Free Blackjack / Blackjack rules
Blackjack rules
In blackjack you play against the dealer. Get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's without going over and you win. Go over 21 and you lose, whatever the dealer does.
Card values
Cards 2 to 10 count their number. Jacks, queens and kings count 10. An ace counts 1 or 11, whichever helps your hand. Suits do not matter. More on card values.
The deal
You place a bet, then you and the dealer each get two cards. Both of yours are face up. One of the dealer's is face up (the upcard) and the other is face down (the hole card).
Blackjack
An ace and a 10, J, Q or K as your first two cards is a blackjack, also called a natural. It pays 3 to 2: a $10 bet wins $15. If the dealer also has blackjack, it is a push and you keep your bet.
Your moves
- Hit: take another card. Hit as many times as you like until you stand or go over 21.
- Stand: keep your total and end your turn.
- Double down: double your bet on your first two cards and take exactly one more card.
- Split: when your first two cards have the same value, split them into two hands with a bet on each.
- Insurance: when the dealer shows an ace, a side bet of up to half your bet that the dealer has blackjack. It pays 2 to 1. How insurance works.
- Surrender: some tables let you give up your first two cards and get half your bet back.
How the dealer plays
The dealer has no choices. After every player is done, the dealer turns over the hole card and hits until reaching 17 or more. At most tables the dealer stands on all 17s. At others the dealer hits a soft 17 (a 17 that counts an ace as 11). The table felt says which. What soft 17 means.
Who wins
- You go over 21: you lose, even if the dealer busts later.
- The dealer goes over 21: every hand still in play wins.
- Otherwise the higher total wins. A win pays 1 to 1.
- Equal totals are a push: your bet comes back.
- Blackjack beats any other 21.
Splitting rules
Each split hand gets a second card and is played on its own. Most casinos let you split again up to 3 or 4 hands, and many let you double after a split. Split aces usually get one card each. A 21 made after a split counts as 21, not blackjack.
The rules at freeblackjack.fun
| Decks | 6 |
|---|---|
| Dealer | Stands on all 17s, peeks for blackjack with an ace or 10 showing |
| Blackjack pays | 3 to 2 |
| Double | Any first two cards, also after a split, or for less |
| Split | Up to 4 hands, split aces get one card each |
| Insurance | Pays 2 to 1 |
| Surrender | No |
| Bets | $100 to $10,000 in play money |
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Questions
What is the main rule of blackjack?
Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Go over 21 and you lose.
Does the dealer have to hit on 16?
Yes. The dealer hits every total of 16 or less and stands on 17 or more. Some tables have the dealer hit soft 17.
What happens if you and the dealer both have 21?
It is a push and you keep your bet. A blackjack beats a 21 made with three or more cards.
Can you split any two cards?
You can split two cards of the same value, such as two 8s, or a king and a jack at most casinos.
More: 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