Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
House edge: about 0.5%.
Difficulty: some decisions.
Stand on 17 or more; hit 12 to 16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher; always split aces and eights; never take insurance.
Quick answerGet closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Place a bet. You get two cards; the dealer shows one.
Some decisions
Five steps
Place a bet.
You get two cards; the dealer shows one.
Hit to take a card, stand to stop, double to double your bet for one card, split a pair.
Go over 21 and you lose at once.
The dealer draws to 17; the higher hand wins.
What it pays
Outcome
Pays
Blackjack: an ace and a ten-value card
3 to 2
Beat the dealer
1 to 1
Same total as the dealer
Stake returned
Insurance, if the dealer has blackjack
2 to 1; avoid
A sample round
You bet £1 and are dealt a ten and a six: sixteen. The dealer shows a nine. Basic strategy says hit, so you take a card: a four, making twenty. You stand. The dealer turns over a seven for sixteen, must draw, and gets an eight: bust. You win £1.
A good first bet
Stand on 17 or more; hit 12 to 16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher; always split aces and eights; never take insurance.
The mistake to avoid
Playing at a table that pays 6 to 5 for blackjack instead of 3 to 2, and taking side bets.
What it costs
With basic strategy and good rules the house keeps about 0.5%: about 50p per £100 staked.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you play blackjack?
Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
Is blackjack good for beginners?
Yes, once you have learnt a few decisions.
What is the house edge on blackjack?
About 0.5%.
Can I try it free?
Many games have a demo mode after age verification.
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