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Free blackjack is an ideal way to hone your strategy and familiarize yourself with one of the world's most popular and accessible card games. Though the current legal landscape in the US makes it difficult for everyone to find online blackjack, free games offer an intuitive and accessible alternative.

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PartyCasino: Get 120 Watch Live Blackjack online, free spins on Starburst Make a deposit of £10 or more as a new PartyCasino player to receive 120 Watch Live Blackjack online, free spins on Starburst, thanks to an exclusive bonus! Watch Live Blackjack Blackjack is a card game with a long legacy, played at both real-world and online casinos. The Live version of this classic casino game is played with real dealers. The Live Blackjack game combines the excitement and entertaining aspects of the real casino gaming experience. Join Grosvenor Casinos today and start playing live blackjack. Now, you can join the fun on your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Download the Grosvenor Live Casino App and play on the go! Play blackjack live with a friendly human dealer who hands out the cards right in front of you. We use the latest and best technology so that you can play at home at any time. Our quality options for playing blackjack live online will grab your attention and add some extra fun to your day.

Blackjack is beloved by gamblers worldwide because it's simple to learn but difficult to master. Of the many games available at land-based and online casinos, blackjack has one of the lowest house edges. Players enjoy blackjack thanks to its accessibility, strategic bent, and high win potential.

While it's not always easy to find online sites that have blackjack with real money prizes, free blackjack is available anywhere with an internet connection. Plus, it's completely safe and legal. Top 10 casinos.

Top Free Blackjack Games Online

Blackjack with friends and single-player blackjack are both free and easy to learn. Here's an overview of each game. You can play both right here on our site.

Single Player Online Blackjack

Single-player blackjack is especially good for beginners because it allows you to play up to three hands at once. You can get a sense of the cadence of the game and learn quickly because each of your hands plays differently.

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Playing Single Player Blackjack

Start by placing a wager. In this free game, you start with $1,000 in chips, but it doesn't really matter because the currency has no value. Also, if you run out of fake 'funds' you can simply refresh the page and start over. You can bet up to $100 in chips per hand.

Once you've placed your bets, click 'deal' and the hands will appear on the screen, including the dealer's face-up card. From there, you'll select your action for each individual hand. Your options are: hit, stand, double, split, and surrender. The computer will automatically blur certain options out if they're not available for that specific hand. Choose what you'd like to do for each hand (and review our strategy page if you need a refresher on the basic actions available in blackjack).

The virtual dealer will then take an action and each hand will be resolved as a win for the player, a push, or a win for the dealer. You can then choose to place a new bet or repeat your last one.

Our recommendation: there's nothing actually at stake when you play free blackjack, so always play all three hands to keep things interesting! And since the chips don't matter, maximize your bet so you can feel the full impact of a winning hand.

Free Blackjack Online With Friends

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Playing Blackjack With Friends

This game features quick and easy online blackjack for free, but it adds the benefit of playing with other people. You can invite friends to play, or start a game with random tablemates.

To start a hand on the Free Blackjack App, click on an unlocked city. All players start at Reno. Next, click on the chip denominations at the bottom of the table to place your bet. Once your desired bet is displayed, click the bet button to the right.

Two cards are then dealt to the player(s) and dealer. The dealer will only show one of his cards. If the dealer's face-up card is an ace, it will ask if the player would like insurance. Insurance pays 2-1 if the dealer has a blackjack. The dealer will then peek to see if he has a blackjack. The dealer will also look with a ten-value card showing, but will not offer insurance. If the dealer has blackjack, the hand is over. The player will push with a blackjack and all other hands lose.

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This version of blackjack offers a little more player agency than a single-player game. The stand, hit, surrender, split, and double down options illuminate when they're available, so you must carefully select which option is best based on your hand, the other players' hands, and the dealer's face-up card.

