A Detailed Overview of Blackjack Rules for Beginners
Rules of casino games are generally not complicated to comprehend: you can learn the rules of most table and dice games in a matter of days or even hours. Evidently, some are easier to grasp than others, and among them, blackjack rules carry the day.
The objective of blackjack is not to exceed 21. That’s it. You’re good as long as you’re as close as possible to 21, but never over. Essentially, this is all you need to know to engage in a blackjack game; winning is another thing, but today, we won’t be discussing how to win. Instead, we will lay out the rules of blackjack in the most straightforward and digestible way, so you can use them as a quick reminder when starting to play twenty-one.
Now let’s get down to business!
Objective of the Game
Let’s start with the basics of the basics. Whether playing in a casino or online blackjack, the goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding a total card value of 21, hence the other name of blackjack, twenty-one.
If a player’s hand exceeds 21, they go “bust” and automatically lose. If, on the other hand, a player scores a hand value of 21 with the first two cards (an Ace and a card worth 10), they have a “blackjack” and win instantly, unless the dealer also has twenty-one.
Cards and Card Values
The next thing to know about the rules of blackjack are the card values, and let us start by saying these are equally easy to memorise:
Numbered cards (2-10): The value of numbered cards is the same as their face value. For example, a 2 of clubs, diamonds, etc., is worth 2 points; a 5 of diamonds is worth 5 points, and so on.
Face cards, aka Jacks, Queens, and Kings, are all worth 10 points each. Regardless of the suit, say, a Jack of any suit is valued at 10 points.
Ace: Ace is the strongest card in blackjack simply because it can hold 1 or 11 points.
Blackjack Rules: Order of Operations
Now let’s go over the sequence of actions in blackjack, otherwise known as the order of operations. Basically, the order of operations explains the game flow and is essential when learning blackjack card game rules. Typically, a game of blackjack will follow these stages and steps:
Betting Phase
In blackjack, players are called to place their bets before the cards are dealt. If you’re playing at a casino, you will be asked to place your chips in the designated betting area on the blackjack table.
Dealing Phase
Next comes the dealing. The dealer distributes the initial two cards to the players and themselves; usually, the player’s cards are dealt face-up, and the dealer’s two cards are placed face-up and face-down each.
Player Actions
It’s decision time! Now, you and your fellow players decide whether you want another card or are happy with what you already got. When asked, you can hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender. We elaborated on these in our post about blackjack tips, so once you learn the basics, you can proceed to pick these up.
Dealer’s Action
Once all players have completed their actions, the croupier reveals their face-down card and follows the rules for playing their hand.
Hand Comparison
At this stage, the dealer’s hand is compared to each player’s to determine the winner(s).
Once the payouts are settled, a new round can begin with players placing bets again, and the process continues cyclically.
Blackjack Rules: All the Possibilities
Let’s quickly guide you through all the possibilities in blackjack, the preparation of the game, the types of bets, etc., so you can understand what are the rules of blackjack and practise your blackjack basic strategy.
Betting
In blackjack, placing bets comes first. The players are invited to place their wagers in the designated area of the table, followed by card dealing. Each table has a minimum and maximum bet limit, which players must adhere to.
Shuffle and Cut
Shuffle and cut are essential steps in the preparation of a blackjack deck:
Shuffling refers to mixing the cards in the deck to ensure randomness and fairness. It prevents any predictability or bias in the card distribution.
After shuffling, the deck is cut, which involves dividing the deck into two parts. A player is typically allowed to cut the deck, where they insert a cut card to indicate where the dealer will stop dealing.
Shuffling and cutting are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that each hand is dealt and randomly.
Dealing
Dealing in blackjack follows a specific process:
- Bets: Players place their bets before the dealing begins.
- Initial Cards: The dealer distributes two cards to each player and two to themselves.
- Player Actions: Starting from the player on the dealer’s left, each player decides whether to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender based on their hand’s value and the dealer’s visible card.
- Dealer’s Turn: Once all players have completed their actions, the dealer reveals their face-down card and follows a predetermined set of rules. The dealer typically hits until reaching a specific point total (e.g., 17 or higher) and stands afterward.
- Hand Comparison: The dealer compares their hand to each player’s to determine the winners. Payouts are made accordingly.
The dealing process repeats for each round of the game, with players placing bets, cards being dealt, player actions taken, and the dealer playing their hand until the outcome is determined.
Naturals
A “natural” refers to a hand combination that instantly wins the round for the player, usually resulting in a higher payout. A natural occurs when a player or the dealer is dealt an Ace and a card worth 10 points (10, Jack, Queen, or King) as their initial two cards. This combination totals 21 and is known as a “blackjack” or a “natural blackjack.”
Hit or Stand
“Hit” and “stand” are two primary options available to players in blackjack to make decisions regarding their hand:
- When players choose to hit, they request an additional card from the dealer. The player can continue to hit until they decide to stand, achieve a desired hand value, or exceed 21 points (bust).
