Master the gameplay techniques and strategies of this popular casino gameBlackjack, known by some as “21,” is a beloved card game where players aim to beat the dealer with a hand that most closely totals 21 points. While it’s mainly a game… Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account Section 1 of 5:

Blackjack Objective

Download Article5. The goal of Blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. In Blackjack, every player is competing against the dealer—not each other. In a given round, the player’s ultimate goal is to get a hand that’s higher than the dealer’s (without being higher than 21, or “busting”). Only by beating the dealer can a player win their bet. Players determine the value of their hand by tallying up the point values of their cards:1XResearch source

• 2 through 10: The number listed on the card (e.g., 2 is worth 2 points)

• Jack, Queen, King: 10 points

• Ace: 1 or 11 points (the player gets to choose)

• An Ace and a 10, Jack, Queen, or King equals 21 points and is known as a Blackjack. AdvertisementSection 2 of 5:

Blackjack Rules

Download Article10. 1All the players make a bet with their chips. Using whatever betting materials they have on hand, each player wagers a certain amount of currency (before they even get their cards). All players must submit their bets before the round officially starts.2XResearch source

• This is also known as a “buy-in” or minimum bet.

• If you have poker chips on hand, divide them among the players so everyone can make their bets. If you aren’t playing for cash, feel free to use anything you have a lot of lying around your home (like matches).3XResearch source

11. 2The dealer gives a card to each player as well as themselves. The dealer hands a card face-up to each player and then places a card face-down in front of themselves. It’s okay if the players can see each others’ hands—all that matters is that they can’t see the dealer’s first card.4XResearch source

• A 52-card card deck is used to play Blackjack. The dealer needs to remove the Jokers and shuffle the cards before distributing them.

12. 3The dealer hands out a second card to every player. As they did before, the dealer passes another face-up card to each player. This time, though, the dealer places their second card face-up in their hand (leaving the first card face-down still).5XResearch source
13. 4The player to the left of the dealer starts gameplay. To keep things organized, have the player left of the dealer go first each round; from there, gameplay continues in a clockwise direction.6XResearch source
14. 5Decide if you want to stay or hit. Take a look at your 2 cards and add the numerical total together—how close is it to 21, and how does it compare to the dealer’s hand? If the total is pretty high (like 17 or 18, which is very close to 21), “staying” (leaving your hand as-is) is probably your best option; if your total is on the low end (like in the single digits), “hitting,” or getting another card added to your hand, could be beneficial.7XResearch source

• Staying simply means that you don’t want the dealer to give you another card that’ll get added to your total. This is signified by holding your hand flat and waving it.8XResearch source

• Hitting means that you’d like the dealer to add another card to your hand, and is signified by tapping the game table with your pointer and middle finger. You can hit as many times as you’d like until you reach or go over 21.9XResearch source

15. 6Cycle through each player until they’ve each finished their turn. Give each player time to look over their cards and let the dealer know if they’d like to hit or stay. Players who hit too often may end up busting, or getting a card total that’s over 21. They automatically lose the round as well as their initial bet.10XResearch source
16. 7The dealer reveals their second card and winners are determined. At this point, the dealer flips over their original card to reveal their hand total. If the total is 16 or lower, they’re required to hit and take another card. If the card is 17 or higher, the dealer is required to stay.11XResearch source

• Keep in mind that the dealer has to play by different rules than the rest of the players.

• If the dealer gets a Blackjack, all the players automatically lose the round, unless they have a Blackjack themselves. In this case, they push—in other words, the player who got Blackjack simply gets their original bet back. A push also occurs anytime the player’s hand matches the dealer’s.

17. 8Bets are paid out and a new round begins. Any player with a hand that’s higher than the dealer’s (but not higher than 21) wins the round (unless they busted).12XResearch source All winning hand gets paid in a 1 to 1 ratio; if you bet 1 chip, you win 1. If you have a 21-point (Blackjack) hand, you typically get paid out at a 3 to 2 ratio—so, if you bet 2 chips for the round, you’d get rewarded with 3 (leaving you with 5 total chips)13XResearch source

• After the round ends, the dealer collects the cards, shuffles them, and starts a new round. AdvertisementSection 3 of 5:

Special Gameplay Techniques

Download Article22. 1SplittingIf your second card is identical to your first (e.g., two 8 cards), you have the option to “split” your hand into 2 separate ones. Place the same number of chips down for your split bet, and then ask for the dealer to “hit” each of your hands. Think of splitting as just giving yourself an extra turn for the round—each hand is separate from the other. Even if one hand busts, you still continue playing with your other hand.14XResearch source

• If you split 2 Aces, the player can only hit each hand one time. If you end up getting a point total of 21 on one of your hands, this isn’t considered a Blackjack (in terms of payout), but it still pushes if the dealer gets a Blackjack.

• Any 2 cards with the same point value can split, like a Queen and a Jack (which are both worth 10 points).15XResearch source This rule varies by casino, though, so double-check with your dealer before you try this maneuver.

• Separate your pointer and middle finger into a “V” shape and place them on the table to let the dealer know that you’re splitting.

23. 2Doubling downYou have the option to “double down,” or double your initial bet before the dealer gives you another card—this gives you the chance to earn significantly more money in a single go. Doubling down only lets you hit once, but it can be a lucrative way to have a successful round if you feel that luck is on your side.16XResearch source It’s best to double down when you have a lower hand, like an Ace/11, since getting a 10-value card would jump you up to a Blackjack.

• Signal to the dealer that you want to double down by touching an extended pointer finger to the game table.

