1. Basic Blackjack Table
2. Blackjack Basic Strategy Table

15 rules and rituals they don’t teach you in the books

Basic Blackjack Table

Blackjack strategy chart Basic strategy differs slightly depending on how many decks are in the shoe (the box that holds the cards at the blackjack table). Most land-based or online casinos will. Usually in blackjack, the dealer must hit on 16 and stand on 17. These rules are slightly different for other variations of twenty-one. So generally, the odds of the dealer's final score being 16 are 0% because he must hit. This table will show the probability of the dealer busting or getting a non-bust hand as well as natural blackjacks.

by Rob Wiser

I remember my first visit to Atlantic City, many years ago. It was on the Boardwalk that I stepped inside a casino for the first time, packing a pocketful of cash with visions of beating the house.

Blackjack was the game I wanted to play. I’d read about it in books and understood the basics, but, as I witnessed an actual game in progress, I grew nervous. Beyond the rules of play—hitting, standing, doubling down—the game seemed to have a set of silent rules and rituals that the books didn’t explain. The strange hand motions, the prohibition on touching the cards, the process of exchanging cash for chips…I was afraid that if I sat down and fumbled any of these unwritten laws, I would interrupt the flow of the game and look like a fool.

Too intimidated to sit down and play, I wound up sticking with the slot machines. It wasn’t until I moved to Las Vegas that I learned the etiquette of casino gambling. I also realized that a large number of players avoid the blackjack tables—which can be your best bet in the casino—because of the intimidation factor. So with this in mind, let’s run down some of the basics of gambling etiquette so you can play with the confidence of a pro.

Bear in mind, if you do accidentally break one of these rules, no one is going to scold you or kick you out of the casino. The dealer will simply remind you of the proper way to play.

1. Don’t hand your money to the dealer.

The overhead casino security cameras must be able to see all cash transactions. This is why you’re required to lay your cash down on the surface of the table. The dealer will spread out the money and count it so the cameras can see, then slide you their equivalent in chips. If you’re sitting down at a game in progress, wait until the current hand is completed before you lay your money down.

2. Don’t hold your cards with two hands.

In blackjack games where the cards are “pitched” to you and dealt face down (usually single- and two-deck games), you must pick the cards up with one hand, not with both. This rule is designed to prevent players from tampering with—or switching—their cards.

3. Never remove your cards from the table.

Your cards must always be in full view of the security cameras and the dealer. (Don’t, for example, hold them down by your lap.) Also…

4. Never touch your chips once the cards are being dealt.

Once you’ve placed your bet and the dealer begins to deal the cards, you are not allowed to touch your chips until the hand is played out. If you win or tie the hand, you are free to collect your chips or change your bet. If the dealer wins, he’s going to take your chips. Just remember, once the cards start being dealt, you cannot touch your wager until your hand is played out. (This prevents cheaters from changing their bet while the cards are in play.)

5. When the cards are dealt face up, don’t touch them.

In games that use four or more decks of cards, your cards are dealt face up. There is no reason for you to pick up or handle the cards, so just leave them alone. Which brings us to our next rule…

6. Signal your decision, don’t say it.

Again, for the security cameras, you must use hand signals to indicate to the dealer whether you want to hit or stand. Saying “hit” or “stand” isn’t enough. They need to see you make the signal. The dealer will show you the required signal if you’re new to the game. Or, just watch a hand as it’s being played out. A hit is a simple gesture that looks like “come here.” If you don’t want a hit, simply wave your hand, palm down, over your cards. To split or double down, place the required number of chips next to your original bet, and the dealer will do the rest. It’s intuitive.

7. It’s perfectly fine to ask the dealer’s advice.

Most dealers will be happy to tell you the mathematically correct play to make if you are unsure. The dealer’s job is not to beat you and relieve you of your money. His job is to run the game in a professional manner. Good dealers root for the players to win, since winners are much more likely to tip. Which brings us to the next point…

8. Don’t be stingy with tips.

There aren’t any set guidelines on how much or how often to tip your dealer. Just remember that dealers get paid a minimal hourly wage and live on tips. Contrary to popular belief, they derive no pleasure from seeing you lose (unless you’re being an obnoxious jerk). They don’t get a percentage of your losses. The dealer would much rather see you do well, enjoy yourself, and share the wealth a little. Once in a while (especially after winning a few hands in a row), tip the dealer the equivalent of your minimum bet—or more, if you’re feeling generous. You can simply slide a chip toward the dealer and say, “Here you go” or, “This is for you.” You can also place a bet for the dealer in front of your regular bet. This way, if you win the hand, the dealer wins the bet as well; a $5 tip becomes a much-appreciated $10 tip.

