Blackjack basics
How to play blackjack
You and the dealer each get two cards, and you try to finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. You play your hand first, then the dealer plays by fixed rules.
These answers are for a 6 deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, and you can double on any two cards, including after a split.
Why
You place a bet in your circle. The dealer gives every player two cards face up and takes two, one face up and one face down. If the dealer shows an Ace or a 10, the dealer checks for blackjack before anyone plays.
Then each player in turn decides to hit, stand, double down or split a pair. If you go over 21 you bust and lose right away, even if the dealer busts later.
When every player is done, the dealer turns over the face down card and draws until reaching 17 or more. If the dealer busts, every player still in the hand wins. Otherwise the higher total wins, and a tie is a push, so your bet comes back.
The play against every dealer card
| Choice | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hit | Take one more card. You can hit again. |
| Stand | Keep your total and end your turn. |
| Double down | Add a bet equal to the first and take exactly one card. |
| Split | With a pair, add a bet and play the two cards as two hands. |
Questions players ask
- What is the goal in blackjack?
- Finish with a higher total than the dealer without going over 21, or stay in while the dealer busts.
- Who plays first, the player or the dealer?
- The players play first. The dealer plays last, by fixed rules.
- What happens on a tie?
- A tie is a push. Your bet is returned.
Related answers
- Blackjack rules for beginners
- Blackjack card values
- Blackjack hand signals
- Blackjack terms every player should know
- Blackjack basic strategy chart
Learn blackjack from someone who dealt it for 15 years
Card Sharp is a blackjack trainer built on our own system, taught by someone who dealt the game for 15 years. You play hands on your phone with play money and practice making the right play.