Step by Step Guide to Playing Your Best Blackjack Now that have given you some easy points to keep in mind, let’s move to the Blackjack table and let’s see how to increase your win-rate. To play your best Blackjack, you need to be confident, consistent and methodic. Learn how to play blackjack game with the help of easy step-by-step video tutorial. Watch the video. Blackjack Hands. The perfect choice of when to split concerns splitting Aces and 8's. For more advice on how to play blackjack pairs and split consult the blackjack strategy for splitting pairs.

• Blackjack is an easy Casino game to play
• But you need to use a Blackjack strategy if you want to win in a long run
• The best Blackjack strategy is explained in this article

Blackjack is one of the easiest games you can find in a Casino. All you have to do is use your two cards to beat the dealer.

To win a Blackjack game, you can hit aka ask for another card, or you can stand and hope that your initial two cards are good enough.

You win if dealer’s cards go over 21 or their sum is lower than the total sum of yours.

Even if you’re a complete newbie at Blackjack and you did not understand anything of what I’ve just said, you have the chance to learn the game and get started within minutes.

But don’t let the game's simplicity fool you.

Blackjack is an easy game to play - but to win at blackjack, well - that’s a different story.

This guide is going to explain the best ways to play Blackjack. It will teach you to minimize your losses and maximize your chances to win .

So, make sure to read it from the top to the toe. Take notes when you think you should - and get ready to surprise everyone with your new amazing Blackjack skills.

Blackjack Myths

Due to its simplicity, there are lots of misconceptions about Blackjack.

So before we move to the step by step guide about how to play (and win), let’s start with something as different as 'how NOT to play Blackjack'.

99% Success at Blackjack

You will not win at Blackjack 100 percent of the times. You will not win 99 percent of the time.

And, believe me, if you think that you can find a system that is going to let you leave the Blackjack table with a victory in your pocket after 90 percent of your games, you are definitely on the perfect road…to get flat broke.

What you can do, is to find some spots and use them to your advantage.

Do it often, and you will be surprised by the money you will bring home. Do it wrong, and…well, you probably already know what happens, don’t you?

Blackjack Isn’t Always The Same Game

If you are new to the game, you may not know that Blackjack has dozens of variants.

Games differ on the number of decks used, forced dealer stand on soft 17 or 16, and a few other aspects.

Let’s get one thing straight. This guide applies best to European Blackjack. Among many other variants, you can play European Blackjack for real money (or free) at this online Casino.

European BlackjackEuropean Blackjack Gold SeriesHiLo'13 European Blackjack

(Don’t) Listen to Your Gut

You feel you will win. You feel this time the Jack is coming. You feel it’s now or never.

Well - guess what? You have just lost your money.

Don’t listen to your feelings when you sit at the Blackjack table. Instead, find a strategy, get a system, and stick to it.

True, it will take a while until you’ll master the right strategy. But that’s why you should always be sharp and ready to take notes as you play.

The Insurance

Regardless of what you think and what you feel (see above), you should never take the insurance.

Yes, it may have worked fine for the guy who sits next to you. But you don’t know how much money he has already left on the table because of the insurance side bet.

If there’s one truth about Blackjack, it's that the insurance is always a bad bet. Don’t take it.

Step by Step Guide to Playing Your Best Blackjack

Now that have given you some easy points to keep in mind, let’s move to the Blackjack table and let’s see how to increase your win-rate.

To play your best Blackjack, you need to be confident, consistent and methodic.

When you sit down, make sure that you feel good and (possibly) that you haven’t drunk even a tiny drop of alcohol, as you are going to need a very sharp mind to succeed.

How to Play to Win at Online Blackjack

To win at Blackjack, the first thing that you need to know is how to deal with the most common scenarios that can happen in a hand of Blackjack.

Based on the information you have (the dealer’s card and your own cards) you need to decide whether you should hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender.

Luckily, there’s a handy cheat sheet with all common situations and suggested moves according to the Blackjack basic strategy.