Play With Friends

To invite friends to play with you, click one of the icons with the silhouette of a person and a '+' symbol. You can share your invite link directly with a friend by copying and pasting it. You can also invite friends via Twitter, Facebook, and email.

If you're planning a trip to a land-based casino or a state with legal online casinos, free blackjack with friends is a great way to brush up on strategy and core gameplay before you play at a table for real money.

Free Blackjack Game Features

Multiplayer Blackjack – Play our free online blackjack games with others, just join a table and you will be connected to a multiplayer blackjack table. You can invite friends to play by clicking on an empty seat and you will be given the choice to copy a link or share via Twitter, Facebook, or email. If you would like to play single player blackjack, go into settings (top right button) and click multiplayer off.

Card Count – We don't re-shuffle after each hand, instead we use virtual decks allowing players to card count. Reno & Philadelphia deal eight decks. San Diego and Denver are six decks. Chicago and New Orleans are two decks. Our final two tables: Atlantic City and Las Vegas offer single-deck blackjack. The house edge for blackjack drops as decks are removed from the game.

Las Vegas Blackjack Rules – Our 21 blackjack game offers the same rules found in Las Vegas and other casinos around the world. Blackjack pays 3-2. Players can double down on any two cards. Double down after splitting is permitted. Surrender is available. Blackjack dealer hits soft 17.

Earn Blackjack Badges – While playing blackjack you can complete challenges to earn badges, below is a list of our badges and what you need to do to complete them:

  • Split 5 – Win all hands in a split five-time
  • Double Down 5 – Win five double down hands
  • Natural Blackjack – Win 10 natural dealt blackjack
  • Split Aces – Win both hands after splitting aces
  • 21 on 5 – Receive a hand total of 21 on five cards
  • Blackjack 50 – Dealt 50 blackjacks
  • Heating Up – Awarded after winning at least five hands in a row
  • Wow it's Hot – Awarded after winning at least 10 hands in a row
  • You are on Fire – Awarded after winning at least 15 hands in a row
  • Is this real life? – Awarded after winning at least 20 hands in a row
  • Novice – 100 hands won
  • Advanced – 1,000 hands won
  • Semi-Pro – 5,000 hands won
  • Pro – 10,000 hands won
  • Average Joe – Average bet of 500 over past 50 hands
  • Up & Coming – Average bet of 5,000 over past 50 hands
  • Getting Serious – Average bet of 10,000 over past 50 hands
  • High Roller – Average bet of 50,000 over past 50 hands
  • #Baller – Average bet of 100,000 over past 50 hands
  • Chance on 20 – Hit on 20, receive an ace, and not push

Best Sweepstakes Gaming Sites In The US

Outside of free blackjack games, sweepstakes casinos are one of the simplest ways to enjoy blackjack online. Players in states without legal online casinos can access sweepstakes sites and enjoy numerous casino games, including blackjack. Right now, Washington is the only state that doesn't allow sweepstakes gaming.

At sweepstakes casinos, players purchase in-game currency that they can use to play casino games. Top casino online games. The in-game currency has no real value. However, there's a second currency called sweeps coins (or sweeps cash) that you earn either through a mail-in offer (which allows these sites to operate legally as sweepstakes) or by purchasing regular in-game currency. Play with sweeps coins, and you can redeem your winnings for cash prizes.

Sweepstakes casinos are a great middle-ground between free blackjack and real money online blackjack. You pay for in-game currency and you have a chance at cash prizes. The mail-in offer for free sweeps coins can be beneficial to players looking to win some of those cash prizes, too. You won't win as much as you could on a real money blackjack game, but many consider sweepstakes casinos to be the next best thing.

Sweepstakes Casino Frontrunners

If you search for a sweepstakes casino, chances are you'll find Chumba and LuckyLand as the two top results. And this is for good reason. Both are easy to use, and sign-up only takes a few minutes. Plus, once you join a sweepstakes casino, you'll get some free in-game currency to kickstart your experience with the site.

