Blackjack basics: the five decisions

7 minute read

Blackjack is the rare casino game where your choices change the outcome. The aim is simple: finish with a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's, without going over. Number cards count their value, picture cards count ten, and an ace counts one or eleven, whichever helps more.

How a round goes

You and the dealer each get two cards; one of the dealer's is face down. You act first, card by card. Then the dealer reveals the hidden card and must draw until reaching 17 or more. Most tables say whether the dealer stands or draws on a soft 17, a hand that includes an ace counted as eleven.

The five decisions

• Hit: take another card. You can keep hitting until you stand or go over 21.
• Stand: keep your total and end your turn.
• Double down: double your bet and take exactly one more card. Strongest on a total of 10 or 11.
• Split: if your first two cards are a pair, separate them into two hands, each with its own bet.
• Surrender: where offered, give up the hand straight away and get half your bet back.

Blackjack itself

An ace and a ten-value card as your first two cards is a blackjack. It usually pays 3 to 2 and beats any other 21. If the dealer also has blackjack, the hand is a push and your bet comes back.

A rule of thumb to start with

Stand on 17 or more. Hit on 11 or less. Between 12 and 16, look at the dealer's visible card: if it's 7 or higher, hit; if it's 6 or lower, stand and let the dealer risk going over. This isn't perfect strategy, but it's close enough to play well from your first hand.