How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Mastering the Game in Simple Steps
You’re no dummy, but learning a new game can seem overwhelming and might make you feel like one.
Our how to play blackjack for dummies guide will have you feeling like a pro in no time and enjoying this popular card game whether you’re betting online or in a land-based casino.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: What You’ll Learn
- Understanding the Basics: Discover the fundamental rules and objectives of blackjack, including how the game is played and what a winning hand looks like.
- Card Values and Game Mechanics: Learn how card values are determined, how the dealer operates, and the importance of hitting, standing, doubling down, and splitting.
- Strategies for Success: Explore simple strategies that can enhance your chances of winning, including basic betting techniques and when to take specific actions.
- Avoiding Common Mistakes: Identify common pitfalls that beginners often make and how to steer clear of them to improve your game.
- Etiquette at the Table: Understand the dos and don’ts of blackjack etiquette, from dealing with other players to interacting with the dealer for a smooth gaming experience.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Understanding the Basics of Blackjack
How do you play Blackjack in simple terms? The objective of the game of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as you can without going over and have your card total higher than the Dealer.
When you’re sitting at a Blackjack table, it’s you against the Dealer. While other players at the table affect the cards in play, you aren’t in competition with any of them.
Card Values and Scoring
Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck. The card values are:
Ace: Aces are worth either 1 or 11, depending on the other cards you have been dealt.
2-10: These cards are valued as their numbers.
Jack, Queen and King: These cards have a value of 10.
When you are dealt your initial two cards, add the value of the two to determine your total. For example:
- 3 and 9 = 12
- Jack and 8 = 18
- King and Ace = 21, or Blackjack
You can only get a Blackjack on your first two cards. If you have a 10, 6 and 5, that equals 21 but isn’t considered a “Blackjack.”
The Deal: How Cards are Distributed
A Blackjack Dealer will deal out two cards to each player at the table face up while dealing themselves one card face up and the other face down.
Going forward, if a player asks for another card, that one will be dealt face up. Once all the players have had the opportunity to play, the Dealer will flip over their face down card and deal cards to themselves face up until they’re total card value is between 17 and 21, or they Bust.
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Understanding the Structure of Play
Learning the rules of Blackjack at their basic level is fairly simple. As mentioned previously, the goal of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
After you receive your two face up cards, you then have to make a decision on your next move. The options are:
- Hit. You get another card.
- Stand. This means you do not want another card.
- Double Down. When you Double Down, you double your bet for one card.
- Split. If you have matching cards, such as two 8s or two Aces, you can double your wager and split the two cards up to start two new hands. The Dealer will then deal out another face up card for each split card.
If you Hit and the next card makes your hand value exceed 21 you Bust, which means you lose.
When to Hit or Stand
Knowing when to Hit or Stand will help you make better decisions at the Blackjack table. One standard casino rule in Blackjack is that the Dealer must Stand on 17 or higher.
Before we get into when to Hit or Stand, I want you think about the likelihood of receiving a card with a value of ten. There are 4 types of cards with a value of ten: 10, Jack, Queen and King. That means 16 out of 52 cards in standard deck will have a value of ten, or just about 30%.
Let’s take a look at some scenarios to help you learn when to best Hit or Stand.
Scenario 1:
Your cards: 10 and Jack (equals 20)
Dealer shows a 9.
In this situation, you’ll want to Stand. In fact, only an Ace with a value of 1 will help you and the risk isn’t worth it. The Dealer has a 9 and there is a good chance their face down card is valued at 10. If that’s true, they have 19 and will have to Stand and you’ll likely to win.
Scenario 2:
Your cards: Queen and 6 (equals 16)
Dealer shows a 9.
In this situation, you’ll want to Hit. The likelihood of getting a Bust card (a card that will make your hand’s value exceed 21) is high, but so is the likelihood that the Dealer has a ten face down and has 19, which means you will lose. The general rule is to Hit.
Scenario 3:
Your cards: Jack and 4 (equals 14)
Dealer shows a 5.
You’ll want to Stand. This may seem like a strange move but the goal is to win. There’s a 30% chance the Dealer’s face down card is valued at ten. But it’s also likely that the next card to be dealt is a 10. If you hit on 14 and get a 10, you Bust.
This means you want the Dealer to get the “Bust card” instead. If you Stand, there’s a high probability that the Dealer has 15, is forced to Hit and gets a Bust card.
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Scenario 4:
Your cards: 2 and 8 (equals 10)
Dealer shows a 5.
Hit. There is no situation in which you’ll Bust on the next card.
Do you hit or stay on 16?
Whether to hit on a 16 can be a frustrating question to answer when you’re at the Blackjack table. A lot of it depends on the cards that have been played, the cards other players currently have and the Dealer’s face up card.
- If you have 16 and the Dealer’s face card is 2-6, then Stand. The likelihood of a 6-10 value card coming up is high. It’s better to have the Dealer risking hitting the Bust card.