Benefits Of Playing Free Blackjack Online

Players enjoy free blackjack for countless reasons. If you're looking to hone your strategy or learn the game, free blackjack always has something to offer.

Accessibility

Sure, you can't win any real money when you play blackjack for free. But that removes a plethora of limitations that are usually placed on online blackjack games. There's nothing at stake, so free blackjack can be played anywhere you have an internet connection.

Learn The Game

Though the rules of blackjack are fairly simple, the game is very nuanced and can take time to truly master. Free blackjack gives players an outlet to better understand the game.

Even though blackjack is a game of chance, strategy plays a key role. When should you double down? Does it make sense to split those two cards? Should I hit or stand? These are questions blackjack players constantly ask themselves. Because the game is dictated by strategic choices, playing free versions can really sharpen your instincts and teach you when to take certain actions.

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Prepare For The Real Deal

Maybe you're traveling to a state with real money online casinos. Or maybe you're planning to visit a land-based property and take a seat at a real blackjack table. Even if you already know how to play, it's helpful to sneak in a few hands with no risk. Free blackjack is the perfect outlet for pre-casino practice. You can refresh your gameplay with a few hands of the free game before you're ready to bet for real.

How To Play Blackjack

Each player receives two cards face up. The dealer receives one card face down (the hole card) and another face-up. Every card has a value. Face cards are worth 10 points, Aces are either 1 or 11, and every other card is worth face value. The goal is to get 21 or to get closer to 21 than the dealer without busting (going over).

Once you receive your cards and the players before you (order is determined by table seating) have played their hands, you decide what to do. Below are the basic actions available to you, but note that some are only allowed in specific scenarios:

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  • Hit: Take a card in an attempt to improve the hand. A player may hit cards one at a time until the hand busts or the player decides to stand.
  • Stand: Leave your hand as it is. This means that you receive no additional cards
  • Split: Split is available when a pair is dealt. To split, a player must make an equal-sized bet to the original wager. If another pair is drawn, the hand may be resplit, except for aces. A max three split hands are allowed. Players may double down after splitting.
  • Double Down: Double your bet and receive just one card. Once this action is taken, there are no more moves for a player. The card must be kept and the double bet must remain on the table.
  • Surrender; A player that does not like the start hand in relation to the dealer's face-up card may surrender. This is where a player gives the dealer half the original wager and folds. Not all casinos offer this option.

Every choice in blackjack has a direct impact on the game, so playing free games online is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with all possible hands and outcomes.

Playing Free Blackjack Online – Common Questions

Is it legal to play free blackjack online?

Yes. State and federal laws surrounding online gaming specifically target games of chances with the possibility of monetary wins. For this reason, free online blackjack is completely legal. Free blackjack is a safe and simple way to get acquainted with the game.

Can I play free blackjack online in all 50 states?

Yes. Because there's no real money involved, all 50 states allow free online blackjack.
States have varying levels of regulation for online blackjack that involves any sort of real money. Sweepstakes casinos, where you purchase credits to play with, are legal in all states except Washington.
True real money online casinos are only live in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

What casinos have free blackjack?

The only truly free blackjack games are not tied to a specific casino. They're accessible directly from your web browser, so you don't even need to visit a casino website to play.
The next closest thing to free blackjack is sweepstakes casino gaming. When you sign up, you'll receive some in-game currency for free to get you started.

Do I need to register to play free blackjack apps?

No. You can play free blackjack using the applications on this page without registering or even downloading any software. They're playable right in your browser.

How old do I need to be to play online blackjack for free?

There's no age requirement because there is no money at stake. The free blackjack games on this page are available to anyone interested in the game. However, making the move to sweepstakes or real money blackjack will require age verification. 18+ for sweepstakes sites and 21+ for real-money.

Can I play free blackjack on my cell phone or tablet?

Yes. The free blackjack games on this site are playable from your browser on desktop computers, phones, and tablets. You don't need to download an app or register; just click and start playing!

