How to Play Blackjack: Rules and Basic Strategy
You need to learn how to play blackjack with basic strategy if you want to benefit from the game’s low house edge. We’ll explain how blackjack works, and we’ll teach you when to hit, stand, double down, or split cards. That will help you unlock blackjack’s high return to player (RTP) rate at the best crypto casinos.
This guide starts out by listing the basic rules of blackjack. You’ll discover the card values, how a hand plays out, and why doubling down is such a valuable option. We’ll then delve into basic blackjack strategy, and we’ll list the most common mistakes to avoid.
Blackjack Rules: The Basics
The ultimate goal is to get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going bust. You’ll be dealt two cards face-up at the start of each round. The dealer will also receive two cards – one face-up and another face-down.
You can then hit, stand, split, or double down. If your hand exceeds 21, you’ll go bust and lose your bet. If you stand, the dealer’s hand will be played out. Whoever is closer to 21 wins.
Card Values
Cards numbered 2-10 are worth their face value. Jacks, queens, and kings all count as 10. Aces are flexible, as they can be worth 1 or 11 – whichever helps you build the stronger hand.
For example, let’s say you have an ace and a 9. In that case, the ace is worth 11, as that leaves you with a hand of 20. This is known as a soft hand, as the ace’s value can still drop to 1 if you hit.
Meanwhile, if you have a queen and a 6, and you’re dealt an ace, the ace is worth 1. That takes your hand to 17, ensuring you don’t go bust. This is known as a hard hand, as the ace is locked in at 1.
How a Hand Plays Out
Every round follows the same sequence:
- Place your bet. Lay your chips on the table to place a bet. For example, if you want to play for $15, put a $10 chip and a $5 chip down.
- Cards are dealt. You’ll get two cards face-up. The dealer will get two cards – one face-up and another face-down. If your first two cards total 21 (ace and a 10, jack, queen, or king), you have a natural blackjack. That means you’ll win immediately (unless the dealer also has a natural, in which case you’ll push).
- Player acts. You can then play out your hand. Take as many extra cards as you like, but if your total exceeds 21, you’ll go bust and lose your bet.
- Dealer acts. If you stand, the dealer’s face-down card will be revealed. The dealer will then play out their hand according to fixed rules. If the dealer goes bust, you win.
- Showdown. If neither of you goes bust, whoever is closest to 21 wins. If your hands are equal in value, it’s a push, and your bet is returned.
The funds will instantly be added to your balance if you win. You can then play another hand or walk away.
Player Actions Explained
Learning how to play blackjack really comes down to four decisions. These are your options after you receive your first two cards:
- Hit: Take another card. You can keep hitting until you’re happy with your total or you go bust. It’s best to hit when your hand is weak and the dealer’s upcard is strong.
- Stand: Take no more cards and lock in your total. The dealer will then play out their hand. Standing is often the correct decision even on low totals if the dealer is likely to bust.
- Double down: Double your bet in exchange for exactly one more card. This is a great option if you have a strong starting total (11 or 10), especially if the dealer’s upcard is weak. It lets you press your advantage when the odds favor you.
- Split: If your first two cards match, you can split them into two separate hands. You’ll need to place a second bet equal to your first, and you then play each hand independently. For example, if you’re playing for $10 and you get two 8s, you can put another $10 down and play two separate hands. You’ll get a second card next to each of your 8s, and you can then decide how to play each hand.
Some tables also offer a “surrender” option, which lets you fold a poor hand and reclaim half your bet. You may also be offered insurance – a side bet on the dealer having blackjack when their upcard is an ace. It carries negative expected value, so it’s best to avoid claiming insurance.
Dealer Rules
Blackjack dealers don’t make any decisions. They simply play out their hands according to fixed rules. The dealer must hit on any total of 16 or less, and they also need to stand on a total of 17 or higher. They can’t double down, split, or react to your hand—the rules decide everything for them.
If you want to learn blackjack, it’s important to consider how the game you choose handles a soft 17 (ace plus a 6). Some tables require the dealer to stand on a soft 17, but others force the dealer to hit. This adds around 0.2% to the house edge, so it’s best to choose games in which the dealer has to stand on a soft 17. Check the game rules before playing to confirm.
Blackjack Payouts: 3:2 vs 6:5
You’ll normally get paid out at even money (1:1) if you win a blackjack hand. For example, if you bet $10, you’ll win $10.
The exception is when you’re dealt a blackjack (ace plus a card valued at 10). In that case you’re paid out at 3:2. If you’re playing for $10 per hand, you’d get a $15 payout.
However, certain games only pay out at 6:5 if you get a natural blackjack. If that’s the case, it adds roughly 1.4% to the house edge. It’s best to avoid any games that only pay 6:5, as they take a large bite out of your returns.