Realistically, if you’re getting your butt kicked, you’re not going to be inclined to tip the dealer who is wiping you out. This is understandable. But if you’re playing for an extended period of time, tip when you win a couple of hands or score a blackjack. It’s not required, but it does create a more pleasant playing environment (and may improve your blackjack karma).

9. Stack your chips correctly.

When you make a wager that includes two or more different denomination chips (for example, a $25 chip and two $5 chips), always place the higher denomination chip on the bottom of the stack and the lower ones on top. Otherwise, the dealer is going to have to stop and re-arrange them for you before he starts dealing the cards. It’s OK if you forget to do this once or twice, but some people can be downright annoying about it.

10. Don’t tell your fellow players how to play.

If the guy sitting next to you asks for your advice, feel free to tell him what you think. But it’s pretty bad form to tell other players what you think if they don’t ask. Sometimes you’ll find yourself playing alongside people who have no idea what they’re doing or make boneheaded decisions, such as splitting 10s. Resist the urge to groan. If it bothers you, either move to another table or remind yourself that the skill levels of your fellow players has no bearing on whether you ultimately win or lose. When the guy next to you keeps making dumb plays, it may seem like he’s “stealing” the cards you need and screwing up your hands, but in reality there’s just as good a chance that his bad plays will wind up helping you.

11. Cut the deck properly.

In six-deck games, after the dealer has finished shuffling the cards, he will ask one of the players to “cut” the deck. Insert the “cut card” at least a half-deck from either end of the stack. (In other words, aim near the middle of the deck.) If you try to cut the deck too close from either end, the dealer will ask you to cut it again, which holds the game up.

12. Check before you try to bet in the middle of a shoe.

Some casinos forbid you from sitting down and placing a wager when the game is midway through the shoe; you’re supposed to wait until the entire shoe is played out before you join the action. Check to see if the table has a sign that says, “No Mid-Shoe Entry.” If it does, and the shoe is in progress, you can go ahead and sit down, but don’t try to wager until the shoe is finished and the dealer starts reshuffling.

Finally, here are three more principles that might not fall under the category of “etiquette,” but they distinguish seasoned players from suckers:

13. Use basic strategy.

In blackjack, there is a mathematically correct way to play every possible hand. This playing strategy is readily available in books, on the Internet, and on strategy cards, which you can take with you when you play. (They are legal to use in a casino). Watch experts play blackjack, and very rarely will you see them pause to contemplate a move—it’s an automatic response. Memorize basic strategy, and you eliminate the guesswork. Occasionally, you might be tempted to deviate from it, and hit or stand because you’ve got a hunch, but basic strategy teaches the mathematically correct play in every situation. Hit that 16 against the dealer’s 10, as much as it may scare you, and, more often than not, you will win the hand.

14. Never play 6:5 games.

Veteran blackjack players despise this sneaky rule change that some casinos have instituted. Instead of paying the traditional 3:2 on untied blackjacks (when your first two cards total 21), you get paid 6:5. This means, on a $10 bet, you’d receive $12 instead of $15. This might not sound like a major difference, but it is. On average, you’ll receive a blackjack about four times per hour, and the diminished payout will cut significantly into your odds of walking away with a profit. The traditional 3:2 payout is one of the rules that make the game fair for players. You really shouldn’t play otherwise.

15. Avoid games that use a Continuous Shuffling Machine (CSM).

A “CSM” is a device that randomly shuffles the discards after every round has been played. This eliminates the need to reshuffle, which makes the game play much faster—about 20 percent more hands per hour. Since the math is on the casino’s side, this means that, in theory, you’ll lose 20 percent faster per hour. If you want to enjoy a good, long session at the table, avoid games where your hands-played-per-hour is going to be much higher than normal. This includes games with CSMs and/or extremely fast dealers. Instead, for a reasonably paced game, look at who’s playing. The more players sitting at your table, the slower the pace will be.

Blackjack is by far the most popular table game played at casinos around the world. Being able to trace its origins back to the 1600s, blackjack is also one of the longest-standing card games that has been played at casinos since it was invented.

There are a number of different variations which have each originated from different parts of the world. Blackjack is a particularly unique game because it puts every player at a single table against one dealer, as opposed to other table games which require players to face off against each other.

We have composed a number of extensive articles and resources dedicated specifically to the game of blackjack. Each of our articles are written by industry experts, game strategists and gambling enthusiasts. You can take a look at the following links to learn more about different blackjack variations, basic strategy, to find tips and more.

Blackjack Strategy Articles

Basic Blackjack Card Counting
Playing 3-2 vs 6-5 Blackjack
Playing Blackjack Online
Playing Live Dealer Blackjack

Types of Blackjack

Blackjack is not the name of one game, but rather an “umbrella” term used to cover several different types of the game. While the end goal of every blackjack variation is to reach (or come as close to reaching) 21 without going over, different versions of the game have slightly different rules which we’ll go over below.

Single-Deck Blackjack – This game is played with only one 52 card deck. If you are able to understand and play classic blackjack, chances are you will be able to master any of its variants.

European Blackjack – This game is played with two 52 card decks and is sometimes referred to as “double-deck” blackjack. This version of blackjack carries a house edge of .39% and most often requires the dealer to hit on soft 17’s. Like some other blackjack variants, European Blackjack only allows you to double with a 9 or 11.

Free Bet Blackjack – The most popular new variation in Las Vegas. This game allows players to double down on 9-11 for free. All splits may also be made for free, except on face cards. Resplits and double down after splitting are also on the house. In exchange for all of these great player friendly rules, the house pushes all hands that did not bust or get dealt a blackjack when a 22 is made by the dealer.

Change It 21 – Available at Fremont in downtown Las Vegas. This game allows players to pay 50% of the original bet in exchange for the ability to discard one of the first two dealt cards. Players may double down or split after receiving the new card. Double down after splitting is not permitted. This game pays 6-5 on blackjack.

Spanish 21 – Another commonly found variant of blackjack is known as Spanish 21. This game is played with 6-8 48 card “Spanish” decks. A Spanish deck is the same as a normal 52 card deck minus the four numerical 10 cards. The dealer is allowed to hit on a 17, but is not forced to do so like in European and classic blackjack. The house edge of Spanish 21 ranges between .40% and .76%.

Vegas Strip Blackjack – This variant is played with 4 standard decks of 52 cards. In this game the dealer is forced to stand on a soft 17 and is able to peek at his or her face-down card to see if they hit blackjack. The house edge on Vegas Strip or 4 deck blackjack is about .34%.

Atlantic City Blackjack – This form is similar to Vegas Strip, but it is played with 8 decks of 52 cards and has a marginally higher house edge of about .35%. Another difference between Atlantic City and Vegas Strip blackjack is that you are given the late surrender option, which allows you to quit the hand and recoup 50% of your original bet.

Blackjack Switch – This is an interesting variation of the game because each player is dealt two hands and are able to interchange cards between the two dealt hands. The game is played with 6-8 decks of 52 cards and allows players to place two separate bets of equal size. You are able to double on any two cards and the dealer is forced to hit on soft 17.

Double Exposure Blackjack – This variation has one of the highest house edges at .69%, making it one of the toughest types of blackjack to win. Double Exposure is played with 8 decks of 52 cards. Both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up and the dealer is forced to hit on soft 17. Players are only able to double on 9 and 11; even if they have already split.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Table

War Blackjack – More of a side bet than a game. Unlike most blackjack side bets, a winning War Blackjack wager may be parlayed into the original bet. The War bet is similar to the standard home card game. The dealer gives the player one card, as well as himself. The highest card wins. In the blackjack version, an ace is low and the house wins all ties. The player has the option to take any winning bet out of action or use it to parlay the original bet. The two bets must be equal. Once the War bet is graded, the other card is dealt to the player and dealer.

Most Liberal 21 – Often referred to as the World’s Most Liberal 21, is only available at two downtown Las Vegas casinos. The game is owned by the parent company of Plaza and Las Vegas Club. The game offers several player friendly rules. These include the ability to hit and resplit aces. Players may also double down on any number of cards. Surrender is available. A player that makes a hand of 6 cards without busting automatically wins. In exchange for these rules, blackjack only pays even money, except on suited blackjacks, which pays 2-1.

Basic Blackjack Rules

When playing blackjack, the player begins by placing a wager and is subsequently dealt two cards. The sum of those two cards will range anywhere from 4-21. If the initial two cards you are dealt consist of an ace and any face card (including a numerical 10), you will automatically be paid because you just hit blackjack.

If you get blackjack will either be paid 6:5 or 3:2 of your initial bet, which we’ll go over more in the next section. If the cards you are dealt do not constitute blackjack, then you will be forced to choose between hitting and standing.

