Blackjack, also known as Twenty-One, is a popular casino card game. The aim is to get a higher hand value than the dealer without exceeding 21 points. If you go over 21, you’re bust.
The players and the dealer (also called the House) will each receive two cards. The players’ cards are usually dealt face-up, while the dealer’s cards are dealt with one face-up and one face-down, known as the ‘hole card.’
Players will decide the next moves, which can be ‘hit’ (request an additional card), ‘stand’ (keep a current hand), ‘double down’ (double the initial bet and take one more card), ‘split’ (separate a pair of similar cards and play them as two hands), or ‘surrender’ (give up half of the bet and end the hand). The goal is to achieve a winning combination, i.e., a ‘Natural Blackjack’ (an Ace and a 10-value card), or any hand with a higher value than the dealer’s hand, provided it does not exceed 21 points.
The dealer’s hand must abide by specific rules; often, they must hit a hand value of 16 or less and stand on 17 or more, depending on the table rules. The player wins if the dealer goes over 21 points (and the player hasn’t), or if the dealer has a lower score than the player. The player loses if the dealer has a higher score than the player without exceeding 21 points. If both players have the same value, this results in a ‘Push’ or a tie, and the player gets their initial bet back.
Decision Making
Dealer’s Upcard and Hole Card
Understanding the dealer’s potential hand based on their upcard can help determine whether to hit, stand, double down, or split. For example, if the dealer’s upcard is a low card (2-6) in Blackjack, the dealer’s chances of going bust are higher, so you might want to double down or split.
Understanding Your Hand Value
The value of a player’s hand in blackjack is based on the sum of card point values. Each card carries a point value, with cards 2-10 being worth their face value, face cards (kings, queens, jacks) worth 10 points, and aces worth 1 or 11 points, depending on which value best benefits the player’s hand. The game’s main goal is to have a hand with a total value of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it, which is referred to as “busting.”
When evaluating your hand, consider whether it is a “hard” or “soft” hand. A hard hand is one without an ace or with an ace that must count as 1 to avoid busting. On the other hand, a soft hand is one with an ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11 without exceeding 21. Soft hands generally offer more possibilities.
Hit or Stand:
Players can “hit” by taking additional cards to increase their hand value. Choosing to “stand” means ending your turn and keeping your current hand value.
One basic strategy principle is standing on a hard 17 or higher because hitting at this point carries a higher risk of busting. Conversely, hitting with a value of 11 or lower is automatic since there’s no chance of going over 21 with a single card. For values between 12 and 16, the decision relies on the dealer’s upcard – if it’s weak (2-6), the player should generally stand; if it’s strong (7-ace), it’s often better to hit.
Doubling Down
Here you can double the initial bet for one, and only one, additional card.. Common moments to double down include having a hand of 10 or 11 when the dealer’s upcard is a 9 or lower or holding a soft hand with a value between 16 and 18 while the dealer’s upcard is a 6 or lower.
Splitting Pairs
When a player receives two cards of the same value, they can “split” their hand into two separate hands. An additional bet equal to the original stake is placed on the new hand, and each hand is then played independently of the other. Splitting is advantageous when a player has a pair of cards with a low combined value, like two eights, which together form a weak hand of 16. By splitting the eights, the player increases their chances of getting a better hand on at least one of their new hands, because the most common card to receive is a 10.
However, not all pairs should be split. Pairs of 10s, face cards, and 5s are typically not recommended for splitting because they already form strong or promising hands. And, as always, the decision to split is based on what the dealer is showing.
Insurance and Surrender
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. It protects the player against the dealer having blackjack. Insurance pays 2:1 and costs half the original bet. Avoid insurance, as the odds are not in the player’s favor.
Surrendering allows players to forfeit their hand and half of their bet instead of continuing to play. This option is typically only available after receiving the initial two cards. There are two types of surrender – early and late. Early surrender is rare and can be executed before the dealer checks their hole card for blackjack, while late surrender takes place after the dealer’s check.
Dealer Actions
Unlike players who can decide whether to hit, stand, split, or double down based on their hand values, the dealer usually plays by a strict set of rules. The purpose of these rules is to prevent the dealer from making any conscious decisions that can favor any player. It means that the dealer’s actions solely depend on the total hand value at a given point in the game.
Generally, the dealer draws cards until their hand value is 17 points or higher. The dealer is not allowed to choose. So, if the dealer’s hand value is 16 or below, the dealer must continue drawing cards, hoping to reach a value of 17 or higher. The dealer will hit until they reach a hand value of 17 or more or bust by exceeding 21 points.
However, at some tables, the dealer also hits on soft 17. In which case:
- Dealer stands on hard 17: If the dealer’s hand comprises 17 points without an ace, e.g., 9 + 8, the dealer stands.
- Dealer hits on soft 17: This means hitting on a hand with an Ace and a six, where the value can be counted as 7 or 17. This rule favors the casino, as the dealer has a higher chance of improving their hand.
Natural Blackjack vs. Other Winning Hands
A natural blackjack occurs when a player is dealt an ace and a 10-value card (10, jack, queen, or king) as their initial two cards. It is the best hand in the game because it automatically wins, and the player receives a higher payout than they typically would from just winning a hand – usually 3 to 2 instead of an even money payout.
If the player and the dealer have a natural blackjack, this results in a push (discussed in detail below), and the player’s bet is returned. If the dealer has a natural blackjack and the player does not, the player loses their bet, regardless of their hand’s value.
Push: When Hands are Equal
In blackjack, a push occurs when the player and dealer have hands of equal value. Neither the player nor the dealer wins the round, and the player’s bet is returned.
A push can occur in several scenarios:
- Both the player and dealer have the same numerical hand value (e.g., both have a hand value of 20).
- Both the player and dealer have a natural blackjack.
- The player and dealer both have hands that exceed 21. While this is a rarer case, it still results in a push as neither party has a valid hand.
In all push scenarios, no money is exchanged between the player and the casino, as the original bet remains intact and returned to the player. The game continues with a new round of betting and play.
Payouts and Betting
Chips and Placing Bets
Players must place their bets before the dealer deals the cards. Betting strategies, such as the Martingale system or Paroli system, can help manage bankrolls and adjust risk levels according to a player’s preference.
Standard Payout Ratios
- The player wins with a higher total hand than the dealer: 1-to-1 (also known as even money)
- The player wins with a natural Blackjack: 3-to-2 or 6-to-5, depending on the game variant and house rules
- The player wins with an insurance bet: 2-to-1.
It’s important to note that while the payout ratio for winning hands may seem relatively low compared to other casino games, the frequency of winning hands in Blackjack, combined with optimal strategy play, can lead to greater overall returns.
What is a blackjack, and how is it different from a hand totaling 21?
A blackjack is a two-card hand consisting of an ace and a 10-point card (10, jack, queen, or king), totaling 21. This hand is called a “natural” and typically pays out at 3:2 odds rather than the standard 1:1. A hand totaling 21 made with three or more cards does not have the same increased payout.
What is insurance, and when is it offered in blackjack?
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. The bet is half the original wager and pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. This option serves as a hedge for players, potentially protecting against some losses when the dealer is highly likely to get a blackjack.