Blackjack (or Twenty-one) is one of the oldest and most popular casino games in the world featuring simple rules and attractive odds. The game has a house edge of only 0.5% – 2% making it the fairest game by far. But before you slap some cash on the table and bet big, you should know the complete rules of Blackjack and recommended strategy for success.
Blackjack Card Values and Rules for Play
Cards in the game of Twenty-one are worth the number of points shown. Face cards are worth 10 points, meaning there are far more 10s in the deck than any other value. An ace is valued as a 1 or 11.
If the dealer’s face-up card is an ace or a 10 they’ll first check to see if they have a dealer Blackjack. If this happens, the game ends immediately and all player bets are forfeited except those who were also dealt an opening 21. In that latter case, your hand pushes.
If the dealer doesn’t have 21, play begins. When it is your turn, you may choose to take a “hit” for another card or stand on your existing total. You may also choose to split a pair (described below) or surrender your hand. Your choices are your own and you aren’t obligated to play to a specific strategy even if the other players don’t like what you’re doing.
Once all players have completed their turn, the dealer reveals his face-down card and deals his own turn. In a vast majority of cases, dealers always hit up to 16 and stand on all 17s or higher. Once the game is finished, the dealer pays out the winners and collects from the losers.
Common Blackjack Lingo
The following section is a breakdown of frequently used words and phrases at the Blackjack table:
The Object of the Game
The game is called Twenty-One because, well, you want your cards to add up to 21 points! However, your own score isn’t the only one that matters. You’re playing the game against the dealer, and you must exceed the dealer’s point total in order to win your bet. The other players at the table play independently of you, so it’s everybody against the dealer. This typically means there’s some camaraderie amongst players, and the dealer himself will often celebrate your wins or lament your losses right alongside you.
While you don’t play against the other gamblers’ hands, their actions can still influence your hand. Depending on where you sit at the table, everybody who plays before your turn may wind up taking cards that you were hoping for. When other players operate against Blackjack’s basic strategy, it’s not uncommon for players behind them in the order to grumble about cards that should have belonged to them, but got “stolen” by someone playing contrary to the strategy that would have the highest odds of winning for their hand.
- Common Blackjack Hand Signals
- How to Deal Blackjack like a Pro
- 5 Shuffling Techniques for Blackjack That Ensure Fair Play
- Blackjack Betting Strategies
- Blackjack Dealer Ace: 1 or 11?
- Blackjack Dealer School: Is It Worth It?
- Blackjack Dealing Techniques: How to Master the Art of Dealing Blackjack
- Blackjack: How to Beat the Dealer
- Common Blackjack Dealer Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them
- Counting Cards in Blackjack
- Does the Dealer Show His Cards in Blackjack?
- How to Approach Difficult Players at Your Blackjack Table
- How to Become a Blackjack Dealer
- How to Deal Blackjack at Home
- How to Play Soft Hands in Blackjack
- How to Read the Body Language and Facial Expressions of Players at the Blackjack Table
- Odds of Winning in Blackjack
- Standard Blackjack Dealer Attire and Appearance
- What Happens if the Dealer Busts in Blackjack?
- What is Insurance in Blackjack?
- When Does the Dealer Have to Hit in Blackjack?
- When To Split Pairs in Blackjack
- When to Surrender in Blackjack
- How to Win at Blackjack
- When To Double Down In Blackjack