How to Play Blackjack
How to play blackjack, from the aim of the game and card values to hitting, standing, doubling and splitting, plus how basic strategy cuts the house edge.
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About this video: How to Play Blackjack
How to Play Blackjack walks you through the whole game in under two minutes, so you can sit down at a table, live or online, and know what to do.
First, the video explains the aim. You play against the dealer, not the other players, and you want to finish closer to 21 without going over. Number cards count at face value, picture cards count as 10, and an ace counts as 1 or 11. An ace with any ten-value card is a blackjack, while going over 21 is a bust.
Next, it covers your four options: hit, stand, double and split. It also shows that the dealer has no choices, because they must keep drawing until they reach 17 or more.
Finally, it explains basic strategy, the best move for every hand. On standard rules, it cuts the house edge to around half a percent. To check any hand, you can use our free blackjack strategy calculator.
However, rules and offers change. For that reason, we check every video against the Gambling Commission and other official sources. In fact, we last checked this one on 13 October 2026.
Read the transcript
Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to learn. Here’s how a hand works, and how to make the best move every time.
You play against the dealer, not the other players. The aim is to finish closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over.
Number cards count at face value. Jacks, queens and kings count as 10. An ace counts as 1 or 11, whichever helps your hand more.
An ace with any ten-value card is a blackjack: the best hand in the game. If you go over 21, that’s a bust, and you lose straight away.
On your turn, you can hit to take another card, or stand to keep your total. You can also double your bet and take one more card, or split a pair into two separate hands.
The dealer has no choices. They keep drawing until they reach 17 or more. If the dealer goes bust, every hand still in play wins.
Basic strategy is the best move for every hand, worked out mathematically. On standard rules, it cuts the house edge to around half a percent. It won’t beat the casino over time, but it gives you the best chance.
To check any hand, try our free blackjack strategy calculator. Pick the dealer’s card, then your two cards, and it shows whether to hit, stand, double or split.
Eighteen plus. Please gamble responsibly.
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