Blackjack
Blackjack offers the best odds in the casino when played with perfect basic strategy, reducing the house edge to as low as 0.5%. Card counting can theoretically give the player an edge, making it one of the only beatable casino games.
Play Blackjack FreeHow to Play Blackjack
Blackjack is a card game where you compete against the dealer, not other players. The goal is simple: get a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer without going over (busting). Each player receives two cards, and the dealer shows one card face-up. You then decide whether to take more cards or stand with your current total.
Card values are straightforward: numbered cards (2-10) are worth their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10, and Aces can count as either 1 or 11, whichever benefits your hand more. A hand with an Ace counted as 11 is called a 'soft' hand because it can't bust with one more card.
After receiving your initial two cards, you have several options. Hit means taking another card. Stand means keeping your current total. Double Down means doubling your bet and receiving exactly one more card, best used when you have a strong starting hand. Split is available when you have a pair, letting you create two separate hands. Some tables also offer Surrender, where you forfeit half your bet and give up your hand.
The dealer plays last, following fixed rules: they must hit on 16 or below and stand on 17 or above. This is what creates the house edge: players who bust lose immediately, even if the dealer would have busted too. A natural blackjack (Ace + 10-value card) pays 3:2 at most tables, and beating the dealer with a higher total pays 1:1.
Quick Rules
- Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over
- Number cards = face value, Face cards = 10, Ace = 1 or 11
- Natural blackjack (Ace + 10) pays 3:2
- Dealer must hit on 16 or below, stand on 17 or above
- Going over 21 (bust) means an automatic loss
- You can Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, or Surrender
- Insurance is offered when dealer shows an Ace (avoid it)
Beginner Tips
#1Learn basic strategy. It reduces the house edge from ~2% to 0.5% and tells you the optimal play for every hand
#2Never take insurance. It has a 7.4% house edge, one of the worst bets on the table
#3Always split Aces and 8s, never split 10s or 5s
#4Choose tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack, not 6:5. The difference costs you about 1.4% in house edge
#5Set a budget before you sit down and stick to it. Basic strategy minimizes losses but doesn't eliminate them
Practice This Strategy
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Blackjack Strategies. Ranked by Score
Basic Strategy
The mathematically optimal play for every possible hand combination. Memorize the chart and reduce the house edge to 0.5%.
Insurance Bet Analysis
Understanding when the insurance side bet is a sucker bet and the rare card-counting situations where taking insurance actually makes mathematical sense.
Card Counting (Hi-Lo)
The most popular card counting system. Track the ratio of high to low cards to gain a mathematical edge over the casino.
Optimal Betting Spread
How to size your bets optimally based on the true count to maximize profit while managing risk and avoiding casino detection.
Shuffle Tracking
An advanced technique that tracks groups of cards through the shuffle to predict their location in the next shoe.
Recommended Tools
Key Terms to Know
The mathematically optimal play for every possible hand combination in blackjack, determined by computer simulation. Following basic strategy reduces the house edge to approximately 0.5%. It covers when to hit, stand, double, split, and surrender.
Card CountingA technique used in blackjack to track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck. When the count is favorable (many high cards left), the player increases bets. Not illegal but casinos can ban counters. The Hi-Lo system is the most popular method.
Double DownA blackjack option where you double your initial bet and receive exactly one more card. Optimal when you have a strong starting hand (like 11) against a weak dealer upcard. Basic strategy specifies exactly when to double.
SplitA blackjack option available when dealt a pair (two cards of equal value). You split them into two separate hands, each with its own bet. Always split Aces and 8s; never split 10s or 5s.
Insurance (Blackjack)A side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace, paying 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. The house edge on insurance is approximately 7.4%, making it one of the worst bets in blackjack. Card counters may take insurance when the count is high.
Soft HandA blackjack hand containing an Ace counted as 11. For example, A-6 is a 'soft 17.' Soft hands can't bust with one additional card because the Ace can be revalued to 1. Different basic strategy rules apply to soft hands.
Hard HandA blackjack hand without an Ace, or where the Ace must count as 1 to avoid busting. For example, 10-7 is a hard 17, and A-6-10 is also hard 17 (Ace counts as 1). Hard hands are riskier to hit.
ShoeA device that holds multiple decks of cards for dealing in table games. Standard blackjack shoes contain 6 or 8 decks. Fewer decks generally means better odds for the player and easier card counting.
Blackjack FAQ
What is the house edge in Blackjack?
The house edge in Blackjack ranges from 0.5% - 2%, depending on the specific bet and strategy used.
What is the best Blackjack strategy?
The highest-rated strategy is Basic Strategy with a score of 8/10.
How many Blackjack strategies are there?
CasinoEdges analyzes 5 different Blackjack strategies.