Casino & Table Games
Blackjack
A casino banking card game where each player tries to outscore the dealer by building a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over.
- Target
- 21; hands over 21 bust.12
- Card values
- Numbered cards at face value; tens and face cards count 10; aces count 1 or 11.12
- Natural blackjack
- A starting two-card 21 is the strongest hand and usually pays 3 to 2.23
- 6-to-5 payout
- A 6-to-5 blackjack payout costs the player 1.4% on average compared to 3 to 2.4
Key points
- Players act first, choosing to hit, stand, double down or split; the dealer then acts under fixed rules.25
- If the player busts, the hand is lost immediately; if the dealer busts, all remaining players win.25
- A blackjack (or natural) is a two-card 21 — an ace with a ten-value card — and beats any other 21.12
- Basic strategy charts show the mathematically optimal play for every hand and are widely used by players.6
Card values in blackjack
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 or 11 |
| 2–9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
How a hand of blackjack is played
- Place a bet. The dealer gives two cards to each player and two to themselves (one face up).
- If you have a natural (ace + ten-value card), you win unless the dealer also has a natural.
- Otherwise, choose to hit (take another card) or stand (keep your total). You may also double down or split pairs.
- If your total exceeds 21, you bust and lose your bet. If you stand, the dealer reveals their hand and must hit until reaching 17 or higher.
- The higher non-busting total wins. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win.
Common questions
What is insurance blackjack?
Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer's face-up card is an ace. It pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has a natural, but it is generally a poor bet for the player.
What is a blackjack weapon?
A blackjack weapon is a small, weighted club used by law enforcement. It is unrelated to the card game.
What is a blackjack in blackjack?
A blackjack (or natural) is a two-card hand totalling 21 — an ace with a ten-value card. It is the strongest hand and usually pays 3 to 2.
What is double down blackjack?
Doubling down allows you to double your original bet after seeing your first two cards, in exchange for receiving exactly one more card. It is a common strategic move.
Where this term is used
Not the same as
- Blackjack hand chart — a reference card showing optimal plays, not the game itself
Related terms
Sources
- Blackjack en.wikipedia.org Provides the definition, target number, card values, natural blackjack and payout information.
- Blackjack wizardofodds.com Confirms the rules, card values, natural blackjack and payout details.
- ブラックジャック jp.wizardofodds.com Supports the natural blackjack payout and general rules.
- Learn Blackjack with Michael Shackleford - Wizard of Odds wizardofodds.com Provides the 1.4% cost of a 6-to-5 payout.
- Basic Strategy for Some Simplified Blackjack Variants arxiv.org Supports the description of player and dealer actions.
- Card counting en.wikipedia.org Supports the mention of basic strategy charts.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.