How to Play Blackjack: Rules, Card Values & Basic Strategy Guide
Blackjack is the most popular table game in casinos worldwide — and for good reason. It has simple rules, a low house edge, and gives players real decisions that affect the outcome. Whether you've never played a hand or you want to sharpen your strategy, this guide covers card values, gameplay flow, basic strategy, and popular variations.
The Basics
The goal of blackjack is straightforward: get a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. You're not playing against other players — it's just you versus the dealer.
A standard blackjack table uses 1-8 decks of cards. You'll find both single-deck and multi-deck games at online casinos we recommend, each with slightly different odds.
Card Values
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| 2 through 10 | Face value (2 = 2, 7 = 7, etc.) |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11 (whichever helps your hand) |
A "blackjack" (also called a "natural") is an Ace plus any 10-value card dealt as your first two cards. It typically pays 3:2 — meaning a $10 bet wins $15. Some tables pay 6:5 for blackjack, which significantly increases the house edge. Always look for 3:2 tables.
How a Hand Plays Out
- Place your bet — Choose your wager amount before cards are dealt
- Receive two cards — Both of your cards are face up. The dealer gets one face up and one face down (the "hole card")
- Make your decision:
- Hit — Take another card
- Stand — Keep your current hand
- Double Down — Double your bet and receive exactly one more card
- Split — If you have two cards of the same value, split them into two separate hands (requires an additional bet equal to your original)
- Surrender — Give up half your bet and fold (not available at all tables)
- Dealer reveals and plays — The dealer flips the hole card and must follow fixed rules (typically hits on 16 or less, stands on 17 or more)
- Outcome — Closest to 21 wins. If you go over 21 ("bust"), you lose regardless of what the dealer has. Ties ("push") return your bet
Basic Strategy: The Cheat Sheet
Basic strategy is a mathematically optimal set of decisions for every possible hand combination. Following it reduces the house edge to around 0.5%. Here are the most important rules to remember:
Hard Hands (no Ace, or Ace counting as 1)
- 8 or less — Always hit
- 9 — Double down if dealer shows 3-6, otherwise hit
- 10 — Double down if dealer shows 2-9, otherwise hit
- 11 — Always double down
- 12 — Stand if dealer shows 4-6, otherwise hit
- 13-16 — Stand if dealer shows 2-6, otherwise hit
- 17+ — Always stand
Key Splitting Rules
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Never split 10s or 5s
- Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s against dealer 2-7
- Split 4s only against dealer 5 or 6
- Split 9s against dealer 2-9 (except 7)
Most online casinos allow you to have a basic strategy chart open while you play — a major advantage over land-based casinos where consulting a chart at the table can be frowned upon. If you're new to blackjack, start with the RNG version to practice at your own pace before moving to live dealer tables.
Popular Blackjack Variations
Beyond classic blackjack, there are dozens of variants with different rules and side bets. Here are the most popular ones you'll encounter, including at newer casino sites:
European Blackjack
Played with 2 decks. Dealer doesn't receive a hole card until the player finishes. Slightly higher house edge (0.62%).
Blackjack Switch
You play two hands simultaneously and can swap the top cards between them. Blackjack pays even money (1:1) instead of 3:2.
Spanish 21
Played without 10-value cards (only Jacks, Queens, Kings). Player blackjack always beats dealer blackjack. Late surrender is available.
Lightning Blackjack (Evolution)
Live dealer variant where random multipliers (up to 25x) are applied to winning hands. Higher minimum bets, more volatile.
Infinite Blackjack (Evolution)
Live dealer game where unlimited players share the same initial hand but make independent decisions. Low minimums, always a seat available.
Tips for Playing Blackjack Online
- Start with free play — Many online casinos offer demo versions of RNG blackjack. Practice basic strategy without risking real money
- Claim bonuses wisely — Blackjack often contributes only 10-20% toward bonus wagering requirements (compared to 100% for slots). Check the terms before using a casino bonus if you plan to play mainly blackjack
- Avoid side bets — Perfect Pairs, 21+3, and other side bets have significantly higher house edges (2-10%) than the main game. They're entertainment, not strategy
- Manage your bankroll — A good rule of thumb is to have at least 30-50x your average bet in your session bankroll. This gives you enough hands to ride out variance
- Choose the right table — Look for 3:2 blackjack payout, dealer stands on soft 17, and the option to double after splits. These rules collectively reduce the house edge
- Try live dealer once you're comfortable — Live blackjack offers the best of both worlds: real cards, real dealers, and the convenience of playing from home. If you also enjoy online slots, many of the same casinos offer both with a single account
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What does "soft" and "hard" hand mean in blackjack?
A soft hand contains an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace + 6 = soft 17). You can't bust by hitting a soft hand because the Ace can revert to 1. A hard hand either has no Ace or has an Ace forced to count as 1 (e.g., 10 + 7 = hard 17). Strategy differs significantly between soft and hard hands.
2 When should I double down in blackjack?
The strongest double down opportunity is when you hold 11, as you have the best chance of hitting 21. Also double on 10 when the dealer shows 2-9, and on 9 when the dealer shows 3-6. With soft hands, double on soft 16-18 against dealer 4-6. Never double on anything above hard 11.
3 Why should I never split 10s?
A pair of 10s gives you 20 — the second-best possible hand. Splitting them gives you two hands starting at 10, each of which needs to improve. Statistically, you win more money keeping the 20 than splitting into two uncertain hands. The exception sometimes argued by card counters doesn't apply to standard play.
4 Should I take insurance in blackjack?
No. Insurance is a side bet with a house edge of about 7.4%. Even when the dealer shows an Ace, basic strategy says to always decline insurance. It's a losing bet in the long run regardless of what hand you hold.
5 What table rules should I look for to get the best odds?
Look for games that pay 3:2 for blackjack (avoid 6:5), where the dealer stands on soft 17, doubling after splits is allowed, and late surrender is available. The number of decks also matters — fewer decks generally means a lower house edge. These rules combined can keep the house edge below 0.4%.