Can I play free blackjack with other players?

Yes. Free blackjack with friends lets you easily invite other players. You can invite friends into your game using a unique link (just copy, paste, and send), Twitter, Facebook, or email. Up to three people can play together at a time.

Can I count cards playing free blackjack?

In some cases, yes. In free blackjack with friends, the decks aren't reshuffled, so card-counting is possible. In other free blackjack games online, card counting is tricky or impossible because the random number generators that drive the game constantly shuffle the virtual decks.

Live Blackjack Gambling

I'll state it right up front. This is a column for people who have never played blackjack in a casino.

I'm going to explain the very basics of the game and some of the common terms. If you are already a regular at blackjack, but need some strategy assistance, you may have to wait a few weeks for that column.

Let's get right to it. In blackjack, 10's and face cards all count as 10 points. An Ace may count as 1 or 11 as the player chooses for himself. The goal of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. If the player goes over 21, he loses and his wager is taken. If the Dealer goes over 21, he busts and all players who have not busted are paid even money for their wagers.

To begin play, you make a single wager. You will be dealt two cards. In some casinos you will get your cards face down. In others, they will be dealt face up. If they are dealt up, you should not touch the cards at all. If they are dealt face down, you may pick them up and look at them. The dealer will be dealt two cards, one face up and one underneath, face down.

If the dealer has a 10/Face upcard, he will check to see if he has blackjack. He will either use a small device built into the table or he will peak by bending over the downcard. If he has an Ace underneath, he has blackjack. All players who do not have blackjack will lose their wagers. If a player also has a blackjack, it is a Push, which is a ‘tie' and the player's wager is returned.

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If the dealer has an Ace up, he will ask if the player wants to take Insurance, which is essentially a sidebet for blackjack. If a player takes insurance, he may wager up to half of his blackjack wager. He is wagering that the dealer does have blackjack.

If the dealer has it, he wins 2 to 1 on his Insurance wager and loses his blackjack wager (unless the player also had blackjack). This is the equivalent of the player merely keeping both wagers — hence why it is called Insurance. In essence, the player does not lose his blackjack wager. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the Insurance wager is lost and play continues.

If the player has a blackjack when the dealer has an Ace up, he may ask for ‘even money.' The player will be paid even money (instead of 6 to 5 or 3 to 2) for his blackjack. The outcome is the same as if the player takes Insurance.

If the dealer does not have an Ace or 10/Face as an upcard or if he checks for blackjack and does not have it, play continues. The player after reviewing his hand has several options. Some are not available at all times. They are as follows:

Hit — The player may take another card. If he hits and goes over 21, he loses his wager. The player may continue to hit until he chooses to stop or until he goes over 21.

Stick — Essentially end his turn and playing his hand as is.

Double Down — This option is only available when the player has two cards. The player may double his wager, but must hit only one card. Frequently, this card is placed face down on the player's hand, so as to create suspense. It will be revealed after the dealer plays out his hand.

Split — Only possible when the player has a pair. The player 'splits' the pair into two new hands, putting a wager equal to his original wager on the new hand.

The dealer will deal a second card to each of the new hands. The player will play each hand independently. Generally, a player can only split to a total of four hands. Most casinos will allow a player to Double Down after splitting, while the hand has only two cards.

Surrender — The player may ‘give up' surrendering half of his wager.

Blackjack

This version of blackjack offers a little more player agency than a single-player game. The stand, hit, surrender, split, and double down options illuminate when they're available, so you must carefully select which option is best based on your hand, the other players' hands, and the dealer's face-up card.

Play With Friends

To invite friends to play with you, click one of the icons with the silhouette of a person and a '+' symbol. You can share your invite link directly with a friend by copying and pasting it. You can also invite friends via Twitter, Facebook, and email.

If you're planning a trip to a land-based casino or a state with legal online casinos, free blackjack with friends is a great way to brush up on strategy and core gameplay before you play at a table for real money.