- When players decide to stand, they choose not to take any more cards and keep their current hand.
Deciding whether to hit or stand is based on the player’s assessment of their hand’s value, the dealer’s visible card, and their strategic judgement to reach a hand value closer to 21 without exceeding it while considering the risk of busting.
Splitting
Splitting is an option available to players in blackjack when they are dealt a pair of cards of the same rank, such as two 8s or two Queens. By choosing to split, the player divides the pair into two separate hands and places an additional bet equal to their original bet. Each hand is then played independently. The dealer provides an additional card to each split hand, allowing the player to play them individually.
Splitting offers the opportunity to create two potentially stronger hands and increase the chances of winning. Some blackjack variations allow players to re-split if they are dealt another pair during the split.
Double Down
In blackjack, “double down” is an option that allows players to increase their initial bet by up to 100% in exchange for receiving one additional card. This option is typically available after the player receives their first two cards. By doubling down, players show confidence in the strength of their hands. It is commonly done when the player’s hand total is 9, 10, or 11. After doubling down, the player receives one more card, and their turn ends. The double-down option can potentially increase winnings when the player believes they have a strong chance of beating the dealer’s hand.
Reshuffling
Reshuffling in blackjack refers to mixing the cards in the deck again after a certain number of rounds or when a specific condition is met. Reshuffling is done to ensure fairness and randomness in the card distribution. Card reshuffling eliminates any predictability or patterns that might have emerged. This prevents players from gaining an advantage by tracking the cards already played. The exact point at which reshuffling occurs can vary depending on the casino or table rules, helping to maintain the game’s integrity and ensuring that each hand is dealt from a properly randomised deck.
Insurance
Insurance is an optional side bet offered when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace. Players can then make an insurance bet, typically half the amount of their original bet. The purpose of insurance is to protect against the possibility of the dealer having a blackjack because if they do, the insurance bet payout ratio is 2:1, effectively allowing the player to break even on the hand. However, if the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack, the insurance bet is lost, and the main hand is played as usual.
Payouts
In blackjack, payouts are determined based on the outcome of the round and the specific rules of the casino or blackjack variant being played. Here are the general principles of payouts:
- Winning Hand. If the player’s hand value is higher than the dealer’s hand value without exceeding 21, the player wins and receives a payout. The typical payout for a winning hand is 1:1, meaning the player receives an amount equal to their original bet.
- Blackjack/Natural. If the player has a blackjack (an Ace and a 10-value card) as their initial two cards, they usually receive a higher payout, commonly 3:2.
- Push/Tie. When the player’s and dealer’s hands have the same value, it’s called a push. In this case, the player’s bet is returned, and there is no gain or loss.
Be aware that specific payout rules may vary based on the casino and blackjack variant you are playing, so it’s important to understand the game’s specific rules before placing bets.
Are There Any Special Rules for Splitting or Doubling Down?
Yes, the rules of blackjack stipulate specific guidelines for splitting and doubling down. Some standard rules and variations include:
Splitting
Re-splitting: Some variants of blackjack allow players to split their hands again if they receive another pair after the initial split, allowing the creation of multiple hands from a single pair.
Splitting Aces: In many variants, splitting Aces is allowed, but typically, players receive only one additional card for each Ace. Once split, if a player receives a 10-value card on either Ace, it’s considered 21 and not blackjack.
Doubling Down
Double down after splitting: Some games allow players to double down on each hand created by splitting, while others restrict doubling down to the original hand only.
Double Down Total: Depending on the game, players may be allowed to double down on any two initial cards or only on specific total values like 9, 10, or 11.
While the basic concept of splitting and doubling down remains consistent, specific rules can vary depending on the casino or blackjack variant.
What Is the Procedure for Resolving a Tie?
A tie occurs when the player and the dealer have the same hand value. In case of a “push,” another term for a tie, the player’s bet is returned. No winnings or losses are incurred, and a new round begins.
How Many Decks of Cards Are Used in Blackjack?
The number of decks used in blackjack can vary depending on the casino and the specific blackjack variant being played. However, the most common practice is using multiple card decks, typically between 4 and 8 decks. Using multiple decks helps increase the difficulty of card counting and adds to the game’s randomness. The exact number of decks being used is typically displayed on the blackjack table or mentioned in the game rules of the specific casino or online platform.
How Can Understanding Blackjack Rules Help You?
Understanding blackjack rules is crucial for building a solid foundation to play the game effectively. Knowing the rules can help you make informed decisions: should you hit, stand, split, or double down?
When you know all the rules, you will also understand the payouts and navigate special rules like insurance to avoid common mistakes and maximise your profits. Once familiar with the basic rules, you can proceed confidently to betting and making the most of your time at the table.
Of course, you can turn to us for unrivalled tips and tricks, such as the ones we compiled in our ultimate blackjack guide, so make sure you get on board!
