Blackjack Rules

A big part of Blackjack’s enduring appeal is that blackjack rules are very easy to pickup. The basics of blackjack are straightforward and common to all variations; simply put the aim of Blackjack is to end up with the highest scoring hand as long as it doesn’t exceed 21. The skill comes in deciding whether to “stand” (stick with your cards) or “hit” (take another card). If the total value of your cards goes over 21 then you’ve gone “bust” and lost the hand.

A “Blackjack” occurs when a player is dealt an ace and a 10 (this could be a face card, all of which are worth 10) as their first two cards, this is unbeatable so unless someone else is also dealt a Blackjack (in which case the hand would be a tie) the pot is yours.

If after the cards are dealt no one has won with a Blackjack then the aim of the game is to beat the dealers hand without going over 21 by hitting until you decide to stand. Essentially this means trying to get as close to 21 as you dare.

In Blackjack the number cards are all worth face value, the face cards are all worth 10 and an ace can either be 1 or 11. If the ace can be counted as either a 1 or an 11 without the value of the hand exceeding 21 then your hand is a “soft” total; if you were dealt an ace and a 9 for instance you’d have a “soft” 20 because the ace could still be high or low without the hand going bust. If you then chose to hit and were dealt a 2 it would become a “hard” 12.

It’s worth noting that according to blackjack rules the dealer will continue to deal himself cards until his hand total reaches 17 or higher. As soon as his hand reaches 17 he will stop dealing to himself.

It is also possible to “split” your hand if both of your cards are of the same value, a pair of fives for instance. This means that the wager is doubled with both hands being worth the original bet.