How to Play Blackjack
The complete beginner guide — rules, card values, and how a round works
The objective
Beat the dealer by getting a hand total closer to 21without going over. That's it. You are not competing against other players at the table — only the dealer.
If your total exceeds 21, you bust and lose your bet immediately. If the dealer busts, you win. If both you and the dealer finish without busting, whoever is closer to 21 wins. A tie is called a push — your bet is returned.
Card values
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| 2 through 10 | Face value (2 = 2, 7 = 7, etc.) |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 each |
| Ace | 1 or 11 — whichever helps you more |
An Ace automatically counts as 11 unless that would bust you, in which case it counts as 1. A hand with an Ace counted as 11 is called a soft hand. A hand where the Ace must count as 1 (or a hand with no Ace) is called a hard hand.
How a round works
Before any cards are dealt, you bet. Minimum and maximum bet limits are posted at each table.
You receive two cards face-up. The dealer receives one card face-up and one face-down (the "hole card").
If either you or the dealer has an Ace and a 10-value card, that's a blackjack. A player blackjack pays 3:2. If the dealer has blackjack, all players lose (unless they also have blackjack — that's a push).
Starting with your hand, you choose to hit (take another card), stand (keep your total), double down, split pairs, or surrender. You act before the dealer.
After all players have acted, the dealer reveals their hole card. The dealer must hit on 16 or less, and stand on 17 or more — no choices involved.
Whoever is closer to 21 wins. Ties push. Busts lose immediately regardless of what the other party does.
Your options on each hand
Take another card. You can hit as many times as you want until you stand or bust.
Keep your current total and end your turn. The dealer then plays.
Double your bet and receive exactly one more card. Only available on your first two cards.
If your first two cards are a pair, you can split them into two separate hands, each with its own bet.
Fold your hand and get half your bet back. Only available on your first two cards before any other action. Not all casinos offer it.
Rules beginners get wrong
The goal is not to get to 21
Many beginners try to get as close to 21 as possible on every hand. The actual goal is to beat the dealer — sometimes that means standing on 13 if the dealer is likely to bust.
The dealer doesn't have a choice
The dealer must follow fixed rules: hit on 16 or below, stand on 17 or above. There is no strategy involved for the dealer. This is why you can use their up card to predict what they're likely to do.
6:5 blackjack pays less than 3:2
Many tables (especially single-deck games) pay 6:5 on blackjack instead of 3:2. On a $10 bet, 3:2 pays $15 profit; 6:5 pays only $12. Always find a 3:2 table — the difference adds over 1% to the house edge.
Insurance is a bad bet
When the dealer shows an Ace, they offer "insurance" — a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. The math doesn't work out in your favor. Basic strategy says decline insurance every time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the objective of blackjack?
Beat the dealer by getting a hand total closer to 21 without going over. You are not playing against other players — only the dealer.
What are card values in blackjack?
Number cards (2–10) are worth their face value. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10. Aces are worth either 1 or 11, whichever helps your hand most.
What does "bust" mean in blackjack?
Busting means your hand total exceeds 21. If you bust, you lose your bet immediately regardless of what the dealer does.
What is a blackjack?
A blackjack (also called a natural) is when your first two cards are an Ace and any 10-value card. It pays 3:2 at most casinos — a $10 bet returns $15 profit.
Should you always hit on 16?
Not always. If the dealer shows a 2–6 (bust cards), stand on 16 — the dealer is likely to bust. If the dealer shows 7 or higher, hit or surrender if allowed.