• If you don’t feel like doubling your bet, feel free to bet a lower amount instead.17XResearch source

• You can double down on any hand that’s lower than 21, including split hands. The main thing to remember is that you can’t hit after you’ve doubled-down.

24. 3Surrendering If you have an especially bad hand, “surrender” to the dealer instead of hitting or staying. Surrendering deducts 50% off your original bet, but it can save you from a total loss.18XResearch source To signal a surrender to the dealer, slide your pointer finger in a horizontal line on the game table.

• Not all casinos may let you surrender.19XResearch source

25. 4Side-betting (insurance) All players have the opportunity to place a side bet (better known as “insurance”) whenever the dealer’s first card appears as an Ace—by placing a bet, you believe that the dealer has a 10-point value card face-down in their hand (thus giving them a Blackjack). This “insurance” bet can be equal to or less than your original bet.20XResearch source

• If the dealer has a Blackjack: Your first bet loses (unless your hand is a Blackjack as well), but your side bet gets a 2 to 1 payout. For example, if you bet 1 chip on the side bet, you’d get 2 back (giving you 3 total).

• If the dealer doesn’t have a Blackjack: You lose all the chips you put down for the insurance bet.

26. 5Basic strategy While there’s a lot of chance involved with Blackjack, you can optimize your chances of a successful round by factoring in the totals of your cards. Some people have even made a spreadsheet-like chart that helps you quickly analyze the best move to make based on your current hand.21XResearch source

• Check out wikiHow’s Blackjack cheat sheet here. AdvertisementSection 4 of 5:

Common Blackjack Strategies

Download Article31. 1Stay if your hand is 17 or higher. While there’s always the chance that you could receive an Ace, 2, 3, or 4 if you ask the dealer to hit, the odds aren’t in your favor. It’s always safer to stay and hope that your hand won’t be lower than the dealer’s—the chances of busting and knocking yourself out at this point are much higher! 32. 2Assume that the dealer’s face-down card is a 10. In a given deck of cards, 16 of the 52 cards have a value of 10 points (the 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings). While it’s definitely not a guarantee that the dealer’s hidden card is a 10, the odds for 10 specifically are better than any other individual card value—so, it’s a pretty reasonable strategy to take as a beginner.

• More advanced players don’t use this strategy and instead opt for more sophisticated methods, but it’s a good strategy for beginners.22XResearch source

33. 3Assume that the dealer will bust if their face-up card is 6 or lower. In Blackjack, the dealer is required to hit if their hand is less than 16.23XResearch source Let’s say the dealer’s first card is a 6, and then their next card is a King (valued 10), giving them a total of 16. The rules would require the dealer to hit again, since their hand is lower than 17, but the chances of them getting an Ace, 2, 3, or 4 are low compared to the other cards. Because of this, it’s safer to assume that a low first card means that the dealer will bust.
34. 4Never bet on insurance. While insurance can be a lucrative way to make some money (especially if your original bet fails), it’s nearly impossible to predict if the dealer will have a 10 face-down when they first reveal an Ace in their hand. Instead, play it safe and decline when the dealer offers insurance bets.24XResearch source AdvertisementSection 5 of 5:

Proper Casino Etiquette

Download Article39. 1Place your money on the table instead of handing it to the dealer. For security purposes, most casinos require all money to be laid out on the table, so it’s clear how much the player is betting. The dealer will then count the money, accept the funds, and distribute the proper amount of chips based on how much you paid.25XResearch source 40. 2Leave your cards on the table and don’t touch them. In Blackjack, you aren’t supposed to pick up your hand—after all, you don’t have any reason to hide it from the dealer or your fellow players. Instead, leave your cards untouched on the table after the dealer puts them down.26XResearch source

• Some casinos may allow you to handle the cards, but only you to do so with one hand.27XResearch source

41. 3Use hand signals to call your plays. For security purposes, casinos require players to physically demonstrate their gameplay decisions so there’s no confusion or debate later on.28XResearch source To review, the hand signals are as follows:

• Hit: Tap the table with your pointer and middle finger

• Stay: Wave a flat hand above the table

• Surrender: Draw a horizontal line with 1 finger

• Split: Spread your pointer and middle finger in a “V” shape and touch the table with them

• Double down: Touch the game table with an extended pointer finger

42. 4Confirm with the dealer if you can reference a chart on your phone. Blackjack strategy charts can be a helpful resource when you’re in the heat of the game, but the dealer might not be keen on you checking your phone during the round. Instead, confirm with the dealer and see if it’s okay first.29XResearch source
43. 5Give the dealer a tip once you’re done playing. Depending on how much you’re walking away with, give the dealer a small bonus as a thanks for running the game. Many players opt to give the dealer somewhere between $5 and $10, but you’re welcome to give more if you’ve really won big.30XResearch source Advertisement

Community Q&A

SearchAdd New Question- QuestionWhen do you place the bet?Community Answer Place your bet before the cards are dealt. Split, double down, and insurance bets take place after the cards have been dealt. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow YesNoNot Helpful 11Helpful 28

• QuestionIf my hand is lower than the other players’ hands but beats the dealer, do I win?Community Answer Yes. Each of the players is playing the dealer only, not the other players. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow YesNoNot Helpful 8Helpful 27
• QuestionDoes the house almost always deal a 10?Community Answer Not always, but the chances are a lot higher, seeing as every deck, has a 4/13 (16/52) chance of getting a 10. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow YesNoNot Helpful 9Helpful 20

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Tips

• If you’re playing Blackjack in a casino, refrain from joining any games that offer a 6 to 5 payout for Blackjack. This earns you less money than a traditional 3 to 2 payout model.31XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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