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A Blackjack table seats approximately 6 players. 6-8 decks of cards are shuffled by a dealer and then placed in a box called a Shoe. Before receiving their cards, players must place wagers. The players are then dealt two cards face-up. The dealer receives one card face-up and one card face-down. Each player either stays or takes more cards to try to reach 21 (adding up card values) without exceeding (busting) the point total of 21. Those players who do not bust wait for the dealer’s turn. When all players are finished, the dealer flips up the down card. Rule: counts of 17 or higher, dealers stays; counts of 16 or lower, dealer draws.
• The winner beats the dealer by not busting. (If your cards total more than 21, you bust and automatically lose).
• The winner has the closest to 21.
• The winner has a 10, or a Face and an Ace, for a total of 21, in their first two cards. This is called Blackjack.
• Blackjack nets you one and a half times your bet—unless the dealer also has Blackjack. When there is a push or a tie (a stand-off) you get your bet back.
• Remaining players with higher counts than the dealer win amounts equal to their bets.
• If the dealer busts, all remaining players win. Players with a lower count than the dealer lose their bet. Insurance: Place a side-bet up to half the initial bet against the dealer having a natural 21. This is only allowed when the dealer's showing card is an Ace. When the dealer has a 10 face-down and makes a Blackjack, insurance pays at 2-1 odds (but loses if the dealer does not).
Surrender: You give up your hand and lose only half the bet.
Early Surrender: Surrender is allowed before the dealer checks for Blackjack.
Late Surrender: The dealer checks to see if he has Blackjack. If he has Blackjack, surrender is not allowed.
Double-Down: You can double your initial bet following the initial two-card deal, but you can hit one card only. This is a good move if you are in a strong situation.
Even Money: You can cash in your bet at a 1:1 payout ratio when you are dealt a natural Blackjack and when the dealer's showing card is an Ace.
Split Hand: You split the initial two-card hand into two and play them separately. This is only allowed when your first two cards are of equal value. You can use each card as the start to a separate hand and then place a second bet equal to the first.
Hard Hand: You can value an Ace as 1 or 11 to suit you; however, a hand without an Ace, or with an Ace valued at 1 is said to be Hard because it can only be given one value.
Soft Hand: A Soft hand, on the other hand, is a hand that holds an Ace that is counted as 11. • The House advantage is approximate and may vary with different rules
7% average—without basic strategy
0.5% or less—with basic strategy
Card counting can reverse the advantage up to 1% to the player
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Blackjack Rules