Blackjack
How the Game is Played
Different ways to beat the dealer:
Card Ranks
Blackjack Terminology
Rules for the Dealer
Rules for the Player
Casino Etiquette
Optimal Strategy
Hitting/Staying
Splitting
Doubling Down
Insurance
Game Simulation
Try the online simulation:
Blackjack Simulation
Program
- At most 7 players at a table
- Players play against the dealer (not against each other)
- Dealer deals each player two cards face-up
- Deals herself one card face-down and one card face-up
- Objective: The sum of your cards be closer to 21 (without going over) than the dealer's cards.
- Players decide whether they want to "hit", "stay", and sometimes "split", which are defined below
- After all players finish their turns, dealer flips her hidden card and plays the hand according to the predetermined dealer rules
Different ways to beat the dealer:
- Dealer busts - the sum of her cards is greater than 21
- You have blackjack - you have an A and a 10,J,Q,K in your hand to start
- You have a higher total than the dealer without going over 21 - you have 10+8 and the dealer has a 9 + 8.
Card Ranks
- Cards 2-10 are worth their numeric values. For example, if you have a 6 and a 9, your total is simply 6+9 = 15. Similarly, 5+10 = 15.
- Face cards Jack, Queen, King (J,Q,K) are all worth 10. So if you have a J and a 4, your total is 10 + 4 = 15.
- Aces are worth either 1 or 11; you get to pick the value. So if you have a 9 and an A, you can decide if you want the total to be 9+1=10, or 9+11=20.
Blackjack Terminology
- "Stay" - You decide you do not want any more cards, so your hand is finalized.
- "Hit" - You decide you want another card, so you say "hit" and the dealer gives you another card. If you bust, you lose. If not, you can decide again whether you want to "hit" or "stay".
- "Split" - You can only decide to split when you are dealt two of the same card (e.g. 7 7). You have to double your bet, and essentially play two games.
- "Double-Down" - You can decide to "double-down" after your receive your first two cards. "Doubling-down" means you double your bet and receive only one more card
Rules for the Dealer
- Dealer must "stay" when the sum of her cards is between 16 and 21.
- Dealer must "hit" when the sum of her cards is less than 16.
Rules for the Player
- Player can continue to "hit" as long as the sum of his cards is at most 21
- Player can decide to "stay" whenever he wants
- Player can decide to "split" when he is dealt two cards of identical rank
- Player can decide to "double-down" after his receiving his first two cards
Casino Etiquette
- If you find an open seat, sit down at the table
- Wait until the hand is over, and place your bet
- You place the bet by putting your chips in front of the area on the table that outlines your cards
- You place an Insurance bet by putting your chips on the Insurance section of the playing table
- It is customary, but not required, to tip the dealer if she deals you Blackjack
- You aren't competing against the other players, so don't be afraid to ask for help!
Optimal Strategy
- Probably the most strategic casino game
- Advanced strategy includes counting cards, but is very complex
Hitting/Staying
- If the dealer shows a face card or Ace, hit until you are above 16
- If the dealer shows a card between 7 and 9, hit until you are above 15
- If the dealer shows a card below a 6, hit until you are above 14
Splitting
- Only split on AA or 88
- If you split on AA, you only receive one card each
- If you split on 88, you can receive as many cards as you like unless you bust
Doubling Down
- Double Down whenever you have a 10 or 11
Insurance
- Insuring your bet means you bet that the dealer has blackjack
- Insure your bet if you have a high hand (i.e. 19, 20), and dealer shows a face card or Ace
Game Simulation
Try the online simulation:
Blackjack Simulation
Program
Updated June 6, 2013 - Nathan Lord