What Blackjack Is
Blackjack, also called 21, is a card game you play against the dealer, not against other players at the table. Every player tries to beat the dealer's hand. The blackjack rules here are the common standard used by most online tables and arcade games apps. Small details vary between tables, such as how many decks are used or whether the dealer hits on soft 17, and those are listed in the game.
Card values
- Number cards 2 to 10 count their face value.
- J, Q and K count 10.
- An ace counts 1 or 11, whichever helps the hand more. A hand where the ace counts as 11 is called "soft".
Blackjack Rules for a Round
- Place your stake. You bet before any cards are dealt.
- The deal. You get two cards face up. The dealer gets one face up and one face down (the hole card).
- Check for blackjack. An ace plus a 10 value card in your first two cards is a blackjack, the best hand.
- Your decisions.
- Hit: take another card. Repeat as often as you like.
- Stand: keep your total and end your turn.
- Double down: double your stake, take exactly one more card, then stand.
- Split: if your first two cards are a pair, split them into two hands with a second equal stake.
- Surrender: on tables that allow it, give up the hand and get half your stake back.
- Bust. If your total goes over 21, you lose straight away, even if the dealer busts later.
- Dealer's turn. The dealer reveals the hole card and must hit until reaching 17 or more, then stand.
- Settle. Higher total than the dealer wins. Same total is a push and your stake comes back. Dealer bust means every player still in wins.
Payouts in general terms
A normal win pays even money. A natural blackjack traditionally pays 3 to 2, though some tables pay less, such as 6 to 5. Insurance, offered when the dealer shows an ace, is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack. The exact payout table for any game is shown inside it.
A Worked Blackjack Hand
Your stake is 10 points. You are dealt 6 and 5, a total of 11. The dealer shows a 6.
- 11 is a strong total to double on, because many cards make 20 or 21. You double down, so your stake becomes 20 points, and you take one card.
- You draw a 9. Your total is 20 and you must stand.
- The dealer turns the hole card: a 10. Dealer total is 16, below 17, so the dealer must hit.
- The dealer draws an 8. Total 24, a bust.
- You win even money on 20 points, so you get back your 20 plus 20 more.
Had you only hit instead of doubling, the same cards would have won 10 points. Doubling in the right spot is where the extra comes from, and doubling in the wrong spot is where it goes.
Skill or Chance in Blackjack
Each card is random, but your choices change the result. There is a well known "basic strategy" chart, worked out by computer, that shows the best move for every total against every dealer card. Following it lowers the house edge a lot compared with guessing. It does not remove it. Over time the house keeps an advantage, and a single session can go badly however well you play.
A few basic strategy rules
- Always split aces and 8s.
- Never split 10s or 5s.
- Stand on hard 17 or more.
- Hit on 12 to 16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher.
Common Blackjack Mistakes
- Taking insurance. Over time it is a losing side bet.
- Standing on 12 to 16 against a dealer 7 or higher because you fear busting.
- Splitting 10s and breaking up a 20.
- Raising the stake after a loss to win it back.
- Not checking whether the table pays 3 to 2 or less for blackjack.
Blackjack Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Natural / blackjack | Ace plus a 10 value card as the first two cards |
| Hit | Take another card |
| Stand | Keep your total |
| Double down | Double the stake for exactly one more card |
| Split | Turn a pair into two hands |
| Bust | A total over 21 |
| Push | A tie with the dealer; stake returned |
| Soft hand | A hand with an ace counted as 11 |
| Hole card | The dealer's face down card |
Blackjack in Jaiho Arcade
These rules are general and written by our editorial team. Our Jaiho Arcade game list places Blackjack on the cards and board shelf. Lobbies change, so check it in the app. Deck count, dealer rules and payouts are shown in the game before you play. Browse all games, read How we review apps to see how our pages are put together, and reach Jaiho Arcade support in the app if a hand settled incorrectly.
Blackjack for money is for adults 18 and over only, and you can lose your stake on any hand. Our responsible gaming guide covers limits and breaks.
