Let’s learn how to play blackjack as if you’re a total beginner. This is how a typical game will go.
How to Play Blackjack Step-by-Step
- Find a table and place your bet: First, find an open table at a casino or online platform. Then, place your bet by putting your chips on the table in front of you.
- Receive your cards: The dealer will deal two cards to each player, including themselves. Both of your cards will be dealt face up, while one of the dealer’s cards will be face up and the other face down.
- Decide whether to hit or stand: After receiving your cards, you have the option to “hit” and receive another card from the dealer, or “stand” and keep your current hand. The objective is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
- Take additional cards (optional): If your hand total is less than 21, you can choose to hit again to try to improve your hand. You can hit as many times as you’d like, as long as your total doesn’t go over 21.
- Determine the winner: Once all players have completed their turn, the dealer will reveal their face-down card. If the dealer’s total is less than 17, they must hit until they reach a total of 17 or higher. If the dealer’s total goes over 21, they “bust” and all remaining players win. Otherwise, the dealer compares their hand to each player’s hand and pays out the winning bets accordingly.
- Collect your winnings (if any): If your hand total is higher than the dealer’s without going over 21, you win. The payout for a winning hand is usually 1:1, which means that you receive the same amount as your original bet.
Those are the basic steps for playing blackjack. There are also other rules that you can learn to improve your strategy and increase your chances of winning.
Basic Blackjack Rules for Beginners
To learn how to play blackjack and win effectively, you need to understand basic blackjack rules. Keep these in mind as you play.
- The game starts with the player placing a bet. The dealer then deals two cards to each player and two cards to themselves. One of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up, and the other is dealt face down.
- The player then has the option to “hit” or “stand”. If the player hits, they receive another card from the dealer. If they stand, they keep their current hand.
- The point is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) have a value of 10, and aces can be counted as 1 or 11.
- If the player’s hand total goes over 21, they “bust” and lose their bet. If the player’s hand total is 21, they have a “blackjack” and win 1.5 times their bet.
- Once all players at the table have completed their turn, the dealer reveals their face-down card. If the dealer’s total is less than 17, they must hit until they reach a total of 17 or higher.
- If the dealer’s total goes over 21, they bust and all remaining players win. Otherwise, the dealer compares their hand to each player’s hand and pays out the winning bets accordingly.
- If the player’s hand total is higher than the dealer’s without going over 21, they win. The payout for a winning hand is usually 1:1, which means that the player receives the same amount as their original bet.
How to Play Blackjack Like a Pro – Basic Tips and Strategy
Want to know how to play blackjack in a way that maximizes your chances of winning? Of course you do! Follow these tips to give yourself the best chance.
- Learn basic strategy: Basic strategy is a set of rules that tells you the optimal play in every situation based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Memorizing basic strategy can significantly improve your chances of winning.
- Don’t take insurance: Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. It pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. However, taking insurance is not a good strategy in the long run, as it increases the house edge.
- Don’t chase losses: It’s important to manage your bankroll and not chase losses by increasing your bets to recoup your losses. This can lead to bigger losses and a depleted bankroll.
- Know when to hit or stand: If your hand total is less than 12, you should hit. If your hand total is between 12 and 16, you should hit if the dealer’s upcard is 7 or higher. If your hand total is 17 or higher, you should stand.
- Practice with free online games: Many online casinos offer free blackjack games where you can practice your skills without risking any real money.