It’s based on Blackjack odds and chances of winnings and is made to reduce the house edge to the minimum.

Keep it by your side while you play.

You will not be allowed to do so in a live Casino but, hey, if you play from the comfort of your home…no one can tell you what to do, right?

Hard totals
Dealer's card >	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
Player hand
17–20	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	SU	SU	SU
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	SU	H
13–14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
11	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H
10	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H
9	H	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
5–8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft totals
Dealer's card >	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,8–A,9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A,7	S	Ds	Ds	Ds	Ds	S	S	H	H	H
A,6	H	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
A,4–A,5	H	H	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
A,2–A,3	H	H	H	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
Pairs
Dealer's card >	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,A	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
10,10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9,9	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	S	SP	SP	S	S
8,8	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
7,7	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
6,6	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
5,5	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H
4,4	H	H	H	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
2,2–3,3	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H

Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)

Blackjack Betting Patterns

Betting the same amount every hand is a viable option - especially if you are new to Blackjack and don’t want to confuse yourself too much.

Yet, once you feel that you are starting to understand what to do with different hands, start to consider to head to step two.

What’s step two?

When you size your bet, consider the outcome of your previous hand.

Changing your bet sizes allows you to get the most out of winning streaks as well as to minimize your losses during the losing ones.

You can choose to be an aggressive player or a conservative one. Choose the style that best fits your approach (and your roll), and stick to it.

The Conservative Approach

This betting pattern is built to maximize your winnings.

According to the conservative approach - every time you win a hand, you should raise your bet and play again.

The key to surviving with this approach and making sure you survive even to the longest losing streak is to always play by your bankroll - and never bet money you can’t afford to lose.

The Aggressive Approach

If you think that the “conservative” approach looks rather hazardous, that’s because you don’t know the “aggressive” one yet.

Essentially based on the Martingale system, the aggressive approach invites you to double the size of your bet…every time you lose.

Sure, here the risk to lose some significant amount of money is pretty high, but all you need to do to close with a nice profit is to only win one hand. Nothing more than one hand.

My advice, however, is to take the conservative approach and to raise your bet only when you win, not when you lose.

Here’s another handy cheat sheet to help you with your bets. Use it together with the one above, and your winning odds will increase tenfold!

First Round:
Bet	Outcome	Total	Next Bet
Hand 1	1	W	+1
Another Round:
Bet	Outcome	Total	Next Bet
Hand 1	1	L	-1	1
Hand 2	1	L	-2	1
Hand 3	1	W	-1	2
Hand 4	2	W	+1	Round finish.

So, here it is.

1. Make sure you have your strategy chart next to you
2. Choose your bet size based on the outcome of the previous hand

Don't Miss Out on The Bonuses

Casino bonuses and promotions are as important as the best Blackjack strategy, seen that they give you the opportunity to play for free.

Take a look at this online Casino, for example.

It gives you a huge boost to your bankroll.

It’s enough extra money to try both conservative and aggressive approach to betting and to practice Blackjack strategy on a couple of different European Blackjack platforms.

After all, practice makes perfect. And Casino bonuses allow you to do exactly that.

Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That’s what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!

On the surface, blackjack may look like a simple card game. That’s partially true, and accessibility is a big reason for blackjack’s widespread popularity. But beneath the baseline rules of the game, learning how to play blackjack is important. It is a nuanced and complex gaming experience that both welcomes beginners and challenges skilled players to continuously improve.

You can play blackjack online for free almost anywhere, for real money online in some jurisdictions, and at casinos and card rooms. No matter where you play, it’s incredibly helpful to have a firm grasp on how blackjack works.

How To Play Blackjack

When you play blackjack, your overarching goal is to beat the dealer. Even though you aren’t trying to beat the other players at your table (whether virtual or real), it’s important to watch what they do. Your decisions can affect their game and vice versa.

To beat the dealer, you want to get a hand worth 21 points or as close to it as possible without going over. If your hand totals more than 21, that’s called a bust and you automatically lose your bet.

