Free Blackjack / How to play the 21 card game
How to play the 21 card game
21 is the card game also called blackjack. You play against the dealer: get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's without going over. Number cards count their number, face cards count 10, and an ace counts 1 or 11.
21 in one minute
- Everyone bets.
- You get two cards face up. The dealer gets one face up and one face down.
- Take more cards (hit) or keep your total (stand). Go over 21 and you lose.
- The dealer turns over the face-down card and must hit until 17 or more.
- Closer to 21 wins. A tie is a push: your bet comes back.
Card values
| Card | Counts |
|---|---|
| 2 to 10 | Its number |
| Jack, queen, king | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11, whichever helps |
An ace with a 10, jack, queen or king as your first two cards is a blackjack, the best hand. It pays 3 to 2. More on card values.
More moves
- Double down: double your bet on your first two cards and take exactly one more card.
- Split: turn a pair into two hands, with a second bet.
- Insurance: a side bet when the dealer shows an ace. Skip it. Why.
21 at home
Use one deck, chips or candy for bets, and rotate the dealer. Agree before the first hand whether the dealer wins ties. In the casino game, ties push. House rules for a home game.
Is 21 the same as blackjack?
Yes. Twenty-one is the older name. Blackjack, 21 and poker compared.
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Questions
Is 21 the same as blackjack?
Yes. 21 is another name for blackjack.
What is the goal in 21?
Get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's without going over.
What happens if you tie in 21?
In the casino game it's a push and you keep your bet. Some home games give ties to the dealer.
How many cards do you get in 21?
Two to start. You can take as many more as you want until you stand or go over 21.
More: Blackjack rules · How to play blackjack · Card values in blackjack · How to deal blackjack · Blackjack odds and payouts · Blackjack insurance · Soft 17 in blackjack · Blackjack terms · Blackjack hand signals · When to hit or stand in blackjack · When to double down in blackjack · When to split in blackjack · Blackjack side bets · Surrender in blackjack · How to pick a blackjack table · Blackjack tips · Blackjack table etiquette · How to become a blackjack dealer · How much do blackjack dealers make? · What is a stiff in blackjack? · How many decks are used in blackjack? · How to play blackjack at home · Is blackjack poker? Is it the same as 21? · Spanish 21 · Free Bet Blackjack · Blackjack Switch