Free Blackjack Game Features

Multiplayer Blackjack – Play our free online blackjack games with others, just join a table and you will be connected to a multiplayer blackjack table. You can invite friends to play by clicking on an empty seat and you will be given the choice to copy a link or share via Twitter, Facebook, or email. If you would like to play single player blackjack, go into settings (top right button) and click multiplayer off.

Card Count – We don't re-shuffle after each hand, instead we use virtual decks allowing players to card count. Reno & Philadelphia deal eight decks. San Diego and Denver are six decks. Chicago and New Orleans are two decks. Our final two tables: Atlantic City and Las Vegas offer single-deck blackjack. The house edge for blackjack drops as decks are removed from the game.

Las Vegas Blackjack Rules – Our 21 blackjack game offers the same rules found in Las Vegas and other casinos around the world. Blackjack pays 3-2. Players can double down on any two cards. Double down after splitting is permitted. Surrender is available. Blackjack dealer hits soft 17.

Earn Blackjack Badges – While playing blackjack you can complete challenges to earn badges, below is a list of our badges and what you need to do to complete them:

  • Split 5 – Win all hands in a split five-time
  • Double Down 5 – Win five double down hands
  • Natural Blackjack – Win 10 natural dealt blackjack
  • Split Aces – Win both hands after splitting aces
  • 21 on 5 – Receive a hand total of 21 on five cards
  • Blackjack 50 – Dealt 50 blackjacks
  • Heating Up – Awarded after winning at least five hands in a row
  • Wow it's Hot – Awarded after winning at least 10 hands in a row
  • You are on Fire – Awarded after winning at least 15 hands in a row
  • Is this real life? – Awarded after winning at least 20 hands in a row
  • Novice – 100 hands won
  • Advanced – 1,000 hands won
  • Semi-Pro – 5,000 hands won
  • Pro – 10,000 hands won
  • Average Joe – Average bet of 500 over past 50 hands
  • Up & Coming – Average bet of 5,000 over past 50 hands
  • Getting Serious – Average bet of 10,000 over past 50 hands
  • High Roller – Average bet of 50,000 over past 50 hands
  • #Baller – Average bet of 100,000 over past 50 hands
  • Chance on 20 – Hit on 20, receive an ace, and not push

Best Sweepstakes Gaming Sites In The US

Outside of free blackjack games, sweepstakes casinos are one of the simplest ways to enjoy blackjack online. Players in states without legal online casinos can access sweepstakes sites and enjoy numerous casino games, including blackjack. Right now, Washington is the only state that doesn't allow sweepstakes gaming.

At sweepstakes casinos, players purchase in-game currency that they can use to play casino games. Top casino online games. The in-game currency has no real value. However, there's a second currency called sweeps coins (or sweeps cash) that you earn either through a mail-in offer (which allows these sites to operate legally as sweepstakes) or by purchasing regular in-game currency. Play with sweeps coins, and you can redeem your winnings for cash prizes.

Sweepstakes casinos are a great middle-ground between free blackjack and real money online blackjack. You pay for in-game currency and you have a chance at cash prizes. The mail-in offer for free sweeps coins can be beneficial to players looking to win some of those cash prizes, too. You won't win as much as you could on a real money blackjack game, but many consider sweepstakes casinos to be the next best thing.

Sweepstakes Casino Frontrunners

If you search for a sweepstakes casino, chances are you'll find Chumba and LuckyLand as the two top results. And this is for good reason. Both are easy to use, and sign-up only takes a few minutes. Plus, once you join a sweepstakes casino, you'll get some free in-game currency to kickstart your experience with the site.

Benefits Of Playing Free Blackjack Online

Players enjoy free blackjack for countless reasons. If you're looking to hone your strategy or learn the game, free blackjack always has something to offer.

