← Back to TrainerHow to Play Blackjack
Blackjack is the casino table game with the lowest house edge — under 0.5% with correct strategy. This guide covers everything you need to play: the objective, card values, every player option, dealer rules, and how payouts work.
The objective
Beat the dealer. That's it. You beat the dealer by having a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer, or by the dealer going over 21 (busting). You do not need to reach 21. A hand of 14 beats a dealer that busts with 22.
Ways to win
✓Your total is higher than the dealer's
You have 19, dealer has 17
✓The dealer busts (goes over 21)
Dealer draws to 23
✓You get a blackjack (ace + ten-value card)
Pays 3:2 instead of 1:1
Card values
Card values are simple. Numbers are worth their face value. Face cards are worth 10. Aces are the flexible card — worth 11 unless that would bust you, in which case they count as 1.
| Card | Value |
|---|
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Face value |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11 (whichever helps) |
See the full card values guide for more on soft hands, ten-value card math, and how aces work.
How a hand plays out
1Place your bet
Chips go in the betting circle before cards are dealt.
2Cards are dealt
Each player gets two cards face up. The dealer gets one card face up and one face down (the hole card).
3Insurance (if dealer shows ace)
The dealer checks for blackjack and offers insurance. Basic strategy: always decline.
4Players act
Starting from the dealer's left, each player chooses to hit, stand, double, split, or surrender.
5Dealer reveals and acts
The dealer flips their hole card and must hit until reaching 17 or higher.
6Hands are compared
Players closer to 21 than the dealer win 1:1. Blackjacks pay 3:2. Ties push. Busted players already lost.
Player options
On your turn, you have up to five options depending on your hand and the table rules.
Hit
Take another card. You can hit as many times as you want until you stand or bust.
When: When your total is low and you need more.
Stand
Keep your current hand and end your turn.
When: When your total is strong enough or hitting is too risky.
Double Down
Double your bet and receive exactly one more card. You cannot hit again after doubling.
When: When you have 10 or 11 and the dealer is weak, or on certain soft hands.
Split
If your first two cards are a pair, split them into two separate hands. Each hand gets a new second card and you play them independently.
When: Always split aces and 8s. Never split 10s or 5s.
Surrender
Fold your hand and recover half your bet. Only available before taking any other action.
When: Hard 16 vs dealer 9, 10, or ace. Hard 15 vs dealer 10.
Payouts
| Outcome | Payout | Example ($10 bet) |
|---|
| Win | 1:1 | Win $10 |
| Blackjack (3:2 table) | 3:2 | Win $15 |
| Blackjack (6:5 table) | 6:5 | Win $12 — avoid this |
| Push (tie) | 0 | Bet returned |
| Lose / Bust | -1:1 | Lose $10 |
| Surrender | -1:2 | Lose $5 |
Always play at a 3:2 table
6:5 blackjack tables add 1.4% to the house edge. Over hundreds of hands that's a significant difference. Check the felt or placard before sitting down.
The one thing that changes everything
Most casino games are pure luck. Blackjack is different — your decisions change the outcome. A player using basic strategy faces a house edge under 0.5%. A player guessing faces 2–4%.
Basic strategy is a mathematically proven set of decisions for every hand combination. It took thousands of hours of computer simulation to calculate and is available as a free chart. Memorizing it is the single highest-value thing any blackjack player can do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the objective of blackjack?
Beat the dealer by having a hand total closer to 21 without busting. You do not need to hit 21 — any total higher than the dealer wins, including if the dealer busts.
How do you play blackjack?
You and the dealer are each dealt two cards. You act first, choosing to hit, stand, double, split, or surrender. The dealer then reveals their hole card and hits until reaching 17 or higher. Higher total without busting wins.
What does blackjack pay?
A natural blackjack (ace plus any ten-value card) pays 3:2 at good tables. Regular wins pay 1:1. Always avoid 6:5 tables — they add 1.4% to the house edge.
What happens if you go over 21 in blackjack?
You bust and lose your bet immediately, before the dealer even acts. This is the house's main structural advantage — players act first and lose first.
Can the dealer bust in blackjack?
Yes. The dealer must hit until reaching 17 or higher and can bust in the process. When the dealer busts, all players still in the hand win. Dealers bust most often when showing a 5 or 6 (about 42% of the time).
Practice free blackjack with strategy feedback
Blackjack GTO deals real hands and tells you the correct play every time. Learn the rules and basic strategy at the same time. No money, no sign-up.
Play free blackjack →