Blackjack

Blackjack is the most widely played table game in casinos.

Introduction

Blackjack is the most popular casino table game globally and is offered at virtually every online casino. Its low house edge and manageable variance make it an excellent choice for fulfilling wagering requirements when bonuses permit.

Rules and Play

Hands in blackjack are scored by summing the values of the cards. For instance, a hand with a 4, 5, and 6 totals 15. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10 points. Aces can count as either 1 or 11; an Ace and a 7 could be valued as 8 or 18. The goal is to achieve a higher total than the dealer without exceeding 21. A total over 21 is a "bust," resulting in an automatic loss regardless of the dealer's hand. A two-card 21, known as a "blackjack," is the best possible hand and typically pays a bonus at 3:2 odds, while other winning hands pay 1:1.

After placing a bet, both the player and dealer receive two cards, with one of the dealer's cards face-up. Standard rules allow the dealer to check for a potential blackjack if their upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card. If the dealer shows an Ace, players may purchase "insurance" against a dealer blackjack, which pays 2:1 if the dealer's hole card completes the blackjack. The house edge on insurance is generally between 2% and 15%, making it unfavorable except in specific situations, such as certain single- or double-deck games where card counting reveals a high proportion of 10-value cards. See the insurance exceptions page for details. If the dealer has a blackjack, the round ends. Otherwise, the player decides how to proceed with their hand. The available options are:

Stand — The player keeps their current cards and ends their turn.

Hit — The player draws an additional card and may continue to hit until they reach 21 or bust.

Double — The player doubles their initial bet and draws exactly one more card, after which their turn ends. This option is typically only available on a two-card hand.

Split — If the player's first two cards are of equal value, they may split them into two separate hands, placing an additional bet. Each new hand receives another card. If splitting Aces, usually only one card is drawn per Ace and the turn ends. For other pairs, the player may then hit, stand, or double on each resulting hand. Re-splitting may also be allowed under certain rules.

Strategy

With such complicated rules, optimal strategy for baccarat is surprisingly simple. There are no strategy choices among which cards to take or whether to hit/stand. Place a bet on banker or player, then wait for the dealer to flip the cards, and see if you have won or not. Banker bets have a slightly lower house edge than player bets under typical circumstances, as explained below. Optimal strategy is to simply bet on banker.