Master blackjack's rules, variations, and odds. The only site you need — from first hand to counting cards.
Blackjack is a card game played against the dealer. Your goal: get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Simple concept — deep strategy.
Before any cards are dealt, place your bet within the table's minimum and maximum limits. This is your only action before seeing any cards.
Each player and the dealer receive two cards. Player cards are typically face-up; the dealer has one card face-up and one face-down (the "hole card").
Based on your total and the dealer's upcard, choose to Hit (take a card), Stand (take no more cards), Double Down, Split pairs, or Surrender.
After all players act, the dealer reveals the hole card. Dealers must Hit on 16 or less and Stand on 17 or more — no discretion allowed.
Beat the dealer's total without busting and you win 1:1. A natural blackjack (Ace + 10-value card) pays 3:2. Tie is a push — your bet is returned.
If your hand exceeds 21, you bust and lose your bet immediately — even if the dealer also busts later. This is the house's primary edge.
Not all blackjack games are equal. House rules, number of decks, and side bets dramatically affect the odds. Know your game before you play.
House edge: ~0.5%
The standard game found in most casinos. Typically played with 6–8 decks. Best starting point for new players with straightforward rules and the best odds.
House edge: ~0.39%
Common in European casinos. Key difference: the dealer does not take a hole card until all players have acted, meaning you can lose double-down and split bets to a dealer blackjack.
House edge: ~0.40%
Played with a 48-card "Spanish" deck — all 10s removed. Compensates with generous bonus payouts and liberal rules. Player 21 always beats dealer 21.
House edge: ~0.17%
You play two hands simultaneously and may swap the second card of each hand. Dealer 22 is a push (not a bust). One of the lowest house edges available.
House edge: ~0.69%
Both dealer cards are face-up from the start. Sounds like a huge advantage, but the house compensates with strict rules: ties lose (except blackjack ties push).
House edge: ~0.38%
A British variant with different terminology and unique rules. "Pontoon" (blackjack) and "Five Card Trick" (5 cards without busting) both beat a dealer 21.
Enter your hand and the dealer's upcard to get real-time probability estimates and the statistically optimal play recommendation.
Add cards to your hand and set the dealer's upcard to receive a strategy recommendation based on basic strategy.
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal play for every hand combination. Using it consistently reduces the house edge to around 0.5%. Memorise it or use it as a reference.
Assumes 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed.