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How to play blackjack

Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Number cards count their value, face cards 10 and aces 1 or 11. You see one dealer card and choose to hit, stand, double, split or surrender; the dealer then draws to 17. With basic strategy at a 3:2 table the house edge is about 0.57%.

Checked 2026-11-07. Source: basic strategy solver.

Step by step

  1. Place a bet. Each player bets before any cards are dealt.
  2. The deal. You get two cards face up; the dealer gets one face up (the upcard) and one face down (the hole card). With an ace or ten showing, the dealer checks for blackjack first in most US casinos.
  3. Your move. Hit (take a card), stand (keep your total), double (double the bet, take exactly one card), split a pair into two hands, or surrender half your bet where allowed.
  4. The dealer's move. The dealer turns the hole card and draws until reaching 17 or more, with no choices.
  5. Settlement. Higher total without busting wins even money; ties push. A blackjack (ace plus ten on the first two cards) usually pays 3 to 2.

Try it: play hands with hints

Dealer

You

How cards count: 2 to 10 score their number, J, Q and K score 10, and an ace scores 11 or 1, whichever helps. Closest to 21 without going over wins; going over is a bust.

Bet (play money)

Press Deal to start. Play money: you begin with 1,000 chips.

Chips1,000
Hands played0
Strategy mistakes0 of 0
What mistakes cost (average)0.00
Table rules and hints

19+ in most of Canada (18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec), 21+ in most US states. A calculator shows what a bet pays, not how likely it is to win. Free help: 1-800-GAMBLER (US), ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (Ontario), 211 (Alberta). More help.

The moves explained

  • Hit: take another card. You can keep hitting until you stand or go over 21.
  • Stand: keep your total and end your turn.
  • Double down: double your bet and take exactly one more card. Best with 10 or 11 against a weak dealer card.
  • Split: turn a pair into two hands, each with its own bet. Always split aces and eights; never split tens or fives.
  • Surrender: give up half your bet and end the hand, where the table allows it. Worth it with 16 against a dealer 9, 10 or ace.
  • Insurance: a side bet that the dealer has blackjack when an ace shows. It loses money over time; basic strategy never takes it.

Basic strategy in three rules

  1. Stand on hard 12 against a dealer 4, 5, 6; hit it against anything else.
  2. Stand on 17 or more; hit 16 or less against a 7 or higher.
  3. Double 11 against every card up to 10, and always split aces and eights.

The full chart for your table's rules, with a trainer and a printable card, is on the blackjack basic strategy page.

Ready for more? Learn how to count cards with the Hi-Lo trainer.

Questions

How do you play blackjack?

You and the dealer each get two cards; one dealer card stays face down. Add up your cards and decide to hit (take a card), stand, double, split a pair or surrender. Go over 21 and you lose. Then the dealer draws to 17 or more, and the hand closer to 21 wins.

What are the card values in blackjack?

Cards 2 to 10 count their number, jacks, queens and kings count 10, and an ace counts 1 or 11, whichever helps the hand. An ace with a ten-value card on the first two cards is a blackjack.

What does blackjack pay?

Usually 3 to 2: $15 on a $10 bet. Some tables pay 6 to 5 ($12 on $10), which raises the house edge from 0.57% to 1.92% with otherwise the same rules.

When does the dealer stop drawing?

The dealer must hit 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. Tables differ on soft 17 (an ace counted as 11 plus 6): some say "dealer stands on soft 17", others "dealer hits soft 17", which is slightly worse for you.