The object
of blackjack is to get a total value of cards as close to 21 as
possible without going over and beat the dealer's total.
Numbered cards are worth their face value. Face cards -- Kings,
Queens and Jacks -- are each worth 10. Aces are worth either 1
or 11, whichever is better in the circumstances.
If the total value of your cards
exceeds 21, you "bust", which means you lose. If your total is
less than or equal to 21 and the dealer's total is over 21, then
the dealer busts and you win. If neither your total or the
dealer's total exceeds 21, then the higher total wins. In the
event of a tie, no one wins and no one loses. A tie is called a
"push".
You start the game by placing
your bet. Next the dealer deals two cards to you and one to
himself. Usually these cards are dealt face-up. Then the dealer
gives himself a second card face-down. This is called the hole
card. Now you have to make a decision: do you take another card
("hit") or pass to the dealer ("stand" or "stay"). If you hit,
the dealer gives you another card and again asks if you want to
hit or stand. You keep hitting until you are satisfied with your
total or you bust. The dealer must keep taking cards until he
has 17 or more.
So when should you hit and when
should you stand? Check out our
blackjack strategies page.
Here are a few other basic
blackjack rules you'll need to know.
Blackjack
If the first two cards dealt to
you or the dealer are an Ace and a ten-count card (10, Jack,
Queen or King), that is "blackjack". If you have blackjack, you
win automatically, unless the dealer also has blackjack, in
which case it is a push (tie). Blackjack pays higher than an
ordinary win, which pays even money. Blackjack pays 3 to 2,
meaning you win 3 dollars for every 2 you bet. Blackjack is
sometimes called "a natural".
Doubling down
After you receive your first
two cards, you may have the option to "double down". This means
you can double your original bet. Most casino only allow you to
double down when the value of the first 2 cards is 9, 10 or 11.
If you double down, the dealer will give you only one more card
and then draw the cards needed to complete his own hand.
Splitting pairs
When your first two cards have
the same value (for example, a pair of sevens), you have the
option to "split". To split, you have to place another bet equal
to your original bet. Then the two cards are split and you play
them as separate hands. Some casinos allow you to "resplit" if
you get another same-value card.
Special blackjack rules apply
when you choose to split Aces. When you split Aces, you only
receive one more card on each hand and if you get 21, it is not
considered blackjack.
Insurance
When the dealer's face-up card
is an Ace, some casinos will ask if you want "insurance". The
cost of insurance is half your original bet. Your insurance bet
pays 2 to 1 if the dealer gets blackjack, which will equal the
amount you lose on the original bet. For example, say your
original bet was $10. The dealer has an Ace showing and you
decide to place an insurance bet for $5. If the dealer gets
blackjack, you lose your original $10 bet but win $10 on the
insurance bet so you are even. If the dealer does not have
blackjack you lose your $5 insurance bet and play the hand by
normal blackjack rules.
Number of decks
Casinos deal blackjack from a
single deck or from multiple decks. It's traditional for the
dealer to "burn" or discard the top card after shuffling.
Blackjack rule variations
Blackjack rules may vary from
casino to casino. Here are a few rules variations you may
encounter:
- Dealer stands on soft 17.
- Player may double down on
any first two cards.
- Player may double down on
any number of cards.
- Player may double down on
split pairs.
- Player may "surrender" his
hand after the first two cards and lose half his bet.