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blackjack (sometimes called 21) is one casino game where the House has the smallest edge out of other games (besides poker, but that's another story and game entirely). It's an easy game to learn, easy to play, and super fun! There are plenty of strategies and math involved to help narrow that house edge, and for you to maximize your outcome at the tables. But first things first - you'll need to tackle the basics if you are new to the game. Blackjack happens to be my favorite non-poker casino game, so I wanted to give you a leg up by teaching you some of the basics, and then later diving into some of the finer strategies of this fun (and dynamic) table game!
Click the Subscribe button at the top of this thread so you'll know when new links/lessons are added! Let's dive in...
Blackjack Game Play: Step-by-Step
Blackjack is a fast-paced card game, usually found under "table games" in your online casino menu. You can find a ton of FREE online Blackjack games right here. In Blackjack you play against the dealer, not the other players at the table. Though, how those players (and you) play their hands could affect the outcome of the hand for everyone (more on that later).
🥇Objective (How to Win):
♥️ Play Your Hand
After you get your initial two cards, you'll choose how to play your hand based on your card total and the dealer’s up-card. First, let's talk about card values:
🧮 Card Values
You add the face value of each of your cards to make your hand, with the goal of getting 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. Cards are valued like this:
These are your play options when it's your turn to play your hand:
🧑⚖️Dealer's Turn & Rules
Once all players have finished their turns, the dealer reveals their face-down card and plays their hand according to strict house rules:
🪙A Word About Insurance
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s up-card is an Ace. You’re betting that their face-down card is a 10, meaning they have blackjack.
Almost never. Statistically, insurance is a bad bet for most players. It's only profitable if you're counting cards and know the deck is rich in 10s. Otherwise, it just increases the house edge. Take a line from Professional Blackjack Player Matt Blake's Top 10 Tips on How to Win at Blackjack:
Want to learn more? 📝
Click the Subscribe button at the top of this thread so you'll know when new links/lessons are added! Let's dive in...
Blackjack Game Play: Step-by-Step
Blackjack is a fast-paced card game, usually found under "table games" in your online casino menu. You can find a ton of FREE online Blackjack games right here. In Blackjack you play against the dealer, not the other players at the table. Though, how those players (and you) play their hands could affect the outcome of the hand for everyone (more on that later).
🥇Objective (How to Win):
- Have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer. Don't go over 21 though - going over 21 means you've "gone bust" or "busted", and instantly lose.
- Achieve a "Natural Blackjack": when your first two cards dealt are an Ace and a 10 or face card, this is called "Blackjack" (21) . Getting a natural blackjack usually pays out a larger percentage of your bet: usually 3:2, depending on the casino (more on what that means later).
- The Dealer busting. If the Dealer is forced to continue hitting to the point their card values goes over 21, they bust and everyone at the table who stayed in the hand without busting wins!
- Push (tie): If both you and the dealer have the same total card value, it's a "push" (tie), and you keep your bet. You can also push if both you and the dealer gets a natural blackjack (21) with the first two cards dealt.
- Place your bets! Each player (not the dealer) places their bet before the hand starts.
- Deal the cards. Everyone is dealt two cards to start, with the deal starting on the dealer's left, and going around the table. Whether players' hands are dealt face up or face down is dependent on the casino or game interface, and doesn't really matter one way or the other. When playing LIVE, it is important to NOT lift your cards up off the table - this could result in a penalty.
- What's in the window? Dealer displays one of their two cards face-up (known as the "up-card" or "window"), and one card face-down.
- Anyone being dealt a natural 21 (Blackjack), will get paid out immediately, unless the dealer is showing an Ace in the "window" (up-card), in which case players at the table will be offered Insurance. (More on Insurance in a later thread.) If playing live, you should turn your blackjack over immediately for payout.
♥️ Play Your Hand
After you get your initial two cards, you'll choose how to play your hand based on your card total and the dealer’s up-card. First, let's talk about card values:
🧮 Card Values
You add the face value of each of your cards to make your hand, with the goal of getting 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. Cards are valued like this:
- 2 through 10 are worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10.
- Aces can be worth 1 or 11, depending on what’s best for your hand.
- Example: An Ace + 7 can be 8 or 18 — this is called a soft 18.
These are your play options when it's your turn to play your hand:
- Hit – Take another card. You can take as many cards as you want/need to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. When playing LIVE, you can indicate you want to "Hit" by gently tapping the table near your cards.
- Stand – Stay where you are and end your turn (game play moves on to the next player). When playing LIVE, you can indicate you want to Stand (or Stay) by waving your hand, or simply holding your hand up (as if to say "Stop") - 🖐️
- Double Down – Double your bet, take one more card only, and then stand.
- ➡️️Pro-Tip - When to Double Down? When your initial hand totals 9, 10, or 11, and the dealer's up-card is relatively weak (e.g., 2-6 for a 9, 2-9 for a 10, or any card for an 11). Additionally, doubling down on soft hands (containing an Ace) like 16, 17, or 18 can be beneficial when the dealer shows a lower card.
- Split – If you have two cards of the same value (like 8-8 or 2-2), you can split them into two separate hands (with an additional bet). You can hit as many times on your splits as you wish, as long as you don't bust. It's like playing two hands.
- ➡️️Pro-Tip - "Never Split a Winner". This means, don't split a hand that has a good chance of winning on its own, like two 10s, or two face cards.
- Surrender (if allowed) – Forfeit half your bet and end the hand immediately. This is only available at some tables and must be done before you hit. It is very rare for this to happen at the table.
🧑⚖️Dealer's Turn & Rules
Once all players have finished their turns, the dealer reveals their face-down card and plays their hand according to strict house rules:
- Dealer must hit until they reach 17 or higher.
- At many tables, the dealer must hit on a soft 17 (Ace + 6) — this increases the house edge slightly.
- The dealer cannot double down, split, or make decisions — they follow fixed rules every hand.
- If the dealer has an ace showing in the window, players will be offered Insurance before any hands are played.
🪙A Word About Insurance
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s up-card is an Ace. You’re betting that their face-down card is a 10, meaning they have blackjack.
- The bet costs half your original wager.
- If the dealer does have blackjack, insurance pays 2:1, so you break even overall.
- If not, you lose the insurance bet — even if you win the hand.
Almost never. Statistically, insurance is a bad bet for most players. It's only profitable if you're counting cards and know the deck is rich in 10s. Otherwise, it just increases the house edge. Take a line from Professional Blackjack Player Matt Blake's Top 10 Tips on How to Win at Blackjack:
Want to learn more? 📝
- Subscribe to our Beginner's Guide to Casino Games thread! We'll explore a variety of top casino game strategies, tips, and how-to's, and keep them all catalogued in the Guide.
- Take the courses in the Casino.us Blackjack Academy and earn Casino VIP Chip Awards! See here for more info: Introducing Casino VIP Chip Awards!
- CardsChat members get 5 Casino VIP Chips for their first quality to reply to each of our Beginner's Guide threads!