Playing Blackjack Step By Step

In blackjack, one round of play is considered a hand. You place a bet on each hand and attempt to beat the dealer. Here’s how a hand plays out.

Step 1: Bets Are Placed Cards Are Dealt

First, each player places bets. The main bet in blackjack is on yourself to beat the dealer. Sometimes side bets are available, but the chances of winning are very low and give more advantage to the house.

Next, the dealer will hand out two cards to each player at the table. All player cards will be face-up, but the dealer will have one card face up and one face down. This gives the casino an edge in the game.

Once you have your cards, add up the points based on each card’s value (we have a table for this below). This will help you determine what action you should take on your turn.

Step 2: Player Action

Once hands are dealt, each player takes a turn deciding what to do next based on the value of their cards. Your options are usually: hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender. We’ll define each of these actions below.

Hit and stand are the two most common actions. If you hit, it means you receive another card in an attempt to get closer to 21. If you stand, it means you keep your hand as is.

Step 3: Dealer Action And Wins Paid

For the final step, the dealer flips his face down card and either hits or stands based on the rules of that specific table. Some tables, for example, require a dealer to draw another card if their hand totals less than 16. These rules vary slightly depending on where you’re playing.

Bets are then paid based on each player’s hand in relation to the dealer’s total. If you’re closer to 21 than the dealer, you win. If you tie, it’s a push, and if you lose, you forfeit your bet.

Blackjack Card Values

In blackjack, each card has a specific point value that you use to calculate the value of your hand. This table lays out the value of each individual card. Suits and colors don’t make a difference; blackjack is purely about the numeric value of each card.

Card	Blackjack Point Value
2-9	2-9
10	10
Jack	10
Queen	10
King	10
Ace	1 or 11

As you can see, card values are pretty straightforward. 2s through 10s are worth face value, face cards are all worth 10, and aces can be either 1 or 11. When you’re dealt an ace, you choose which value to use, and it can change mid-hand based on new cards you receive.

Blackjack Payouts

A blackjack occurs when you hit 21 points with the two cards the dealer first gave you (one card worth 10 points plus an ace). When you hit blackjack, you automatically get paid the amount of your bet plus a bonus (unless the dealer also hits blackjack, which then results in a push).

Blackjack typically pays 3 to 2, which means that you’ll get paid the amount of your bet plus half, or 1.5 times your bet. As an example, if you bet $10 and get blackjack, you’ll win $15.

Some casinos and sites offer tables that pay 6 to 5 when you hit blackjack. Essentially, this means you get paid less for every blackjack you hit. On a $10 bet where you hit blackjack, you’d receive $12 instead of the $15 a 3:2 table would give you.

To maximize your potential wins, steer clear of 6:5 tables. They feature the exact same game rules but pay you less on a blackjack.

Important Blackjack Terms

Term	What It Means
Hand	Can refer to your specific cards as a set or one “round” of play in blackjack.
Stand	Keep your hand as is and receive no additional card.
Hit	Receive another card.
Split	If you are dealt two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands (placing an additional bet in the process) and play them as though you were dealt two hands.
Double down	Double your bet to receive exactly one extra card from the dealer.
Even money	Offered to a player with blackjack when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. An even money bet means the player is guaranteed a 1:1 payout on blackjack instead of a push (if the dealer has blackjack) or a full payout (if the dealer doesn’t have blackjack).
Bust	A bust occurs when a hand totals more than 21 points. The dealer or any blackjack player can bust.
Upcard	The dealer’s face-up card.
Hole card	The dealer’s face-down card.
Surrender	Give up your hand after the initial cards are dealt and receive half of your bet back. This is a rare option offered by few blackjack tables.
Insurance	Offered to a player without blackjack when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Insurance is a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player loses the side bet.

Five Options When Playing Hands Of Blackjack

When it’s your turn to take action in blackjack, you usually have up to five options, depending on your hand.