- If you have 16 and the Dealer’s face card has a 7-10 value, then Hit. There’s a high probability that the Dealer’s hand will be 17 or higher which means they Stand. If you have 16, then you lose. It’s a gamble, but you should Hit.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Doubling Down
Doubling down is a strategic move to boost your winnings by doubling your initial wager. Nothing in gambling is a sure thing, however, doubling down at the right time can be lucrative.
After the Dealer has dealt out all the cards, you have the opportunity to Hit or Stand. A Double Down is doubling your wager and receiving 1 card face up. You cannot Hit after that.
Is there a good time and a bad time to Double Down?
Yes. There’s a general rule, Always Double Down on 11. The reason is the likelihood of getting a card valued at 10 is high, which puts you at 21 – you can’t lose! Of course, getting a 10 isn’t guaranteed. Doubling down when your cards are worth 10 is also a good move, especially if the Dealer face up card is 2-7.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Splitting Pairs
If your two face up cards are a pair (ex: 2 x 7s, 2 x 8s) then you can double your wager and split the two cards. These become two separate, new hands. The Dealer will provide another face up card for each hand and you play normally.
Is there a good time and a bad time to split?
Yes. The best times to consider splitting is when you have a pair of 8s or a pair of Aces. The reason is the value of the cards together. A pair of 8s equals 16. Hitting on 16 is a gamble, unless the Dealer’s face up card is 7 or higher. By splitting, you increase your chances of having a better hand.
A pair of Aces is equal to 2 or 12. By splitting Aces, you have a 38% chance of getting a card equal to 9 or 10, putting your hand’s value at 20 or 21 – a very solid Blackjack hand.
Every other pair is a bigger gamble when it comes to Splitting. Most people will say never Split 10s, but there is an argument to be made if the Dealer’s face up card is 2-6.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Exploring Effective Strategies
For beginners, it’s best to stick with well-known Blackjack strategies – this will ensure you lower the house edge to give yourself the best chances of winning.
The way that Blackjack is set up provides the casino with an edge, meaning over time, the casino will come up ahead. If you maximize your wins, you’ll increase your chances of walking away from the table with more chips than when you sat down.
Basic Strategy Charts
Our Blackjack basic strategy chart is a great way to familiarize yourself with when to Hit, Stand, Double Down and Split. As you’ll see, this chart suggests the following:
- Hit when your hand’s value is 11 or below or if the value is 12-16 and the Dealer shows a 7 or higher
- Stand when your hand’s value is 17 or higher or if the Dealer has a 2-6 face up and your hand’s value is between 12-16.
- Double Down on 11
- Split pairs of 8s and Aces.
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How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Bankroll Management Tips
When gambling, it’s important to set a budget for your bankroll and stick with it. This ensures you’re playing with money you can afford to lose and that you’re having a good time.
Another bankroll management tip is to bet strategically. This means you’re making rational bets and not trying to chase after wins by betting more than you should. While increasing your bet slightly if you win is a known strategy, you’ll want to avoid large bets to ensure losses are modest.
Adjusting strategies based on game progress is also a good method. There are many kinds of betting systems players use to maximize their bankroll. However, for the beginner Blackjack player, stick with the basic strategy chart until you get a solid understanding of how the game works.
Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions in Blackjack
Don’t be fooled by these myths and misconceptions when playing Blackjack.
Myth 1: Blackjack is purely a game of luck
There is an element of luck, or chance, in Blackjack. However, just because the cards in a game of Blackjack are unknown until they are dealt, it doesn’t mean the game relies solely on luck. By using strategies and even a little card counting, you can make educated guesses on cards that might come up.
However, Blackjack is a game of chance. Strategies only help you lower the house edge.
Myth 2: You should always take insurance
Insurance is a side bet offered if the Dealer has an Ace card face up. You’re allowed to bet up to half your original wager and, if the Dealer has Blackjack, you win 2:1. So, if your original bet is $10 and you take the $5 insurance bet and the Dealer does have Blackjack, you win $10; but you lose your original $10 – so you essentially break even.
If you buy Insurance and the Dealer does not have Blackjack, you lose that side bet.
At best, taking Insurance will help you break even so it’s generally considered not worth doing.
Myth 3: The house edge means Blackjack will be a losing game
With an optimal strategy, the house edge dips to under 1% meaning that over time the house will always win at Blackjack. But anything and everything can affect the game such as how other players at your chosen table play, how the deck is shuffled and the strategy you use. While the game does favor the house, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to lose over time.
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How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Discover Blackjack Variations
Classic Blackjack
Classic, or American Blackjack is the standard way that Blackjack is played in land-based casinos and online casinos.
European Blackjack
European Blackjack has many similarities to Classic Blackjack with the exception that the Dealer doesn’t receive their second card until all the players have completed their turns. This means that a Dealer won’t know if they have a Blackjack until the end of play, which impacts how players might Hit or Stand
Progressive Blackjack
In Progressive Blackjack, a portion of each player’s wager goes into a progressive jackpot. To win that jackpot, a player needs to meet certain criteria such as getting a suited Blackjack (Ace and ten-value card of the same suit) or a 5-card 21 (Hit three times and have your cards equal 21).
