Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, and it’s much easier to learn than people let on. You can easily start playing 21 within a few minutes once you understand the core rules.
We’ll show you how to play blackjack online as well as provide some additional tips for understanding basic strategy, side bets, and popular game variants. Plus, we’ll show you where to use your newfound skills to play blackjack online.
Getting started with blackjack is super simple once you understand a few basic rules. The goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without exceeding it. You compete against the dealer, not other players.
The cards are valued like this:
Number cards (2-10): Face value
Face cards (King, Queen, Jack): 10 points
Ace: 1 or 11 points, whichever benefits your hand more
Here’s a simple look at how to play blackjack:
Step 01
Step 1: Place Your Bet
To start the game, you place your bet in the designated betting area on the table. Bets can range from $1 minimum to well over $1,000. Each table will have different limits, but we’d recommend starting with a low wager, $1-$2.
Step 02
Step 2: Cards are Dealt
Each player, including the dealer, is dealt two cards:
Players: Receive their cards face-up.
Dealer: One card is face-up (the “up card”) and the other is face-down (the “hole card”).
Step 03
Step 3: Evaluate Your Hand
Add up the value of your cards and decide your next move. If your initial hand totals 21 (an Ace + a 10-value card), congratulations—you have a blackjack! If the dealer doesn’t also have blackjack, you win instantly.
Step 04
Step 4: Decide Your Next Move
After reviewing your hand and the dealer’s up card, you’ll choose one of the following actions:
Hit: Request an additional card. Use this option if you believe a new card can improve your hand without exceeding 21. You can continue hitting until you either stand or bust (exceed 21).
Stand: Keep your current hand. Choose this option when you’re satisfied with your total or don’t want to risk going over 21.
Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive only one more card. This option is typically used when your hand has a good chance of beating the dealer’s (e.g., a total of 10 or 11).
Split: If your first two cards are of the same rank (e.g., two 8s), you can split them into two separate hands. You’ll place an additional bet equal to your original wager for the second hand.
Surrender (if allowed): Forfeit half your bet and end your turn if you believe your hand has little chance of winning.
Step 05
Step 5: Dealer’s Turn
Once all players have finished their actions, the dealer reveals their hole card. The dealer must follow strict rules:
The dealer must hit if their total is 16 or less or a “soft 17” (a hand with an Ace counted as 11).
The dealer must stand on a total of 17 or higher.
Step 06
Step 6: A Winner is Decided
After the dealer completes their turn, hands are compared:
Player Wins: Your total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s or the dealer busts.
Dealer Wins: The dealer’s total is closer to 21 than yours or you bust.
Push: Your total equals the dealer’s total. Your bet is returned.
If you win, the dealer pays out your winnings according to the table rules (e.g., blackjack typically pays 3:2).
Learning basic blackjack strategy is the best thing you can do to improve your chances of success. This is the optimal strategy that shows you how to play every hand dealt to you based solely on your cards and the dealer’s up card. Basic blackjack strategy minimizes the house edge and maximizes your chance of winning.
Here’s a quick summary of the key components of basic blackjack strategy.
When to Hit or Stand
Hit when your hand total is low (usually 11 or less) since you cannot bust by taking one more card.
Stand on higher totals (usually 17 or more) where the risk of busting is high.
When to Double Down
Double down on totals of 9, 10, or 11 when the dealer has a weaker upcard (typically 6 or below), as the chances of achieving a high total are good.
When to Split Pairs
Always split Aces and 8s.
Never split 10s or 5s.
Split 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, and 9s only when the dealer has specific weaker upcards.
When to Surrender
Surrender 16 if the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.
Surrender 15 if the dealer shows a 10.
This option is only available in some games.
Adjustments Based on the Dealer’s Upcard
Be more cautious (stand more often) when the dealer shows a high upcard (7 through Ace).
Be more aggressive (hit more often) when the dealer shows a low upcard (2 through 6), as the dealer has a higher chance of busting.
Soft Hands (Hands with an Ace)
Always hit on soft 17 or less.
Stand on soft 19 or more.
Soft 18 is situational: stand when the dealer shows a low card (2 through 8), hit or double down when the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.
When you use this strategy, you can be sure you’re playing with the best odds in the casino. Screenshot or memorize the following chart to know what to do in each situation.
There are lots of different types of blackjack games. As live dealer blackjack games take off, there are even more with every passing year. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular blackjack variants and how they work.
Single-Deck Blackjack
Single deck blackjack uses one 52-card deck instead of the six or eight deck shoes common with other blackjack variants. Because of the lower card count, single deck has an RTP around 99.8%. But, casinos often counteract this high RTP by offering 6:5 odds instead of 3:2.
This is a blackjack variant with all the 10 cards removed. This makes it more difficult to achieve natural blackjack, but there are other player-friendly rules to balance it out. For example, the player’s blackjack always bets the dealer’s, and there’s an option to surrender late.
This is a classic blackjack variant with a potentially lucrative side bet. Pairs with different colors and suits pay 5:1, pairs with different colors and the same suit pay 10:1, and pairs with both the same colors and suits pay 30:1.
Typical European Blackjack uses between 2-4 decks and only allows the player to double down on 9, 10, or 11. Plus, European 21 only allows the player to split once, for two hands. American Blackjack (or just “blackjack”) allows up to four hands.
In this game, you can start with two hands and two bets. You can switch cards from one hand to the other. There are a couple of catches, though: the dealer can push on 22 instead of going bust, and natural blackjack pays even money instead of 3:2.
Side wagers are any additional bet you place outside of the ante on your hand. For instance, you can bet on any hand having a pair or the dealer having a natural blackjack. These bets payout regardless of whether your hand wins or loses that round.
Side wagers are not to be confused with additional bets you can make on your own hand. Doubling down, for example, is not a side wager because you still need to win that round to win your bet.
Here’s a look at some of the common blackjack side bets you’ll find:
Blackjack Insurance Bet
The most common side wager in blackjack is the insurance bet. This wager “protects” the player against the dealer having a natural. It is only available when the dealer is showing an ace as their face-up card.
To win this bet, the dealer has to have a 10-point card as their face-down card, giving them a natural blackjack. When this happens, you are rewarded with a 2:1 payout.
Perfect Pairs
Another common blackjack side bet is the perfect pairs wager. This side bet is won or lost based on the first two cards dealt to the player.
When you make a perfect pairs wager, you are betting on the first two cards in your hand being a pair. Any other outcome and your bet losses. The more “perfect” your pairs, the better your payout odds with this side bet.
Mixed pairs = 6:1 odds
Colored pairs = 12:1 odds
Perfect pairs = 25:1 odds
Super 7
This wager, as the name implies, pays based on the number of sevens that you are dealt.
You are typically only allowed to wager $1 on a Super 7 side wager. Despite its low betting limits, this wager still offers the chance to win huge cash prizes. The number of sevens that appear and their suits will determine your payout.
First card dealt is a 7 = 3:1 odds
First two cards are 7s = 50:1 odds
First two cards are 7s of the same suit = 100:1 odds
First three cards dealt are 7s = 500:1 odds
First three cards dealt are 7s of the same suit = 5000:1 odds
Almost every brick-and-mortar casino on earth has a blackjack table. While you can play at these, there are plenty of online options, and in most cases, playing online is a better deal. More variants, blackjack bonuses, low table minimums, and comfort and convenience all make it better.
Classic blackjack is the best for beginners. It has the simplest rules and is ideal for learning basic strategy. Once you start playing other variants, there are secondary rules to follow, and that complicates things. Start by mastering the classic blackjack variant and build from there.
Some blackjack games let you play more than one hand at a time, known as multi-hand or simultaneous hands. On the upside, you have an edge over the casino because you’re playing more hands per hour, and if you’re using basic strategy, you can earn more per hour. But, you’re less likely to see a lucky winning streak based on short-term variance. For beginner’s I’d recommend sticking with a single hand until you’re comfortable with basic strategy.
Side bets are typically not recommended for beginners or budget-conscious players. There are some strategies you can use to make money betting on side bets, but for the most part, they favor the house and aren’t worth it for casual players.
Please Gamble Responsibly
Gambling addiction can ruin lives. Please gamble responsibly, and if you or someone you care about has lost control, utilize the following resources to get help.
So, now you know how to play blackjack online and where to do so. You also have an informed view of the different variants and their pros and cons.
Playing blackjack is fun, and it’s one of the few casino games that involves skill as well as luck. Unlike many other games, you can get better at blackjack and improve the odds and probability of winning.
Take advantage of some of the bonuses and promos above to play blackjack online today. Have fun, and remember that blackjack is entertainment, not necessarily a reliable way to make money.
I’m Gavin Lucas, a gambling enthusiast with a particular love for video slots and live casino games. I have been writing about gambling online since 2015, and am always keen to try new games as soon as they’re released.
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