When playing Blackjack, the player tries to make a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over this number. If you do go over 21, this is known as busting, and you lose your hand and therefore, any money that you have bet.
When dealing Blackjack, the dealer also cannot go over 21 or they lose as well. In the case of a dealer busting, everyone at the table that has not busted automatically wins their hand and their bet.
What is a Bust in Blackjack?
If the total of the cards in your hand or the dealer’s hand adds up to more than 21, that is referred to as a bust.
Dealer Bust Cards
Here are the odds of the dealer busting based on the dealer’s upcard:
- If the upcard is a 2 – 35.30% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 3 – 37.56% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 4 – 40.28% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 5 – 42.89% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 6 – 42.08% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 7 – 25.99% chance of busting
- If the upcard is an 8 – 23.86% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 9 – 23.34% chance of busting
- If the upcard is a 10, Jack, Queen, or King – 21.43% chance of busting
- If the upcard is an Ace – 11.65% chance of busting
What Happens if the Dealer Busts in Blackjack?
If the dealer busts by exceeding 21 after taking a hit, all remaining hands that are at 21 or lower win their bet. The dealer then pays out all winning hands accordingly.
What are the rules if the player and the dealer both bust?
Unfortunately, if both the player and the dealer exceed 21 and busts, the player would still lose their hand and bet based on the fact that they busted first.
If You Tie the Dealer in Blackjack, Who Wins?
In the event of a tie (or push, as it is also called) in Blackjack, where neither the player nor the dealer wins, the player’s original bet is returned. No winnings are awarded, but no losses are incurred either. The round is considered a draw, and the player can choose to place another bet for the next hand.
What Happens if the Dealer Gets Blackjack?
You’ve just been dealt your cards in blackjack, and there’s a mix of excitement and nervousness as you peek at your hand. But then, the dealer reveals their cards, and lo and behold, they’ve got a Blackjack.
At this point, the round typically comes to an immediate conclusion, and the dealer wins against all players who do not also have a Blackjack.
Basic Blackjack Strategy Explained
Basic Blackjack strategy is a set of recommendations that tells a player when to hit, stand, double down, split or surrender. These recommendations are derived from a computer simulation of all the possible game situations that could occur.
Following these recommendations can significantly reduce the house edge over the long haul, thus increasing your chances of making more money.
The following is a basic strategy chart that breaks down the statistical probability of each outcome:
