Blackjack

Blackjack is the most widely played table game in casinos worldwide.

Introduction

As the premier casino table game, Blackjack is a staple at nearly every online casino. Its low house edge and favorable variance make it an excellent option for fulfilling bonus wagering requirements when permitted.

Rules and Play

Hands in Blackjack are valued by adding the point value of each card. For instance, a hand with a 4, 5, and 6 totals 4+5+6=15. Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are each worth 10 points. Aces can be counted as 1 or 11 points, meaning an Ace and a 7 could be valued as either 8 or 18. The goal is to achieve a hand total higher than the dealer's without exceeding 21. A total over 21 is a "bust," causing an immediate loss of the bet regardless of the dealer's hand. A two-card hand totaling 21 (an Ace with a 10-point card) is a "blackjack," the highest-ranking hand. Blackjacks typically pay 3 to 2, while other winning hands pay even money (1 to 1).

After placing a bet, both player and dealer receive two cards. One of the dealer's cards is dealt face-up for the player to see. Under standard rules, if the dealer's upcard is an Ace or a 10-point card, he will check for a potential blackjack. If the dealer shows an Ace, players may take "insurance"—a side bet that pays 2 to 1 if the dealer's hole card completes a blackjack. The house edge on insurance is typically between 2% and 15% depending on deck composition, making it generally unfavorable except in specific scenarios where the remaining deck is known to be rich in 10-point cards (such as during certain card-counting situations or specific multi-deck plays). For further details, please refer to our insurance exceptions guide. If the dealer has a blackjack, the round ends. Otherwise, the player decides how to proceed with their hand using the following options:

Stand — Keep the current hand total and end your turn.

Hit — Draw an additional card. You may continue hitting until you decide to stand, reach 21, or bust.

Double — Double your original bet and receive exactly one more card, after which your turn ends. This option is typically only available on a two-card initial hand.

Split — If your first two cards are of equal rank, you may split them into two separate hands, doubling your initial bet in the process. Each split hand receives one additional card. If you split Aces, you usually receive only one more card per Ace and cannot hit further. For other pairs, you may continue playing each resulting hand normally, choosing to hit, stand, or double where allowed. Re-splitting may also be permitted depending on casino rules.

Strategy

Despite its many rule variations, optimal Blackjack strategy is surprisingly straightforward. There are no decisions about which specific cards to take; the choice is simply whether to hit or stand. Place your wager on either the banker or player hand, wait for the dealer to reveal the cards, and then see if you've won. Under typical conditions, betting on the banker carries a slightly lower house edge than betting on the player, as detailed below. Consequently, the optimal basic strategy is to consistently bet on the banker.