If you stand, you are hoping that your initially dealt two cards will be greater than the dealer’s final total, or you are hoping that the dealer will bust (have his or her cards total over 21). If you hit, you will receive another card in addition to your first two dealt cards. If you hit and the sum of your cards exceeds 21, you lose. You may hit as many times as you would like so long as the sum of your cards does not exceed 21.

Blackjack Payouts

Blackjack has a few different payout ratios depending on the cards you end up with. If your first two cards do not constitute blackjack and you are able to outlast a dealer who busts, or have a higher total than the dealer, your payout will be 1:1. This means you will win an amount equal to your bet. So for example: if you beat the dealer and had a $10 bet out on the table, you will win $10.

When the first two cards you’re dealt DO constitute blackjack, there is a slightly better payout structure than the even money offered to players who simply outlast the dealer. Blackjack typically pays out at 3:2 odds, meaning if you hit blackjack you will receive 1.5x your original bet. For example, if you wagered $20 and hit blackjack, you will win $30. Some tables only pay 6:5, which you should try to avoid for obvious reasons. This also means you should thoroughly inspect the rules before sitting down and playing at any blackjack table.

Buying Insurance

Apart from the two payouts we went over above, the only other one you need to be familiar with is called an insurance payout. Insurance is simply a side bet wagered by a player who thinks the dealer has blackjack. This option is only available when the dealer is showing an ace. If the player is correct and the dealer does in fact have blackjack, the payout will be 2:1. For example, if you make a $10 insurance bet and the dealer has blackjack, you will win $20.

It is important to keep in mind that there are some variations to the payouts made for hitting blackjack at casinos. For example, some Las Vegas casinos only offer a 6:5 blackjack payout at certain tables. The 6:5 payout is usually only associated with single-deck games and is employed as a way of mitigating any advantage a player may derive from counting cards.

It must also be noted that when playing Double Exposure blackjack, all wins pay out 1:1, including blackjack.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is not a game heavily reliant on skill like Texas Hold’em or most other forms of poker, though there is still some basic strategy every player will do well to learn. Blackjack strategy consists of taking into consideration your hand relative to the dealer’s single face-up card. In games where both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face-up, your moves will depend much more on the cards you hold.

“Soft” vs “Hard” Hands

Before discussing actual strategy, players must know the difference between a soft and a hard hand. A soft hand is any hand that contains at least one ace, while a hard hand is a hand that contains no aces or contains an ace that is forced to count as 1. The softness or hardness of your hand will help you decide how to wager and what moves to make.

To keep things simple, we will discuss strategy in terms of soft hands first and then hard hands. If you are dealt a hard hand in the range of 4-8, it goes without saying that you should hit every time. If you are dealt a hard nine, however, you will either double or hit depending on the dealer’s one face-up card. If the dealer’s face-up card is between 2 and 6, it is advised that you double down, whereas if the dealer has anything superior to a 7, you should hit. With a hard 10 or 11, it is almost always advised that you double down on your bet if you are able to.

A player dealt a hard hand ranging from 12-16 you should stand so long as the dealer’s one face-up card is no greater than 6. If, however, the dealer is working with a face-up card of 7 or more, you should hit, even though you risk busting. Finally, if you are dealt hard hands in the range of 17-21 you should stay every time.

The strategy behind soft hands says that if your hand is between 13-15, you should hit every time regardless of what the dealer’s face-up card is. If you have a soft 16-18 and the dealer’s face-up card is less than 7, you should double down. If you have the same soft 16-18 and the dealer’s card is 7 or greater, you should hit. Finally, any soft hand 19 or greater is a sign that you should stand.

Splitting Your Hand

Splitting is another strategic move in blackjack, and should only be done with certain card hands. If you have pocket 2s, 3s, 6s, 7s, or 9s, it is advised that you split so long as the dealers’ one face-up card is below 7. If you have pocket 8s or aces, you should double no matter what the dealer’s face-up card is. Finally, with 4s, 5s, and 10s it is highly suggested that you never split. For those who are unaware, splitting involves turning your one hand with two cards into two separate hands totaling 4 cards. If you split, you are able to place a wager on both of your new hands and have the chance to win twice.

Learning Basic Strategy to Lower House Edge

In summation, blackjack is the world’s most popular table game and can be found at casinos all over the globe. Though there are a number of variations available, having knowledge of and understanding how to properly play the classic version of blackjack will help you immensely when trying to play any of its derivatives. Despite the fact that blackjack is a game based much more on luck than skill, there is still a good bit of strategy involved. If you take the time to understand blackjack strategy, even in its most basic form, you will be doing yourself a service that can take you a long way.