
How to Play Blackjack in 6 Simple Steps
Blackjack is easy to learn once you understand the flow of each round. Follow these six simple steps to see how a typical game is played, from placing your first bet to collecting your winnings.
Place Your Bet
Choose your betting amount and place your chips in the betting area before the dealer begins dealing the cards.
Receive Your Cards
The dealer gives two cards to each player and two cards to themselves, with one dealer card usually revealed.
Make Your Decision
Choose whether to Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, or Surrender based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard.
Dealer Plays
After all players finish their turns, the dealer reveals the hidden card and follows the house rules to complete the hand.
Compare Hands
Hands closest to 21 without busting beat the dealer. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win.
Collect Your Winnings
Winning bets are paid according to the game rules, while tied hands usually result in a push with your original bet returned.
The best time to learn Blackjack is before playing with real money. Understanding the game flow and basic decisions will help you play with greater confidence and reduce common beginner mistakes.
Basic Strategy Chart
Basic strategy helps you choose the best action based on your hand and the dealer’s visible card. This simplified chart shows when to Hit, Stand, or Double Down in common Blackjack situations.
| Your Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 or less | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
| 9 | H | D | D | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
| 10 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H | H |
| 11 | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | H |
| 12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 13–16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
| 17+ | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |




