Blackjack is the world's most popular casino game, allowing you to play head-to-head against the dealer. The hand with the card value total closest to 21 without going over, wins. You often have a wide range of choices. You can take extra cards, split two cards of the same value into two hands, or double-down.

How To Play

The goal of Blackjack is to accumulate a card value total that is higher than the dealer's, without exceeding 21. Start by placing a wager. After placing your wager, click the DEAL button to start play.

You and the dealer both receive two cards. Both of your cards are dealt face-up. One dealer's card is dealt face-down, the other face-up.

All face cards are worth 10, Aces are worth either 1 or 11, and all other cards are worth their face value. A Blackjack occurs when the card value total of a hand's first two cards sums to 21 by getting an Ace and a 10-value card. A split hand leading to a two-card value total of 21 is not a Blackjack.

If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, you are offered Insurance, which you can accept or decline. If you accept, this automatically places another wager equal to half of your original wager. After the Insurance Bet is accepted or declined, then the dealer's face-down card is checked. If the dealer does have Blackjack then your Insurance Bet, if any, is paid 2 to 1 and the game ends. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, then your Insurance Bet is forfeited and play proceeds.

If the dealer's face-up card is a 10-value card, then the dealer's face-down card is also checked, but no Insurance Bet is offered beforehand. Early checking of dealer Blackjack is a big advantage for the player since it eliminates risking additional Double Down wagers and Split wagers to be lost to a late-revealed dealer Blackjack.

If the dealer's hand is a Blackjack, then your wager is forfeited and the game ends. The exception is when you also have a Blackjack, which is a push and your wager is returned.

If the dealer's hand is not a Blackjack, then you get to play out your hand. If you are dealt a Blackjack on your first two cards and the dealer does not also have a Blackjack, then your hand is an automatic winner and is paid at 3 to 2. Otherwise, you are given the opportunity to try to improve the outcome of your hand.