How to Play Blackjack: Must-Read Online Guide
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a card game where players compete against the dealer.
The aim is to achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. Blackjack is known for how easy it is to learn, as well as its lower house edge compared to other casino games.
Blackjack is available at nearly all casinos that offer live dealer games but if you’re looking for the top sites to play blackjack, check out our guide for a comprehensive overview.
How to Beat the Dealer
The main goal is to beat the dealer in 3 possible ways
- Getting a hand closer to 21 than the dealer’s without going over 21.
- The dealer exceeding 21 (busting)
- Having a total of 21 in your first 2 cards (Blackjack)
Card counting in blackjack is another strategy some players employ to beat the dealer, but we’d reccomend mastering the basics before attempting that technique.
How do you lose to the dealer?
You’ll lose to the dealer in 2 possible ways.
- Your hand value exceeds 21
- The dealer’s hand is of a greater value than yours at the end of the round without exceeding 21.
The Basics of Blackjack
You’ll be competing against the dealer in blackjack, not other players. The dealer is the representative of the house and must follow strict rules to ensure fair and consistent gameplay
The dealer is responsible for dealing cards, collecting losing bets and paying out winning bets. They’ll follow specific rules, such as standing on certain totals and hitting on lower ones.
The role of the player is much more straightforward. Their objective is simply to beat the dealer in the ways detailed above. To do so, players must make their own decisions, like when to hit, stand, double down, or split. This adds an element of strategy not usually seen in the casino industry, which is more often than not a complete game of chance.
Card Values in Blackjack
Understanding card values is the key to success and is thankfully easy to understand in blackjack.
- Number Cards (2-10) – Worth their face value
- Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King) – Worth 10 points
- Aces – Aces are more versatile. They can be worth a 1 or an 11, depending on what benefits your hand the most. These cards result in a soft total
Soft Hands
Soft hands in blackjack involve the Ace card. Soft hands provide more wiggle room than hard totals by giving the ace two different values, 1 and 11. It offers a safety cushion should your hand exceed 21.
Example of Soft Totals: A hand with an Ace and a 7 may be valued as an 8 or an 18. Players could stand on this card if 18 is the most beneficial total hand, or hit for another card. If the drawn card would cause the total to exceed 21 then the Ace automatically adjusts to a value of 1 to prevent a bust.
Hard Hands
Hard hands are worth the sum of their face values with no variations. Simply add the value of your cards together for a hard total.
Note: If you have a soft total, an additional card would result in a bust, then the ace will adjust to a value of 1 and convert your hand into a hard total.
The Blackjack Table Layout
The Blackjack table is played on a table shaped like a semicircle, with one seat for the dealer and a varying amount of seats for the players.
Blackjack tables usually seat 7 players, but this can vary by casino. The dealer will stand or sit behind the table near the shoe (which holds the deck) and the chips.
Why Play Blackjack?
Blackjack’s popularity is at an all-time high at both land-based casinos and online casinos. Here’s why blackjack is so popular:
- Easy to learn, fun to play – Unlike poker, there are no complex hands to remember. It’s a perfect game for beginners, and still great for seasoned players
- A blend of luck and skill – As mentioned before, many other casino games like slots and roulette are driven by luck alone. Blackjack gives players the opportunity to influence the outcome through strategic decisions
- Variety – There are numerous versions of blackjack available, such as European blackjack, and popular online variants like lightning blackjack and speed blackjack.
Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Blackjack
Placing Your Bet
You’ll need to place your bets before the cards are dealt. This is done by placing your chips in the betting circle if you’re playing in person, or simply making a cash wager with digital chips in online blackjack. You’ll have the option to make side bets as well as a main wager. Read our comprehensive guide to side bets to learn how to place and play with side bets.
Dealing the Cards
Once all bets are placed, the dealer begins the round by dealing cards. Each player receives two face up cards. The dealer receives one face up (the upcard) and one face down (The hole card). Your cards will help to determine your next actions, while the dealer’s upcard gives you a clue about the strength of their hand.
The Player’s Turn
After all cards are dealt, you’ll need to decide how to proceed with your current hand. You may:
- Hit – Receive another card until you are satisfied with your total or bust
- Stand – Do not take any additional cards.
- Double Down – Double your initial bet to receive another card. This is usually done when you’re confident with your hands potential (Like when your total is 10 or 11)
- Split – If your first two cards are of the same rank (e.g. two 7’s) then you may split them into two separate hands. A second wager equal to the original bet is required.
The Dealer’s Turn
After you’ve made your decision, it’s the dealer’s turn. The dealer follows a stricter set of predetermined rules. They must hit if their hand total is 16 or less, and must stand if their total is 17 or higher. If the dealer busts, all remaining player hands automatically win.
Hit, Stand, Double or Split?
If you’ve read our guide so far then you’ll be aware of the actions that you, the player, must take on your turn. There are few choices, but each is significantly different.
Making the right decision will depend on both your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Here is a guide to each decision.
When to Hit
You should hit when your current total is low, or when there is a good chance of improving your hand without busting.
- When your hand is 8 or less – Remember that the highest value card is an 11. Adding another card to your hand can only improve it. You can’t bust.
- When your total is 12-16 and the dealer’s upcard is higher than 7 – In this situation the dealer has a good chance of reaching 17 or more. It’s wise to improve your hand here.
- With Soft Hands – Hitting with a soft hand is less risky because the Ace can become a 1 to avoid a bust. There are still situations where you’re unlikely to improve your hand and more likely to damage your chances. Stand on all soft 20’s, and most soft 19’s.
When to Stand
Stand when your hand is strong enough to beat the dealers, or when the risk of hitting is likely to result in a bust.
- When your total is 17 or higher – In this situation it’s unlikely that you’ll improve your hand without busting.
- When your total is 12-16 and the dealer’s upcard is 2-6 – The dealer is much more likely to bust because of their weak upcard, so it’s better to stand.
- When you have a soft 19 or 20 – Though soft and more flexible than most hands, they’re strong enough to justify standing.
When to Double Down
Doubling down is riskier, but it can yield greater rewards. Knowing when to double down requires some know-how, as its less black and white than hitting or standing.
- When your total is 10 or 11 and the dealer’s upcard is 2-9 – There’s a fairly high probability of drawing a 10 value card, giving you a total count of 20 or 21.
- When your total is 9 and the dealer’s upcard is 3-6 – Your chances of improving to a strong hand outweigh the risk.
- With a soft 16, 17, or 18 and the dealer’s upcard is 4-6 – A single card here can significantly boost your hand without the risk of busting, as the Ace reverts to a 1 if the total exceeds 21.
When to Split
Splitting Pairs may turn a weak starting hand into two potentially winning ones.
That said, it’s essential to know when splitting is the right move
- Always Split Aces – Splitting Aces allows you to form two strong hands, as a single 10 will take you to 21. Remember that aces are worth 11 or 1, and 2 together are worth 2 or soft 12 to avoid busting from 22.
- Always Split 8’s – Splitting a pair of 8’s gives a total of 16, which is a fairly weak hand. Splitting will allow you to start fresh with two new hands.
- Never split 10’s – Two 10’s total 20, which is almost the best hand you can get. Splitting would pose too much of a risk of getting two weaker hands
- Never split 4’s – A total of 8 is better played as a single hand here. Splitting poses a risk of two weak totals.
Situational Splits
Much like doubling down, there are situations where your decision to split will depend on the dealer’s upcard. Knowing when to split can significantly improve your game, which is why we recommend that avid blackjack players learn perfect basic strategy.
Basic strategy is the concept of knowing exactly what decision to make with any hand you’re dealt. The complicated part of learning basic strategy is the nuances, as basic strategy requires understanding the optimal move for every possible hand based on the dealer’s upcard.
If you’re interested in mastering your game and lowering the house edge, then check out our blackjack basic strategy guide.
Some common examples of situational splits include always splitting Aces and 8s, while avoiding splits on 5s and 10s. But hands like 2s, 3s, 6s, or 9s depend entirely on what the dealer is showing. Getting these choices right can be the difference between winning and losing over the long run.
How to Play Blackjack – FAQs
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The strongest starting hand you can get is called a “blackjack.” This is when your first two cards dealt are an Ace and any card worth ten points, like a 10, Jack, Queen, or King. A blackjack beats any other hand you can have, except if the dealer also gets a blackjack at the same time. In that case, it’s a push, meaning neither you nor the dealer wins or loses the bet. -
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It’s not always best to hit on 16, and it depends on the dealer’s upcard. If the dealer shows a 7 or higher, hitting is usually best. If the dealer has a 2–6, it’s often better to stand and hope they bust. -
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Hands with a soft total include an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11. For example, an Ace and a 6 would be a soft 17. These hands give you more options because you can hit without immediately going bust. Hard hands don’t have this flexibility, so if you take another card, there’s a greater chance you’ll go over 21. -
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That really comes down to what you feel comfortable with and how much you’re looking to wager. Starting with one hand is often easier to get the hang of, especially if you’re new to the game. More experienced players might prefer the extra excitement and tactical possibilities that come with playing two hands at once. -
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Yes, blackjack is widely available at online casinos. You can play standard games or choose from exciting variants like Lightning Blackjack, live dealer games, or mobile-friendly versions. -
What is a Side Bet?
Side bets are optional wagers placed alongside your main bet. They offer extra payouts based on specific card combinations, but usually have a higher house edge than the main game. -
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American Blackjack has a house edge around 0.5%, while European Blackjack is slightly higher at 0.7%–1% due to stricter rules. You can reduce the edge by playing with basic strategy.