Basic Blackjack Rules Explained

Blackjack is one of the most popular—and most approachable—casino games in the world. The rules are simple, the strategy is learnable, and you only need a few minutes to understand how the game works. This guide breaks down the basic blackjack rules in clear, easy-to-follow steps so beginners can start playing with confidence.

What Is the Goal of Blackjack?

The objective of blackjack is straightforward:

👉 Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.

You’re not competing with other players at the table—only the dealer’s hand matters.

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How Card Values Work

Understanding card values is the foundation of the game:

• 2–10: Worth their face value
• J, Q, K: Each worth 10
• Ace (A): Worth 1 or 11, whichever benefits your hand

The Ace is unique because it can adjust to avoid busting, which creates “soft” hands.

Hard Hands vs. Soft Hands

Blackjack uses two types of hands:

Hard Hand

A hand with no Ace, or where the Ace counts as 1.
Example: 10 + 6 = hard 16

Soft Hand

A hand where the Ace counts as 11.
Example: A + 7 = soft 18

Soft hands are more flexible because they cannot bust with one hit.

How a Blackjack Round Works

Every blackjack hand follows the same sequence:

1. Players Place Their Bets

Chips are placed in the betting circle before any cards are dealt.

2. Cards Are Dealt

• Each player receives two cards face up
• Dealer gets one card face up and one face down

The dealer’s face-up card is the up-card and is extremely important for strategy.

3. Players Decide How to Play

You choose between the following actions:

• Hit: Take another card
• Stand: Keep your total
• Double Down: Double your bet, take one more card only
• Split: Turn a pair into two separate hands
• Surrender: Quit the hand early and lose half your bet (if allowed)

4. Dealer Plays Their Hand

The dealer must follow strict rules:

• Must hit until reaching 17 or higher
• Usually stands on all 17s (depending on table rules)
• Cannot double, split, or surrender

5. The Hand Is Settled

You win if:

• Your total beats the dealer
• The dealer busts
• You get a blackjack (Ace + 10-value card)

A natural blackjack pays 3:2 at good tables.

Dealer Rules (and Why They Matter)

Dealers must follow fixed rules, which makes your decisions more predictable:

• Dealer 2–6: Weak “bust cards”
• Dealer 7–A: Strong cards

Much of basic strategy is based on reacting to the dealer’s up-card.

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Basic Player Actions Explained

Hit

Take another card to improve your total.
You should hit when your total is low or the dealer has a strong card.

Stand

Keep your hand and end your turn.
Standing is best when your total is strong or the dealer is weak.

Double Down

Double your bet, take only one card, and stand.
Common with strong starting totals like 10 or 11.

Split

If you have a pair (like 8,8 or 9,9), you can split into two hands.
Always split Aces and 8s.

Surrender

Give up half your bet and end the hand early.
Recommended on certain tough matchups like 15 vs 10.

Blackjack Payouts

Standard payouts are:

• Blackjack: 3:2
• Regular win: 1:1
• Insurance bet: 2:1 (generally not recommended)

Avoid tables that offer 6:5 blackjack—it increases the house edge heavily.

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Common Blackjack Table Rules to Know

Rules can vary from one casino to another. These affect the house edge:

• Does the dealer hit or stand on soft 17?
• Is surrender allowed?
• Can you double after splitting?
• Can you split Aces more than once?
• What payout does blackjack offer?

Before playing, check the table rules—they matter more than most beginners realize.

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Example Round of Blackjack

Let’s walk through a simple hand:

1. You bet $10.
2. You receive 10 + 7 = 17.
3. Dealer shows a 6 (weak).
4. You stand because 17 is already strong.
5. Dealer flips a 10 underneath for 16 → must hit → pulls a 7 and busts.
6. You win even money ($10).

Learning how the dealer’s rules work helps you predict outcomes like this.

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Beginner Blackjack Tips

If you’re just starting out, keep these in mind:

• Always assume the dealer’s hidden card is a 10
• Never take insurance
• Learn basic strategy early
• Start at low-stakes tables
• Walk away from 6:5 blackjack games
• Use strategy charts until you memorize them

You’ll avoid most beginner mistakes simply by following these simple principles.

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Why Learning the Basic Rules Matters

Blackjack is one of the few casino games where skill significantly reduces the house edge.
By learning the basic rules—and following simple strategy—you can:

• Make smarter decisions
• Reduce costly mistakes
• Play with confidence
• Keep the house edge low
• Improve your long-term results

Blackjack is easy to learn but rewarding to master.

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Conclusion

Understanding the basic rules of blackjack is the first step toward becoming a confident, skilled player. With card values, player actions, dealer rules, and round structure under your belt, you’re ready to explore basic strategy, analyze real hands, and start improving your play one decision at a time.