealt a pair (2 cards of equal value) you have the option to put out a second wager and the dealer will split the two cards so that each card will become the first card on two new hands. This also applies to face cards. You are allowed to split a hand consisting of a King and a Jack because they both have the same value, even though they are not actually a pair.
Surrender – If you don’t like your initial hand, you have the option of giving it up in exchange for half your original bet back.
Ok so you’re done playing your hand and the dealer is done playing their hand according to the restrictions above. One of 2 things will happen.
- The dealer will bust, and they will pay even money (1 times the wager) to each hand that is still in play on the table. or…
- The dealer will make a hand (17 through 21). If your hand is still in play, it’s a simple battle of who has the higher hand. If the dealer has the higher hand, they sweep your bet. If you have the higher hand, the dealer pays you one times your wager. If you and the dealer have the same hand-total, it’s considered a “push” and you keep your money but are not paid on your wager.
There are a few variations of the classic Blackjack game. We will review some of them in a future article.