Progressive Blackjack will vary by casino or table.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Learn About Payout Systems in Blackjack
A payout system is how players get paid based on their win.
- Win: A win will pay 1:1. If you bet $10 and win, you will receive $10.
- Blackjack: Blackjacks will generally pay 6:5 or 3:2.
- If a Blackjack pays 6:5 you’ll be paid $6 for every $5 you bet. For example, a $10 bet would win $12 if you got a Blackjack
- If a Blackjack pays 3:2 you’ll be paid $3 for every $2 bet. For example, if you wager $10 and get a Blackjack, you’ll win $15.
- Push: A push means you tie and don’t win or lose your bet. For example, both you and the Dealer have cards valued at 20, it’s a push and you keep your wager.
Side Bets and Their Odds
Blackjack tables will sometimes have side bets to make the game more interesting. These can be fun to play because a lot of times the minimum is just $1, however, they don’t pay as frequently. Here are some popular side bets:
- Perfect Pairs: This side bet wins when there are multiple Blackjack decks and you have two cards of the same suit and rank. For example, 2 x Queen of Spades.
- 21 + 3: This is not getting your card value to be 24, but rather making a poker hand with your first two face up cards and the Dealer’s face up card. For example, you get dealt 2 sevens and the Dealer has a seven, which would be a three of a kind in poker. Or if you are dealt a 9 and a 10 and the Dealer has an 8, this would be a straight.
- Lucky Ladies: This often pays out if you have two cards that equal 20. It pays really well if you have 2 x Queens of a specific suit.
There are several variations of side bets so see what tables offer these extras. The odds of winning will vary depending on the table and payouts so make sure to check out the rules before you bet.
How to Play Blackjack for Dummies: Casino Etiquette and Good Practices
Playing at a casino table game, you’ll want to ensure you have the right etiquette and understand the expectations of the casino.
Proper Behavior at the Blackjack Table
- If You Don’t Know, Ask. Players at Blackjack tables are generally courteous. In fact, if you’re not sure whether to Hit or Stand, most are willing to offer advice. If there is a certain rule you don’t understand though, ask the Dealer. It’s one thing to read this How to Play Blackjack for Dummies article, but it’s another to sit at a live table. Seriously, it’s okay to ask.
- Do Not Touch the Cards. The casino does not like it when players touch the cards. The Dealer will give you a warning but if you keep touching the cards, the Pit Boss (the table manager) might kick you out of the table.
- Don’t Touch Your Chips. Once you place your chips down, you can’t touch them. The casino is afraid you’re skimping off a chip if the hand looks bad for you or sneaking another one on if things look favorable.
Dealing with Other Players and the Dealer
- Be a Good Winner or Loser. It’s okay to celebrate a win or lament a loss, but be aware of the feelings of everyone around you. Blackjack tables should be fun so if someone loses, show sympathy, if necessary. It’s you against the Dealer, not other players.
- If You Don’t Like the Table, Leave. Nothing is keeping you at a table. If the pace is too quick, the players too disruptive or you’re getting bad vibes, just leave and find a new table or game to play.
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Resources for Practice and Improvement
There are many resources for practicing Blackjack. You can easily find several free Blackjack games on your mobile device or laptop as well as plain old deck of cards. The more you play, the better you’ll understand the games and how to make the best decisions on any number of hands.
Using Cheat Sheets and Strategy Cards
Cheat sheets and strategy cards will tell you when best to Hit, Stand, Double Down and Split based on your cards and the Dealer’s face up card. Many casinos will even allow you to bring a strategy card to the Blackjack table. They know they have the house edge no matter what so most are okay with you learning how to play with a tip sheet.
Online Platforms for Practice Play
Online Blackjack platforms are great for learning the game at your pace. Free Blackjack games will allow you to play without wagering any real money. If you choose an online casino, make sure it’s a legitimate site and start wagering the minimum until you get more comfortable.
The more you practice, the better you’ll be at making the right calls based on your cards, other players’ cards and the Dealer’s face up card.
Accessing Exclusive Bonuses for New Players
It’s hard to avoid online casino commercials so you’re probably familiar with the more popular ones. Many of these casinos will offer bonuses when new players sign up. Some bonuses may include:
- Deposit matching to a certain amount
- Free money to gamble with
- Withdrawal of bonus money. Many online casinos will make you hold or play a certain amount of bonus money earned while others might allow you to withdrawal immediately.
- Loyalty programs can provide benefits. They can vary so make sure you know and understand the rules.
- Cashback offers are a way to entice new players as it promises a certain percentage of your losses will be returned.
When choosing to play on an online casino, consider what bonuses they’re offering and see how you can make the most out of your money as you learn how to play Blackjack.
Blackjack for (not so)Dummies
Now that you’ve read through our how to play blackjack for dummies guide, you have a better understanding of the game and the basics for starting off.
Remember, Blackjack should be fun so it’s important to have a budget and stick with it; if you find that emotions are driving your strategy, step away and cool down.
Title Image Credit: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock
