Black Jack

LET'S PLAY

Blackjack is one of the most iconic and widely played casino games in the world. With a perfect mix of skill, strategy, and luck, this game has captivated gamblers for centuries. Whether you’re playing in a high-stakes Vegas casino or casually at home, the goal remains the same—get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Unlike many other casino games, Blackjack allows players to use strategy to tilt the odds in their favor. From card counting legends to casual weekend players, everyone has a shot at beating the dealer. Ready to learn? Let’s dive into the rules, strategies, and secrets of mastering Blackjack!

What You Need

Object

Earn bets by beating the Banker's hand with a higher hand of your own without going over 21.

• A standard 52-card deck

• Betting items like chips.

Set Up

Each player places their bet before the round starts.
Every player, including the dealer, receives two cards.
Players’ cards are dealt face up.
The dealer receives one card face up and one face down (the hole card).

Card Ranks

Numbered cards (2–10)

are worth their face value.

Face cards (J, Q, K)

are worth 10 points.

Aces

can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on which benefits the hand more.

Watch the complete, comprehensive guide here!

Game Play

Players act one at a time, starting with the player to the dealer’s left.

Players can choose to:

Stay:

Keep their current hand.

Hit:

Take another card. If they go over 21, they bust and lose the round.

Double Down:

Double their bet and take only one more card.

Split:

If dealt two cards of the same value, they can split them into two hands (with an additional bet).

After all players finish, the dealer reveals their hole card.

The dealer must hit if the dealers total is 16 or lower.

The dealer must stay if the dealers total is 17 or higher.

Winning

Player wins if:

The player’s hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, they win and are paid 1:1.
The player has Blackjack (Ace + 10 value card on the first two cards), they are paid 3:2—unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case it’s a push (tie).
If the dealer busts (goes over 21), all remaining (non-busted) players win.

The dealer wins if:

A player goes bust
Their hand is closer to 21 than the players

If the deal and a player have the same value, it's a Push and no bets are exchanged.

Note: all win/loses are on an individual basis as the Banker is taking on each player separately.

Splitting & Doubling Down

Splitting:

If dealt two of the same card, a player can split into two separate hands, placing an additional bet.

Doubling Down:

Players can double their bet and receive just one more card.

Key Strategy & House Edge

Basic Strategy: Following a Blackjack strategy chart can reduce the house edge.

Beware of 6:5 Payouts: Some casinos offer 6:5 payouts instead of 3:2 for Blackjack—avoid these tables.

Blackjack is a mix of skill and luck, making it one of the most strategic casino games. Learning when to hit, stay, split, or double down will improve your odds significantly. If you want to maximize your chances, check out the basic strategy chart!