Blackjack rules and how to play

The goal of blackjack is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Here is everything: what each card is worth, every move you can make, how the dealer plays, and what wins pay.

Try it for free: play solo against the dealer, practice with the coach, or open a table for up to 7 friends.

The aim

Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. An ace and a ten-card as your first two cards is a "blackjack" and pays 3 to 2.

Card values

Cards 2 to 10 count their number, kings, queens and jacks 10, an ace 1 or 11 (whichever is better). A hand with an ace counting 11 is "soft", shown like 7/17.

A round

Place your bet and tap Deal. You and the dealer get two cards each; one of the dealer's is face down. Cards come from a six-deck shoe that is reshuffled when a quarter is left.

Your moves

Hit: another card. Stand: keep what you have. Double: double your bet and take exactly one card (on any two cards, also after a split). Split: make a pair of equal cards into two hands (up to 4 hands; aces once, one card each). Surrender: on your first two cards, give up the hand and get half your bet back.

The dealer

The dealer must draw to 16 and stand on 17 and up, soft 17 too. With an ace or a ten showing, the dealer first checks for blackjack.

Insurance

When the dealer shows an ace you can insure for half your bet. It pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack.

Payouts

• Blackjack!: 3:2
• Win: 1:1
• Insurance: 2:1
• Surrendered: Half the bet back

Pairs

Bets that your first two cards are a pair. Paid as soon as the cards are dealt.

21+3

Your first two cards and the dealer's up card, as a three-card poker hand.