How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack looks fast at the table, but the rules are straightforward once you break them down. This guide covers card values, how the deal works, every decision you can make, how the dealer plays, and the payouts, so you can sit down and play with confidence.
Card values and the deal
Cards 2 through 10 count at face value. Jacks, Queens and Kings are each worth 10. An Ace is worth 1 or 11, whichever benefits your hand, which is why a hand with an Ace counting as 11 is called a "soft" hand. To start a round you place your bet in rand. You then receive two cards, and the dealer takes two, usually with one face up and one face down. If your first two cards are an Ace plus a ten-value card, that is a blackjack, the strongest possible hand.
Your options: hit, stand, double, split, surrender
Once you see your cards you choose how to play. Hit takes another card. Stand keeps your current total and ends your turn. Double down doubles your bet in exchange for exactly one more card, used when your hand is strong. Split turns a pair into two separate hands, each with its own bet. Some tables also offer surrender, letting you fold a weak hand and reclaim half your stake. Which choice is correct depends on your hand and the dealer's upcard, which is what our basic strategy guide is for.
Dealer rules, payouts, insurance and bust
The dealer has no choices; they follow fixed rules. The dealer hits until they reach 17 and then typically stands, though some tables require hitting a "soft 17" (a 17 made with an Ace). A winning hand pays even money (1:1), while a natural blackjack pays 3:2, so a R100 bet returns R150 in winnings. If the dealer shows an Ace, you may be offered insurance, a side bet that the dealer has blackjack. Insurance pays 2:1 but loses most of the time, so it is generally a poor bet that raises the house edge against you. Finally, if your total ever goes over 21 you bust and lose at once. Continue to the Blackjack Guide or the casino games guides, browse the wider guides library, or try a hand at live blackjack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ever take insurance?
Almost never. Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack, and over time it loses more than it pays, raising the overall house edge against you. Basic strategy advises declining insurance. It is offered because it is profitable for the casino, not for the player.
What does a blackjack pay?
A natural blackjack, an Ace plus a ten-value card on your first two cards, traditionally pays 3:2. On a R100 bet that is R150 in winnings. Watch out for tables that pay only 6:5, as they significantly increase the house edge and are worse for the player.
When can I split my cards?
You can split when your first two cards are a pair, for example two 8s. Each card becomes the start of a separate hand with its own equal bet. Splitting is a strategic move that helps in some situations and hurts in others, so follow a basic strategy chart. Players must be 18 or older.