Blackjack Basic Strategy: An Overview
Blackjack basic strategy is the art of knowing when to hit, stand, split, or double down. We can divide each blackjack hand into three broad groups:
- Hard totals: Two cards with different values, not including an ace.
- Soft totals: Two cards with different values, including an ace.
- Pairs: Two cards of the same value.
Our blackjack strategy chart explains the best way to play each hand you’re dealt. It shows you the optimal way to play hard totals, soft totals, and pairs. You can use it as a reference while playing blackjack at crypto casinos. If you follow this advice, you’ll benefit from blackjack’s low house edge.
In general, it’s best to hit on totals of 11 or less, while you should normally stand on totals of 17 or more. If you have a stiff hand (12-16), whether you hit or stand depends on the strength of the dealer’s upcard. It’s generally best to hit if the dealer has a 7 or higher, but you should stand if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6.
These are some basic rules to follow:
- Always double down when dealt a hard 11.
- Double down on a 10 if the dealer’s face-up card is 9 or less.
- Double down on ace-2 through ace-7 if the dealer shows a 5 or 6.
- Always split aces and 8s.
- Never split 10s or face cards.
The best crypto casinos let you practice blackjack for free in demo mode. This gives you a chance to master basic strategy. You can then switch to playing for real money at any point.
Blackjack House Edge and Rule Variations
Blackjack is renowned for having a much lower house edge than other casino games. The edge is roughly 0.5%, compared to 2.7% on European roulette, 1.06% on baccarat, and around 4% on an average online slot.
However, the precise house edge will vary from one game to the next. It depends upon each game’s blackjack rules. Here are the key rules to consider:
- Single deck. Using a single deck can reduce the house edge by up to 0.47%, compared to using a six-deck or eight-deck shoe.
- Doubling down. If you’re allowed to double down on any hand total (not just 9, 10, or 11), it cuts the house edge by 0.25%. The ability to double down after splitting also reduces the house edge by 0.17%.
- Re-splitting. The option to re-split aces takes 0.07% off the house edge.
- Late surrender. If you’re allowed to surrender late in the hand, it lowers the house edge by about 0.08%.
- Dealer stands. As mentioned earlier, the house edge drops by 0.2% if the dealer needs to stand on a soft 17.
You’re unlikely to find a game that offers every single one of these player-friendly rules, but try to choose games that offer as many as possible. One game, Single Deck Desperado Blackjack, has a 99.96% RTP, which equates to a house edge of just 0.04%.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Avoiding these mistakes will boost your chances of success when playing online blackjack:
- Taking insurance. It looks like protection, but it’s actually a separate bet with negative expected value, so it’s best to decline insurance.
- Mimicking the dealer. Don’t play your hand according to the dealer’s rules (hitting to 16 and standing on 17). Instead, you need to play your hand according to the dealer’s upcard.
- Standing on soft 17. An ace and a 6 can’t bust with one hit. It’s always best to hit if you have a soft 17.
- Playing 6:5 tables. The reduced blackjack payout adds roughly 1.4% to the house edge, so stick to 3:2 games.
Conclusion
Blackjack rewards players who put in a little homework. Learn the rules, keep a basic strategy chart handy, and only play at 3:2 tables. That will ensure you benefit from blackjack’s high RTP percentage at the top crypto casinos.
FAQs
The basic rules of blackjack are simple: get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going bust. You can stick with the first two cards you’re dealt, or take extra cards in a bid to improve your hand. However, if your hand exceeds 21, you’ll lose.
Blackjack pays 3:2 on most games, but it only pays 6:5 on certain tables. Avoid any games where a natural blackjack only pays 6:5, as that seriously increases the house edge.
Consider the dealer’s upcard to determine whether you should hit or stand when playing online blackjack. You should always hit on 11 or less, and always stand on 17 or more. It’s generally best to hit stiff hands (12-16) when the dealer shows 7 or higher, but stand if the dealer shows a weak upcard (4, 5, or 6), and the dealer then risks busting.
The house edge in blackjack is generally around 0.5%, but it varies according to the specific rules of each game. The number of decks, whether the dealer stands or hits on a soft 17, and the rules around splitting and doubling down will impact the house edge. To calculate the house edge, open the information panel, find the RTP and subtract it from 100.
Blackjack is a game of luck. However, you need to play with basic strategy to benefit from the game’s high return to player (RTP) rate. That doesn’t require skill, but you do need to learn when to hit, stand, split cards, or double down. By contrast, poker is a game of skill.
Yes, you can play blackjack online with crypto. Just sign up with one of our top-rated crypto casinos and make a deposit via BTC, ETH, USDT, or another token. You can then play a wide range of virtual blackjack and live blackjack games, and you can withdraw your winnings in crypto too.
Ilija is a CCN writer with 7 years of experience covering all things crypto. Ever since a fateful run-in with Litecoin in 2013, he's been an avid investor and writer in the space. When he's not maniacally hacking away at his keyboard, Ilija spends his time either hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.
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