Blackjack Basic Rules

Basic blackjack rules, or the rules of “21,” are fairly straightforward and not as difficult to learn as many other types of card games. There are few variations in blackjack basic rules, whether playing with family, friends, or in a casino. The fundamental objective in all blackjack basic rules is to get a score of “21,” or beat the dealer without going over 21.

Blackjack basic rules begin with an understanding of the values of the cards. The Ace can be counted as either one or eleven; the King, Queen, Jack, and ten each count as ten, and two through nine are the values shown on the card itself. Blackjack basic rules do not distinguish between card suits; they have no bearing on the values. Furthermore, the value of the Ace, whether one or eleven, does not have to be declared, and it is your choice as to which gives you the better hand. The term “soft Ace” in blackjack basic rules means that you can take another card, a “hit,” using the Ace as a one or an eleven. The total of the cards you have can be any combination, as long as the next cards dealt do not put you over twenty-one, which is called a “bust.”

The dealer will deal two cards to each player, either both face up, with an automatic dealer or “shoe,” or face down, with a hands-on dealer. The dealer will also receive two cards, and turn one card face up. The strategy then in blackjack basic rules is how to play your hand based on the dealer’s card that is showing and what his other card may be. If the first two cards you are dealt, and only the first two, add up to 21, this is a blackjack or a “natural,” in blackjack basic rules. Natural blackjacks are rare, but when you have one, turn your cards over immediately, smile, and wait for the dealer to pay.

There are three main plays to learn in blackjack basic rules: hit, stand, or surrender. If you decide to surrender or fold your hand, you do so before any more cards are dealt, and this discontinues any further play of your hand. Taking a hit in blackjack basic rules is often no more than an educated guess as to what your next card will be and what the dealer may have. If you feel the hand you hold is enough to beat the dealer without taking any more cards, then you indicate a stand. In most cases the dealer must hit on a 16 and stand on a 17.

Blackjack basic rules get more involved with other options, such as Splitting Pairs, Doubling Down, and buying insurance against the dealer’s possible blackjack. The general blackjack basic rule in splitting pairs enables you to play two separate hands. There are a number of ways to split pairs in blackjack basic rules, but one rule in particular is to always split Aces, for the possibility of getting 21. The term “blackjack” is not used in this instance of 21. If you have a total of 10 or 11 in the two cards you were dealt, it is usually a good idea to double down, or double your bet, especially if the dealer’s upcard is a five. Buying insurance is seldom advisable for most players.

The basic rules are fairly easy to remember, even for the most inexperienced player. Since you are playing your hand only against the dealer, there is no concern over other players’ hands. If you follow the basic rules, it’s a great game to play.

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