In blackjack you play against the dealer, not against the other people at the table. The aim is to finish with a stronger hand than the dealer without going over 21. It helps to know the choices before a countdown clock asks you to make one.
Count the hand first
Number cards count as shown, picture cards count as 10, and an ace can count as 1 or 11. Go over 21 and your hand busts. An ace with a 10-value card in the first two cards is a natural blackjack; its payout depends on the table rules.
A €10 natural blackjack can return different amounts
| Table payout | Profit | Total returned |
|---|---|---|
| 3:2 | €15 | €25 |
| 6:5 | €12 | €22 |
The main decisions
- Hit: take another card. Stand: keep your current total.
- Double: increase your stake, usually in exchange for one final card. Check when it is allowed.
- Split: turn a pair into two hands, with another stake. Rules for splitting aces or resplitting vary.
- Insurance: a separate side bet offered when the dealer shows an ace. It costs extra and is not the same as protecting your original stake.
Read these rules before joining
Find the natural-blackjack payout, whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17, the number of decks, and when doubling, splitting or surrender are allowed. Side bets and special versions can change the cost. The Washington State Gambling Commission’s rules show how detailed the posted table rules can be; Evolution’s game overview illustrates how variants differ.
Your decisions affect the outcome, but no method guarantees a win. If you cannot explain the payout or the extra stake required to double or split, pause and read the table Help first. See Table Games and Safer Gambling. Adults only, where legal.
Source check: the Washington State Gambling Commission’s blackjack rules show why table-specific payout wording matters. € arithmetic checked 12 November 2026; no particular casino table was tested.