Blackjack Rules Guide

Blackjack is a popular casino game that must be approached with skill and even strategy. It’s one of the most frequently played games because it has a relatively low house edge compared to other games, but if you play your cards right, you might reduce it even further and have a better chance of beating the dealer.

In our blackjack rules guide, you’ll find crucial information for beginners on the rules of blackjack, how the game is played, and how these rules may vary in popular games like European Blackjack, Vegas Downtown Blackjack, and others.

How Does Blackjack Work?

Blackjack is an iconic casino game where the odds of winning depend on luck and strategy. Although this game isn’t just about chance, it’s fairly easy to play once you learn the basic blackjack rules and understand how the game works.

Here’s an overview of how blackjack works and some key features to take note of:

• Blackjack is always played against the dealer. You’re never competing against the players at the table.
• The goal is to beat the dealer by getting a higher hand total than theirs without exceeding 21 points.
• If your cards total more than 21, you go bust and lose the game.
• Cards have different values in blackjack (explained in the next section).
• Colour-coded chips with different values are used to place your bets on the table and join the game.

The Card Values in Blackjack

🃏 Card	🔢 Value
2 – 10	Face value
King, Queen, Jack (face cards)	10
Ace	1 or 11, depending on the hand’s value

The Rules of Blackjack

The following sections will explain the standard blackjack rules for hit and stand, splitting, doubling, and so on. Remember that some variations may be found in different game versions, so you should always check the game rules before playing.

Hitting Rules

Once your first two cards are dealt, you have the option to hit and take another card. There are no rules for how many times you can hit on your initial card, but if you exceed 21, you’ll immediately be out of the game. Your original bet remains the same when you hit.

Standing Rules

Another game option on your first two cards is to stand, which means you keep your original two cards and play your hand as it is. Generally, this option is taken if you can’t hit without a hit chance of busting, if the dealer has a very low card, or if you have a strong hand.

Pair Splitting Rules

If you’re dealt a pair, you typically have the option to split it and form two new hands. Depending on the game’s rules, you may be able to split pairs up to three times. When splitting, you must add an additional wager equal to your original bet.

Doubling Down Rules

Doubling down refers to doubling your original bet when dealt a strong hand. It’s usually done on a hard nine, 10, or 11, although it depends on what the dealer shows. It should be noted that doubling down will add a third card to your hand.

Surrender Rules

Some casinos provide the option of surrendering in blackjack. This means you give up half your original bet if you’re dealt a bad hand. Your cards are taken in this case, and you skip playing in that round. Surrendering isn’t always offered, so be sure to check the game rules before you play.

The Even Money Rule

Taking even money refers to the insurance bet which is offered if the dealer has an Ace. This is done to ‘insure’ your bet in case the dealer gets blackjack, in which case you get even money rather than losing your entire bet. However, the blackjack insurance rules state that you lose the bet (which costs half your original stake) if the dealer doesn’t get blackjack.

European Blackjack Rules

European blackjack is a popular game variant and fairly common at casinos in the UK. The European blackjack rules differ significantly from the more popular and common American variant.

Below, we’ve outlined the casino blackjack rules specific to European blackjack:

• The dealer doesn’t get a hole card. The second card is dealt after every player has played their hand.
• Dealer stands on soft 17.
• Splitting is only allowed once on same-character face cards.
• Doubling down is allowed on a total of nine, 10, or 11 only.
• If the dealer gets blackjack, they beat any player with a total of 21 unless the player also gets a blackjack, in which case the result is a push.

Vegas Downtown Blackjack Rules

Vegas Downtown Blackjack is a fun blackjack game that’s very similar to the format used in the downtown area of Las Vegas, hence the name. Many of the rules are similar to the classic version, but some of the basic blackjack rules are different, as explained below:

• Vegas Downtown Blackjack is played with two decks.
• Dealer will hit on a soft 17 but will stand on a hard 17.
• You can double down on any two initial cards.
• Doubling down after splitting is allowed.
• Dealer peeks at their face down card if they have an Ace.

American Blackjack Rules

If you want to play blackjack with the most ‘standard’ rules you may already be familiar with, the American variant is a great place to start. The rules of blackjack in the American version are summarised below:

• Six to eight decks are used in this game.
• The blackjack dealer rules are that they must stand on a soft 17.
• You can split pairs up to three times, but Aces can only be split once.
• Late surrender is allowed.
• The blackjack double down rules are much more flexible in this variant because you can do so on any hand.
• The dealer’s face down card is checked if they have an Ace or ten value card.

The Rules of Blackjack Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a unique variant with different playing options, payouts, and rules. Playing blackjack with Spanish 21 rules differs from any regular blackjack game.

Let’s look at the blackjack 21 rules you should be aware of before you play.

• The ten cards are removed from each deck.
• If you reach a total of 21, you always beat the dealer, even if they get a natural blackjack.
• Spanish 21 blackjack table rules allow you to double down after you’ve hit any number of cards.
• Late surrender is also allowed. If you surrender, you get half your original bet back and leave the round.

Multi-Hand Blackjack Rules

Multi-Hand Blackjack is another fun version of the traditional game suitable for advanced players who have mastered basic strategy and are familiar with the basic blackjack card game rules.

The Multi-Hand variant has very simple blackjack rules, summarised below:

• You can play between one and five hands in this game.
• Most casinos allow you to place different-sized bets for each hand. You can also place an equal bet for each one.
• Blackjack split rules for multi-hand games allow you to split pairs up to three times, but Aces can only be split once.
• The usual blackjack dealing rules apply. Players get two face-up cards, while the dealer’s hand comprises both a face-up card and a face-down one.

Multi-Deck Blackjack Rules

Multi-Deck blackjack games are very common at most casinos. Many of the variants described so far are played with multiple decks. The majority of the standard rules and strategies can be applied to multi-deck games.

• 4-Deck Blackjack – This game uses four standard 52-card decks, and it’s the least common variant in this category.
• 6-Deck Blackjack – Multi-deck games which use six decks are the most common, but they give the casino a bigger edge.
• 8-Deck Blackjack – Eight-deck blackjack games are also very common but not popular amongst players who like to play blackjack using the card counting method.

If you’re following basic strategy, there are some minor differences between a single deck game and multiple decks. We’ve listed some of these below:

• In single-deck blackjack, basic strategy states you should double down on a hard nine if the dealer’s card is a two. The correct move is to hit in a game with four to eight decks.
• Basic strategy states you should hit on a hard 15 if the dealer has a 10 in a single deck game, but with multiple decks, the strategy suggests surrendering if allowed.
• In single-deck blackjack, basic strategy states you should stand on 19 on any dealer’s card, but double on 19 if the dealer has a six in multi-deck games.

What You Need to Know About the Blackjack Rules Before Playing?

Properly understanding the general blackjack rules and card values is crucial before playing blackjack for real money.  You’ll also want to remember that while most of the basic rules apply whenever you play blackjack, variations depend on the game version chosen.

Before you play blackjack at an online casino in the UK, be sure to read the game’s rules carefully and check the rules for the dealer’s hand to choose a game with favourable odds. Finally, remember that basic strategy can help you beat the dealer and reduce the house edge slightly if followed accurately.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about Blackjack Rules