Blackjack Basics: Rules, Basic Strategy and Common Mistakes
Blackjack is one of the few casino games where your decisions change the house edge. Learn the rules, the key strategy moves and the mistakes to avoid.
In this article
The goal is simple: beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. What makes blackjack special is that good decisions bring the house edge down to around 0.5% with standard rules.
Card values
- Number cards are worth their number.
- J, Q and K are worth 10.
- An Ace is worth 1 or 11, whichever helps your hand.
Your options
| Move | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hit | Take another card |
| Stand | Keep your hand |
| Double down | Double your stake, take exactly one more card |
| Split | Turn a pair into two separate hands (extra stake) |
Five basic-strategy rules to remember
- Always split Aces and 8s.
- Never split 10s or 5s.
- Double on 11 against most dealer cards.
- Stand on hard 17 or more.
- Hit hard 12–16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher.
Common mistakes
- Taking insurance. It's a side bet with a worse edge for the player.
- "Playing on feel" instead of strategy.
- Chasing losses with bigger stakes. Set a session budget first.
Prefer a human dealer? See our live casino guide.
Tunde Bakare
Tunde has followed European and African football for over a decade and builds data-driven previews focused on value, not hype.
