Card-game guide

Blackjack

Blackjack compares each player's total with the dealer's total. The usual aim is to finish closer to 21 than the dealer without exceeding 21. Cards 2 through 10 count at face value, face cards count as 10, and an ace can count as 1 or 11.

Rules such as the dealer's required draw on a soft 17, number of decks, and the availability of split, double, or surrender vary by table. Read the current rule screen first.

A Blackjack hand in brief

You are normally dealt an opening hand and choose whether to take another card (hit) or keep the current total (stand). Going over 21 is a bust. The dealer follows the table's fixed drawing rule, then eligible hands are compared.

Natural blackjack

An ace plus a ten-value card in the first two cards is commonly called a blackjack; check the table's payout and tie rule.

Soft totals

A hand with an ace counted as 11 is soft. The ace may switch to 1 if treating it as 11 would make the total exceed 21.

Optional actions

Split, double, insurance, and surrender are table-specific. Never assume an option exists before the table displays it.

Rules matter more than a chart

Basic decision charts depend on the exact table rules, especially the dealer's soft-17 rule and the deck count. A chart for a different version may not apply. Read the table limits and game information, and set a session limit before starting.

Blackjack FAQ

What value does an ace have?

An ace can count as 1 or 11, whichever makes the hand valid and more useful under the rules.

What happens if both sides have the same total?

That is generally a push, but the exact settlement should be confirmed in the table rules.

Can previous cards guarantee the next result?

No. Follow the current table rules and do not treat a prior hand as a promise about the next one.

Yono Rummy and Yonorummy are two common spellings for the same platform name on this site.