This post covers the rules of blackjack. We have summarized 9 blackjack rules to help you start playing in 5 minutes. Playing blackjack is quite simple and easy to learn. It is the ideal game for beginners to play at a casino. You do not need great skills and experience like poker to win. The below rules are the most fundamental rules of blackjack.
Rule 1: Blackjack is 21
When your first two cards in your hand total to 21 (Ace and 10), you have a blackjack. You won the game! Easy peasy right?
Rule 2: Uses one or more 52-card decks
Blackjack can use one or more 52-card decks. The number of decks depends on the casino or the game provider. Many casinos offer blackjack with many decks since this increases the house edge. When the house edge increases, you have fewer chances to win. We recommend playing blackjack with single deck since this reduces the house edge.
Rule 3: Each card has a value
In blackjack, the value of the card is very easy to remember. Each card has a number on it. That same number is equal to the value of the card. The face cards, Jack, Kings and Queens have a value of 10. Aces are either a value of 1 or 11, depends whichever makes a better hand.
Rule 4: Hit or Stand
At Blackjack, you either hit or you stand. After you get the first two cards if you want to draw another card choose to hit. If you want to stop choose to stand. Going for a stand will hold your total and it ends your turn. We recommend you to learn the basic strategy. It is important to learn and follow the charts if you want to increase your probabilities of winning.
Rule 5: You lose if your hand total is over 21
When you start playing blackjack, the first thing the dealer does is to draw two cards to each player. You cannot exceed 21 with the first two cards. The more cards you draw, the risk of exceeding 21 increases. If you draw a card and your hand total is over 21 you loose (bust).
Rule 6: The dealer hits until the total is 17 or higher
The dealer always plays last. When all the players at a table stands or they are bust, he/she turns the second card face up. Unless the dealer gets a blackjack (Ace and 10), he keeps drawing a card. The dealer stops if a hand total is 17 or higher. If the dealer busts, all players that did not bust will win.
Rule 7: You can split a pair
When you have two of the same card (a pair), you are able to split them. Splitting the card will double your bet, which also means that you will have two hands playing at the same time. The new hand will have the same original bet. You can split the cards on your first move only.
Rule 8: When the dealer has blackjack, you lose!
When the face-up card of the dealer is an Ace, the dealer offers insurance to all players. Insurance is optional and you can refuse it. If the dealer gets a blackjack, all players lose. You do not lose if you have accepted the insurance offer.
Rule 9: The goal is to win
This rule is not exactly a rule but the main goal for every blackjack game you play. In blackjack, many players do a very common mistake. They try to get as close to 21 which is closer to getting busted instead of winning.
At blackjack, you might win with a hand total of 15 or less. If the dealer gets bust, you win. Remember Rule 6? A dealer stands on 17. This means that if a dealer has a total hand of 16, he will hit for another last card. This means that there is a great probability that he gets busted and you will win.
Wrapping things up
So there you have it. Now you know the basic rules of blackjack. This list of blackjack rules is enough to give you a strong understanding of the game. Since rules might change a bit depending on the game, always read the rules.
If you want to play blackjack and see the above rules in practice with no risks, check our free games. If you are playing blackjack at an online casino, we recommend to first play the free version. Every blackjack at any online casino must have the free version available. Sometimes you do not even need to register.
