Game Rules
BlackjackBeat the dealer, not 21

Get your hand as close to 21 as possible without going over — beat the dealer.

Players1 – 7
Duration5 – 15 min
Deck52 cards · 1–6 decks
LevelEasy
I · The Idea

Closer to 21
than the dealer

I

Blackjack is the most popular banking game in the world. Every player plays against the dealer — not against the other players. The goal: a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's, without going over 21.

A Blackjack (Ace + face card or 10) right after the deal wins automatically with an increased payout — usually 3:2.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Place the bet
Every player places their bet before cards are dealt.
2
Deal the cards
Every player gets 2 face-up cards, the dealer 1 face-up and 1 face-down.
3
Remember card values
Face cards = 10, Ace = 1 or 11 (your choice), number cards = face value.
Before you start

Basic Strategy (the mathematically optimal decision for every hand) can be learned and significantly reduces the house edge.

III · Card Values
The decisions
you have
III
H
Hit
Take a card
Take another card to get closer to 21.
S
Stand
Stay put
Settle for the current hand and take no more cards.
D
Double Down
Double the bet
Double your bet and receive exactly one more card.
Sp
Split
Split the hand
With two matching cards: split the hand into two separate hands.
IV · Gameplay

Turn by
turn

IV
1
Evaluate your hand
Calculate the value of your first two cards — Ace counts as 1 or 11.
2
Make a decision
Hit, Stand, Double Down or Split — depending on your hand and the dealer's card.
3
Dealer plays
Once all players are done: the dealer reveals the face-down card and draws by fixed rules.
4
Compare
Whoever is closer to 21 without going over wins against the dealer.
5
Payout
Win against the dealer: 1:1 payout. Blackjack (Ace + 10-value on the deal): 3:2 payout. Over 21 (Bust): automatic loss, regardless of the dealer.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Blackjack is played in casinos worldwide with slightly different rules.

S17
Dealer Stands Soft 17
Dealer stands on soft 17 instead of hitting — more player-friendly.
H17
Dealer Hits Soft 17
Dealer hits on soft 17 — higher house edge.
S
Spanish 21
Variant without 10s in the deck, but with bonus rules.
∅
Without Double Down
House rule variant without the doubling option.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy tips
+

Learn the Basic Strategy for every combination of your hand and the dealer's card — it is mathematically optimal and significantly reduces the house edge.

+

Double your bet on a strong starting hand (e.g. 10 or 11 points) against a weak dealer card.

+

Always split Aces and Eights when Split is available — both make significantly better starting hands on their own.

+

With a weak hand against a strong dealer card, keep hitting consistently instead of standing out of fear of busting.

Common mistakes
–

Standing with 16 points against a weak dealer card, even though hitting would be mathematically better.

–

Misjudging the Ace's flexibility (1 or 11) and busting a hand that was actually safe.

–

Taking Insurance regularly — statistically it's almost always a losing bet for the player.

–

Playing by feel without Basic Strategy — this significantly increases the house edge compared to optimal play.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching decks
Get the right deck

Blackjack is fast and exciting — with a solid deck ready to face the house.

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