How to Play Blackjack for Beginners

Blackjack is a popular casino game that’s thrilling and relatively easy to learn. Unlike poker where you play against other people, in blackjack, you go head-to-head with the dealer. The goal? Get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer without going over – that’s called busting.

Getting Started

The Table

Blackjack is played on a crescent-shaped table with a designated spot for you to place your bet.

The Chips

Replace your cash with casino chips to bet on the game.

Card Values

  • Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
  • Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are all worth 10.
  • Ace can be worth 1 or 11, depending on your advantage

Starting the Game:

  • You’ll join the blackjack table.
  • Each player is dealt two cards face up.
  • The dealer also receives two cards – one face up and one face down.

Gameplay Decisions

Hit

Ask the dealer for another card. Do this when:

  • You’re sure that the next card won’t cause you to go bust (i.e., exceed 21).
  • You’re willing to take the risk of the dealer getting a better hand.

Stand

Ask the dealer to move on to the next player and deal you no more cards. You’ll do this when:

  • The value of your cards is already quite high (e.g., over 17).
  • You can’t be sure whether the dealer’s hand will beat yours.

Dealing the Cards

You and the dealer each get two cards. One of the dealer’s cards will be face down (the hole card).

Your Turn: Hit or Stand

Here’s where the game gets exciting! After seeing your cards, you can choose to:

Hit: Signal the dealer for another card, hoping to get closer to 21.

Stand: Stay with your current hand value, hoping it’s higher than the dealer’s.

 

Making the Most of Your Hand

As you play, you’ll encounter situations where you can make strategic moves beyond hitting or standing. These are optional and depend on the strength of your hand:

Double Down: Double your bet in exchange for just one more card. Great for strong hands (like 9, 10, or 11).

Split: If you have two cards of the same value (e.g., two 8s), you can split them into two separate hands, each with its own bet.

The Dealer's Turn

Once all players have made their choices, the dealer reveals their hole card. They must hit until their hand reaches 17 or higher (depending on casino rules).

Winning and Losing:

Win: Your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s without busting. You win according to your bet amount.

Blackjack: You hit 21 with two cards (an Ace and a 10-value card). This is a bigger win than a regular win.

Push: Your hand value ties the dealer’s. You get your bet back.

Bust: Your hand value exceeds 21. You lose your bet.