Accessibility

Sure, you can't win any real money when you play blackjack for free. But that removes a plethora of limitations that are usually placed on online blackjack games. There's nothing at stake, so free blackjack can be played anywhere you have an internet connection.

Learn The Game

Though the rules of blackjack are fairly simple, the game is very nuanced and can take time to truly master. Free blackjack gives players an outlet to better understand the game.

Even though blackjack is a game of chance, strategy plays a key role. When should you double down? Does it make sense to split those two cards? Should I hit or stand? These are questions blackjack players constantly ask themselves. Because the game is dictated by strategic choices, playing free versions can really sharpen your instincts and teach you when to take certain actions.

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Prepare For The Real Deal

Maybe you're traveling to a state with real money online casinos. Or maybe you're planning to visit a land-based property and take a seat at a real blackjack table. Even if you already know how to play, it's helpful to sneak in a few hands with no risk. Free blackjack is the perfect outlet for pre-casino practice. You can refresh your gameplay with a few hands of the free game before you're ready to bet for real.

How To Play Blackjack

Each player receives two cards face up. The dealer receives one card face down (the hole card) and another face-up. Every card has a value. Face cards are worth 10 points, Aces are either 1 or 11, and every other card is worth face value. The goal is to get 21 or to get closer to 21 than the dealer without busting (going over).

Once you receive your cards and the players before you (order is determined by table seating) have played their hands, you decide what to do. Below are the basic actions available to you, but note that some are only allowed in specific scenarios:

  • Hit: Take a card in an attempt to improve the hand. A player may hit cards one at a time until the hand busts or the player decides to stand.
  • Stand: Leave your hand as it is. This means that you receive no additional cards
  • Split: Split is available when a pair is dealt. To split, a player must make an equal-sized bet to the original wager. If another pair is drawn, the hand may be resplit, except for aces. A max three split hands are allowed. Players may double down after splitting.
  • Double Down: Double your bet and receive just one card. Once this action is taken, there are no more moves for a player. The card must be kept and the double bet must remain on the table.
  • Surrender; A player that does not like the start hand in relation to the dealer's face-up card may surrender. This is where a player gives the dealer half the original wager and folds. Not all casinos offer this option.

Every choice in blackjack has a direct impact on the game, so playing free games online is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with all possible hands and outcomes.

Playing Free Blackjack Online – Common Questions

Is it legal to play free blackjack online?

Yes. State and federal laws surrounding online gaming specifically target games of chances with the possibility of monetary wins. For this reason, free online blackjack is completely legal. Free blackjack is a safe and simple way to get acquainted with the game.

Can I play free blackjack online in all 50 states?

Yes. Because there's no real money involved, all 50 states allow free online blackjack.
States have varying levels of regulation for online blackjack that involves any sort of real money. Sweepstakes casinos, where you purchase credits to play with, are legal in all states except Washington.
True real money online casinos are only live in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

What casinos have free blackjack?

The only truly free blackjack games are not tied to a specific casino. They're accessible directly from your web browser, so you don't even need to visit a casino website to play.
The next closest thing to free blackjack is sweepstakes casino gaming. When you sign up, you'll receive some in-game currency for free to get you started.

Do I need to register to play free blackjack apps?

No. You can play free blackjack using the applications on this page without registering or even downloading any software. They're playable right in your browser.

How old do I need to be to play online blackjack for free?

There's no age requirement because there is no money at stake. The free blackjack games on this page are available to anyone interested in the game. However, making the move to sweepstakes or real money blackjack will require age verification. 18+ for sweepstakes sites and 21+ for real-money.

Can I play free blackjack on my cell phone or tablet?

Yes. The free blackjack games on this site are playable from your browser on desktop computers, phones, and tablets. You don't need to download an app or register; just click and start playing!

Can I play free blackjack with other players?

Yes. Free blackjack with friends lets you easily invite other players. You can invite friends into your game using a unique link (just copy, paste, and send), Twitter, Facebook, or email. Up to three people can play together at a time.

Can I count cards playing free blackjack?

In some cases, yes. In free blackjack with friends, the decks aren't reshuffled, so card-counting is possible. In other free blackjack games online, card counting is tricky or impossible because the random number generators that drive the game constantly shuffle the virtual decks.

Live Blackjack Gambling

I'll state it right up front. This is a column for people who have never played blackjack in a casino.

I'm going to explain the very basics of the game and some of the common terms. If you are already a regular at blackjack, but need some strategy assistance, you may have to wait a few weeks for that column.

Let's get right to it. In blackjack, 10's and face cards all count as 10 points. An Ace may count as 1 or 11 as the player chooses for himself. The goal of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. If the player goes over 21, he loses and his wager is taken. If the Dealer goes over 21, he busts and all players who have not busted are paid even money for their wagers.

To begin play, you make a single wager. You will be dealt two cards. In some casinos you will get your cards face down. In others, they will be dealt face up. If they are dealt up, you should not touch the cards at all. If they are dealt face down, you may pick them up and look at them. The dealer will be dealt two cards, one face up and one underneath, face down.

If the dealer has a 10/Face upcard, he will check to see if he has blackjack. He will either use a small device built into the table or he will peak by bending over the downcard. If he has an Ace underneath, he has blackjack. All players who do not have blackjack will lose their wagers. If a player also has a blackjack, it is a Push, which is a ‘tie' and the player's wager is returned.

If the dealer has an Ace up, he will ask if the player wants to take Insurance, which is essentially a sidebet for blackjack. If a player takes insurance, he may wager up to half of his blackjack wager. He is wagering that the dealer does have blackjack.

If the dealer has it, he wins 2 to 1 on his Insurance wager and loses his blackjack wager (unless the player also had blackjack). This is the equivalent of the player merely keeping both wagers — hence why it is called Insurance. In essence, the player does not lose his blackjack wager. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the Insurance wager is lost and play continues.

If the player has a blackjack when the dealer has an Ace up, he may ask for ‘even money.' The player will be paid even money (instead of 6 to 5 or 3 to 2) for his blackjack. The outcome is the same as if the player takes Insurance.

If the dealer does not have an Ace or 10/Face as an upcard or if he checks for blackjack and does not have it, play continues. The player after reviewing his hand has several options. Some are not available at all times. They are as follows:

Hit — The player may take another card. If he hits and goes over 21, he loses his wager. The player may continue to hit until he chooses to stop or until he goes over 21.

Stick — Essentially end his turn and playing his hand as is.

Double Down — This option is only available when the player has two cards. The player may double his wager, but must hit only one card. Frequently, this card is placed face down on the player's hand, so as to create suspense. It will be revealed after the dealer plays out his hand.

Split — Only possible when the player has a pair. The player 'splits' the pair into two new hands, putting a wager equal to his original wager on the new hand.

The dealer will deal a second card to each of the new hands. The player will play each hand independently. Generally, a player can only split to a total of four hands. Most casinos will allow a player to Double Down after splitting, while the hand has only two cards.

Surrender — The player may ‘give up' surrendering half of his wager.

Once each player completes his turn, the dealer will play out his hand. He will reveal his downcard. If the dealer has 16 or less, the dealer will hit. If the dealer has 18 or more, he will stick. If he has what is called a 'Hard 17' — no Aces or Aces counting as a 1, he will stick. If he has a 'Soft 17' — a hand with an Ace counting as an 11, he will hit.

Once the dealer is done playing his hand, he will resolve the wagers. If the dealer busts, all players still in action will be paid even money, unless the player has blackjack, which will be paid 3 to 2 or 6 to 5. If the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand, the player wins even money. If the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand, the player loses his wager. If the two hands tie, it is a push.

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I suggest you watch a table in action for a little while before jumping right in. It seems like a lot is going on, but you can get the hang out of it pretty quickly. Learning proper strategy, on the other hand, takes time and practice.





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