Blackjack Rules – How to Play Blackjack

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Written by Dmytro Sipko | last updated 13 November 2025

Although it may seem simple on the surface, blackjack is a deep and complicated game with several intricate features that make thousands of players wish to master its inner workings. Before they become 21 pros, people first have to learn the basic rules of this great pastime.

Blackjack game

Table of content

How to Play Blackjack Step by Step

To ease newcomers into the game, our experts would like to explain a typical session. Whether the players choose a video option or a live one, the process is essentially the same.

Join a table Join a table

Once people go through all of the hurdles of account creation and add some funds to bet on Aussie blackjack games, they can check out one of the many titles at the best online pokies. Those completely new to this genre should focus on digital BJ offers.

These titles have demo versions, which allow account holders to experience the full range of notions we cover on this page without spending a cent of their funds. Plus, they offer a great way of practicing blackjack online that live offers don’t.

Place bets Place bets

Once the game loads, aspirants place bets using pokie chips of different values. Depending on the max and min bets at a particular game, they can go big or play it safe. Once they make the bet, a digital croupier will deal their first two cards.

Hit or Stand Hit or Stand

At this point, people decide whether to get more cards or stand with their current bet. During this stage, it’s vital to assess one’s hand and the dealer's to decide appropriately. For example, if the initial cards have a value of 20, there’s no need to hit again.

Witness the dealer action Witness the dealer action

Once the person decides how they wish to proceed, the croupier starts adding cards to their own hand. Going over 21 results in an automatic loss for the house. But if the hand is even 1 point more than the user's, the dealer wins.

Wait for the outcome Wait for the outcome

Now that both hands are clearly visible, the result determines the winning and losing sides. Once the game is over, players can choose to start again or leave the card table to cool off and recollect themselves.

Main Blackjack Rules

In an online environment, this game follows the same rules as in real pokies. Its main goal? Ensure the player's hand is higher than the croupier’s but isn’t more than 21. Every time punters go above this number, they lose automatically, which is also true for the dealer. Since neither party knows which cards go next, the house and its guests have fair chances.

The main rule of blackjack is to ensure the player's hand is higher than the croupier’s, but isn’t more than 21. Every time punters go above this number, they lose automatically, which is also true for the dealer.

Each round begins with both sides of the table getting two cards. Punter ones usually lie face up, one dealer card is revealed, and one is kept a secret. During each match of a blackjack game, people use virtual chips to place bets of different values, depending on the minimum and maximum limits at a particular video game or live offer.

Blackjack rules

​Crucial Blackjack Terms

Like poker and baccarat, this game has several notions aspiring punters have to know to master it. Some of them relate to the core rules, while others describe additional betting opportunities for gamblers. Here’s how they work.

Blackjack card values

The cornerstone of this game is the card combinations that let users win or lose. Just like in poker, the suits of spades, aces, diamonds, or hearts play no part in the value of different cards. To make it easier for newcomers, our experts have made this little table explaining how each type of card counts.

AcesCan count as either 1 or 11, depending on the hand.
10s, Kings, Queens, JacksThese cards count as 10 points.
Cards numbered 2-9Have their own value, so 2 is always a 2, and so on.

Please note!

A combination of Ace + King/Other 10-valued cards is called a natural, which is the highest hand in the game. Even if a player’s hand equals 21, the house can still win because this combo is valued higher.

Blackjack insurance

During the game, people can bet half of their original bet to gamble if the croupier has a 21 in their hands. This only happens when there’s an ace lying face up on the side of the house. If their hunch pays off, users can get double the amount of their half-bet in a 2-1 payoff.

In this scenario, the hand is over unless the user also has a 21. In this case, the house still wins as they have a natural 21, as we’ve explained before. Of course, such blackjack side bets are highly risky, and there’s a chance that people will forfeit all of their funds.

Blackjack double down

Whenever players have a hand of two cards with a total between 9 and 11, they can place a bet double their original wager. But, in this case, the dealer delivers only one card that’s placed face down and remains that way until the round ends.

There are times when this option is completely unviable. The biggest example of a double down in blackjack would be when a croupier’s hand already has an ace. There’s a 50/50 chance the other card will land him a 21, meaning the user will lose twice the money.

Blackjack splitting pairs

In this game, people can sometimes get two initial cards with the same value, e.g., a Jack and a 10 (20), a 6 and a 6 (12), and so on. In this case, users can split the hand into two during their turn. Should they choose to, their initial bet, say 50, will also double to 100.

After the dealer splits the hand, people must decide if they wish to stand or get another hit on each of the two. If one of them goes over 21, they forfeit half the bet; both - they lose to the house. However, when things are the other way around, people can get 2x their wager.

Why rules of blackjack matter

These rules and terms are essential to playing this interesting card game successfully and reaping the rewards at online pokies. They are crucial components of many blackjack strategies that novices and hardened veterans alike use to give themselves an edge over the house and its dealers, both digital and real.

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FAQ

What are the basic rules of blackjack?

The main principle of this game is to have a hand that’s higher than the dealer's. Ideally, the punter should have a winning combo of Ace + King/Queen/Jack. Anything above 21 results in a bust for the player or the dealer.

What is ace in blackjack?

An ace is the only type of card in this game with a double value: 1 or 11, depending on the circumstance. It’s also the only card that results in the highest winning combination with cards of 10-value.

What is insurance in blackjack?

Punters can claim insurance whenever a croupier has a visible ace on the table. They can place half of their current bet on the fact that the next card will land a real 21. Should they guess right, the club will give them a 2-1 payout.

What is double down in blackjack?

In online twenty-one, this move allows players to double their bet under special circumstances. This can only happen if the current hand has a value of 9, 10, or 11. In this case, punters get only one extra card and can’t ask for another hit.

Dmytro Sipko photo
Dmytro Sipko Head iGaming Expert
I have over 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. At Pokiesworld, I handle in-depth analysis of brands and bonus promotions.