BLACKJACK BASICS
BACK TO HUBLearn the Game Before You Train
This guide teaches you everything you need to know about blackjack before starting the training modules. No prior knowledge required.
1. The Objective
The goal of blackjack is simple: beat the dealer's hand without going over 21.
You win by:
- Having a higher total than the dealer (without exceeding 21)
- The dealer going over 21 ("busting") while you stay at 21 or under
- Getting a "blackjack" (Ace + 10-value card) when the dealer doesn't
You lose by:
- Going over 21 (you "bust" and lose immediately)
- Having a lower total than the dealer when the round ends
If you and the dealer have the same total, it's a push (tie) and your bet is returned.
2. Card Values
Every card has a point value:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | Face value (2 = 2 points, etc.) |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 10 points each |
| Ace | 1 or 11 (your choice) |
A soft hand contains an Ace counted as 11. Example: A + 6 = soft 17. A hard hand has no Ace, or an Ace that must count as 1 to avoid busting. Example: 10 + 7 = hard 17.
3. How a Hand Plays Out
- Place your bet before cards are dealt
- Receive two cards face-up
- Dealer gets two cards — one face-up, one face-down (the "hole card")
- Make your decisions (hit, stand, double, split, or surrender)
- Dealer reveals their hole card and plays according to fixed rules
- Hands are compared and bets are settled
You're dealt 10 + 6 = 16. Dealer shows a 9 face-up. You decide to stand. Dealer reveals their hole card (a 7) for a total of 16, then must hit. They draw a 5 for 21. You lose.
4. Your Choices
| Action | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Hit | Take another card. You can hit as many times as you want until you stand or bust. |
| Stand | Keep your current total. Your turn ends. |
| Double Down | Double your bet and receive exactly one more card. Only available on your first two cards. |
| Split | If your first two cards are a pair, split them into two separate hands. Requires a second bet equal to your original. |
| Surrender | Give up half your bet and end the hand immediately. Only available in some casinos. |
| Insurance | A side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace. Pays 2:1 if dealer has blackjack. Generally a bad bet. |
Choosing the right action in each situation is called "basic strategy." This is the foundation of smart blackjack play. You'll learn it in the Basic Strategy module.
5. Dealer Rules
The dealer has no choices. They must follow fixed rules:
- Hit on 16 or less
- Stand on 17 or more (rules vary for "soft 17")
H17: Dealer hits on soft 17 (worse for you). S17: Dealer stands on soft 17 (better for you). Always check which rule your casino uses.
6. Payouts
| Result | Payout |
|---|---|
| Win | 1:1 (bet $10, win $10 + your bet back) |
| Blackjack | 3:2 (bet $10, win $15 + your bet back) * |
| Push (tie) | Bet returned |
| Lose | Lose your bet |
Some casinos pay only 6:5 on blackjack instead of 3:2. This increases the house edge by ~1.4%. Never play 6:5 blackjack.
7. Why the House Has an Edge
If both you and the dealer play identically, why does the house win? One simple reason:
You act first. If you bust, you lose immediately — even if the dealer would have busted too.
This single rule gives the casino roughly a 0.5% to 2% edge depending on the rules and your skill level.
You have 15, dealer shows 6. You hit and bust with a 10. You lose. But if you had stood, the dealer would have drawn cards and busted too — turning your loss into a push. This is why basic strategy exists: to minimize these costly mistakes.
8. How Card Counting Works
Card counting is not illegal. It's simply using your brain to track information the casino gives you freely.
The basic idea:
- When there are more high cards (10s, Aces) left in the deck, the player has an advantage
- When there are more low cards (2-6) left, the dealer has an advantage
- By tracking which cards have been played, you know when to bet big (advantage) or small (disadvantage)
The most popular counting system assigns values to each card:
- 2-6: +1 (low cards leaving = good for you)
- 7-9: 0 (neutral)
- 10-A: -1 (high cards leaving = bad for you)
Keep a "running count" as cards are dealt. When the count is high (+), you have an edge. When it's low (-), the house has an edge.
Counting doesn't guarantee wins. It gives you a small edge (~0.5-1.5%) that only shows up over thousands of hands. You'll still have losing sessions. The math just favors you in the long run.
9. What to Learn Next
Now that you understand the basics, here's your training path:
- Speed Count — Build instant card-to-value recognition
- Basic Strategy — Learn the correct play for every situation
- Running Count — Track the count through a full shoe
- The Arena — Practice full hands with training wheels
- True Count + Deviations — Advanced techniques
- High Stakes — Pressure testing before real casinos
By the time you finish all modules, you'll have the skills to play with a mathematical edge. But remember: casinos are designed to take your money. Only gamble what you can afford to lose, and never chase losses.