Hit

If you hit, it means you’re asking the dealer for another card. Typically this means your two initial cards are fairly low in value and you want to get closer to 21. If your initial hand totals lower than 17, you’ll often want to hit. It’s usually advisable to hit until you have a hand totaling 17-21 to give yourself a chance to beat the dealer. However, there are some scenarios where standing on a total of 12 can be beneficial.

You can hit as many times as you’d like until you’re happy with your hand or you bust.

Stand

When you stand, you keep your hand as is without taking any new cards or additional actions. Standing is usually best when your initial hand totals 17 through 21, especially if the dealer’s upcard is a 2, 3, 4, or 5. Many strategic players like to assume the dealer’s face-down card is a 10 and make choices based on that assumption. If the dealer’s upcard is a low-value card, there’s a higher chance they’ll draw a 10 and bust.

Double Down

If your initial hand totals 9, 10, or 11, then you may choose to Double Down. This means you double your wager (place another bet equal to your first one) to receive exactly one card. You won’t be able to hit again after receiving the extra card.

If you win on a double down hand, you win both bets. If you lose the hand, you lose both bets. It’s a high-risk high reward strategy that’s best used when the dealer’s upcard gives them a chance to bust.

Split

If you receive two cards with the same value (two 8s, two 9s, etc.), you may choose to split. This separates each card into the beginning of a new hand, and you must place another bet equal to your first. You then play each hand one at a time as you normally would, hitting or standing as you see fit. If you hit and receive another card of the same value, you’re allowed to split again.

Each hand is paid individually based on whether or not it beats the dealer’s total.

How To Play Blackjack Step By Step For Beginners

Surrender

Surrender is a rare option in blackjack. If your table has a surrender option, it means you can sacrifice your initial hand and receive half of your bet back, with the other half going to the casino. Think of it as “folding” your hand.

Blackjack Strategy

Because there are so many possible outcomes in a game of blackjack, there are various scenarios in which a player can win, lose, or push.

You, the player, win if:

• You hit blackjack and the dealer does not
• Your final hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s
• The dealer busts and you do not

You and the dealer push if:

• Your final hands total the same point value
• You both hit blackjack

You lose if:

• The dealer hits blackjack and you do not
• The dealer’s final hand is closer to 21 than yours
• You bust

Naturally, blackjack players use a lot of intricate strategies. But there is some conventional wisdom for newcomers or beginning players on what to do and when.

When To Hit Or Stand

Most players like to assume the dealer’s face-down card is always a 10 and work from there. For example, if the dealer’s upcard is an 8, you would assume they have a total of 18. Most blackjack tables require the dealer to hit on anything below a 16, but the dealer doesn’t take action until every player has taken their turn, so assuming a total is necessary for strategic gameplay.

It’s usually smart to hitif:

• The dealer’s upcard is a 7-10 or an ace and your hand totals lower than 15
• Your hand total is lower than 17

Your goal is to reach 21 or as close to it as possible, so hit with that in mind.

It’s typically good to stand if:

• Your initial hand totals 17 or higher
• The dealer has a solid chance to bust (upcard of 2-5)

In some cases, it makes sense to stand on a low-value hand and hope for the dealer to bust.

For a more detailed strategy overview, head to our Blackjack Strategy guide.

Where To Play Blackjack Online

There are a number of different ways you can play blackjack online.

Free To Play Blackjack

Free blackjack is accessible anywhere you can get an internet connection and is legal across the US. There’s no real money involved in any capacity, and it’s a great way to get more familiar with the game.

Our free blackjack guide has two games right here on our website. The first one is single-player and allows you to play up to three hands at once. You can get a feel for the game and how one player’s choice can affect other players’ hands.

How To Play Blackjack Step By Step Ladder

The second game allows you in play with up to two friends, adding a social element to the mix.

Sweepstakes Blackjack

You can play sweepstakes blackjack at any state in the US except for Washington. At sweepstakes sites, you purchase in-game currency and use that to play casino games. Chumba Casino is the most popular sweepstakes casino, and it has a blackjack game. Sweepstakes sites also give you a chance to win cash prizes.

Real Money Casino Blackjack

New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania currently have legal and live real money online blackjack. You can place bets and play against real players. You bet with real money and have a chance to win, too. Real money online blackjack brings the casino experience to the digital space.

Some online casinos even have live dealer blackjack games, where a real dealer doles out cards via live stream and the computer settles hands and bets. Check out the liver dealer games at DraftKings Casino or BetMGM depending on what state you are in. They offer real money online blackjack and live dealer games.

Types Of Blackjack Games

Thanks to its popularity, blackjack has spawned a number of spin-off games and variants that bring fresh concepts into the mix.

Atlantic City Blackjack

In Atlantic City Blackjack, players can double down on any two cards. Plus, the dealer always checks for blackjack if their upcard is an ace. That way, players don’t risk doubling down on a dealer blackjack.

European Blackjack

In standard blackjack, the dealer is dealt two cards: one face-up (upcard) and one face-down (hole card). European blackjack changes that rule; the dealer does not receive a hole card. Instead, the dealer receives a second card only after all players have taken their turns. This is a risky variant because players have a chance to up their bet (by splitting or doubling down) before knowing whether the dealer hits a blackjack.

How To Play Blackjack Step By Step Dad

Blackjack Switch

In Blackjack Switch, each player is dealt two hands instead of one. Players can switch the top card between the hands if they wish. Because of this player advantage, if the dealer hits a 22, all hands push except a natural blackjack (a blackjack dealt before a switch). The switch element adds new strategic layers to the game, making it a great choice for experienced players.

How To Play Blackjack – Common Questions

How old do I have to be to play blackjack in the US?

To play blackjack for real money, either at a legal online site or at a land-based casino, you need to be 21 or older. At some tribal casinos in the US, it is possible to find 18+ casinos. If you’re 18 or above, you can play sweepstakes blackjack. Anyone can play free blackjack because there’s no real money involved.

Where can I learn to play blackjack for free?

We have a full page dedicated to free online blackjack. One game is single-player, and lets you hone your skills by playing up to three hands at once. The other is multi-player, so you can face off against friends to learn the game.

How To Play Blackjack Step By Step Steps

Is it legal to play blackjack online?

This depends on where you’re located. Only Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey have legal online real money blackjack.
Every state except Washington allows sweepstakes blackjack, which is completely legal. You can play sweepstakes blackjack online at Chumba Casino.
Free blackjack is accessible to anyone, but you can’t play for real money or win any cash prizes.

Where can I play blackjack for money online?

You can play at legal online casinos in New Jersey, Delaware, or Pennsylvania. A few other states have legislation in the works to allow online blackjack for real money, but they’re not live yet. Check out the online blackjack offerings at DraftKings Online Casino.
To win cash prizes, you can play at a sweepstakes casino.

How much is an Ace worth in blackjack?

In blackjack, an ace is worth either 1 point or 11 points. You assign the value based on whichever number is more advantageous to you. For example, if you have a queen and an ace, the ace would be worth 11 to give you a blackjack. If you have an ace and a 6, your hand is worth either 7 or 17 points, and you could stand with the 17 or hit for a chance at a higher total.

How To Play Blackjack Beginners

How much are face cards worth in blackjack?

Face cards are all worth 10 points in blackjack. This includes jacks, queens, and kings.
If you receive two face cards, they’re both valued at 10 points, so you could split them for a chance at two winning hands. This is risky, though, because your two face cards are worth 20 points–a solid hand especially if the dealer’s upcard is a 9 or lower.

What is insurance in blackjack?

If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, players have the option of placing an insurance bet. Insurance is a way to mitigate losses if a dealer has blackjack. If you take insurance by placing the side bet and the dealer reveals that they have blackjack, you win 2:1 on the insurance bet. If the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, you lose the side bet.