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Blackjack Rules

Introduction

In Blackjack once you have received your two cards you can decide what to do; hit, stand, double down or split. What you choose to do depends not only on your cards but on the dealer's up card. Learn when to hit and when to stand from our Blackjack Strategy Sheet.

Hit        - Draw (take) another card.
Stand    - Keep the cards you have.

The Blackjack dealer must take a card if they have 16 or under. If their total is 17 or over they must stand, unless it is a SOFT 17 - this is with an ace where it can count as 1 or 11.  The dealer's ability to stand on soft 17's will vary from casino to casino and should be noted before you start to play blackjack.

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If the Blackjack dealer's total exceeds 21 they have bust and you automatically win.

An Ace when combined with a 10 or higher as part of the initial two cards is called a Blackjack. In all circumstances other than when the dealer has blackjack as well, you will collect 1.5 times your original bet. If the dealer has blackjack as well it is a push (draw).

Insurance can be offered to player's when the dealer's up card is an Ace. Generally this is not a good bet to take as there is a better chance of the dealer having to stand on 17 to 20 than getting blackjack. Insurance bets are for half your original bet and pay 2 to 1.

Things you need to know about Blackjack

How do I win at Blackjack?

Blackjack (an Ace and 10 or Ace & Face Card) dealt with the first two cards or Closest to 21 wins - without going over.

What else do I need to know about Blackjack?

The following are also key to a successful and profitable stay at a blackjack table.

Double Down

The term used for doubling your bet on your first two cards by purchasing  a single additional card. Normally only recommended when your hand is between 9 or 11, because you can't bust. See the  Basic Blackjack Strategy guide below.

Splitting

If your original two cards are a pair you can, for a bet equal to your first, split the cards; the dealer will deal with each hand separately. Play each hand as normal. Split Aces receive only one additional card per hand.

Insurance

If the dealer's face up card is an Ace, they will offer Insurance before looking at their second card. This is an additional side bet you make for half of your original bet. You are betting that the Dealer has Blackjack. Insurance pays at 2 to 1 but is not a good bet to make due to the odds. Don't do it!

Blackjack example hand

Dealer showing 8, your hand is a Jack & five (15). The Basic strategy recommends that you Hit on the assumption that the dealer has 18.

Remember casinos generally make up to  four times more than they should at blackjack when players do not follow the basic blackjack strategy.