🃏 Blackjack Complete Guide
Master all variations with strategy, tips, and printable cheat sheet
1-7 players
5-30 mins per session
Easy to Learn, Hard to Master
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Learning Guide Only
This guide is for learning Blackjack rules, variations, and strategy. Scorement does not currently support Blackjack gameplay or scoring. Use this as your complete reference guide to master the game!
⚠️ Gambling Disclaimer
Gambling involves risk and is not a guaranteed way to make money. The strategies and tips provided here are educational only and do not guarantee positive outcomes. Blackjack outcomes depend on luck, house rules, and many unpredictable factors. Even with perfect basic strategy, the house maintains an edge. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek help at ncpgambling.org or call 1-800-522-4700.
🎯 Game Objective
Goal: Beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without going over (busting).
✅ You Win If:
- • Your hand is closer to 21 than dealer's
- • You get 21 with first two cards (Blackjack!)
- • Dealer busts (goes over 21)
❌ You Lose If:
- • Your hand exceeds 21 (bust)
- • Dealer's hand is closer to 21
- • Dealer has blackjack and you don't
🎴 Card Values
A
1 or 11
Player's choice
2-10
Face value
As shown
J, Q, K
10
All face cards
Ace Strategy
Aces are counted as 11 unless that would make your hand bust, then they count as 1. A hand with an Ace valued as 11 is called a "soft" hand (e.g., A-6 = soft 17).
🎮 How to Play
1
Place Your Bet
Put your chips in the betting circle before cards are dealt
2
Initial Deal
Each player gets 2 cards face up. Dealer gets 1 face up, 1 face down
3
Player Actions
Hit: Take another card
Stand: Keep your current hand
Double Down: Double your bet, get exactly one more card
Split: If you have a pair, split into two hands (requires second bet)
Surrender: Give up half your bet and end hand (if allowed)
Insurance: Side bet if dealer shows Ace (not recommended)
4
Dealer Plays
Dealer reveals hole card and must hit on 16 or less, stand on 17+
5
Payouts
• Blackjack: 3:2 (e.g., $15 on $10 bet)
• Regular Win: 1:1 (even money)
• Insurance: 2:1
• Push (tie): Bet returned
⚖️ Soft vs Hard Hands
💜 Soft Hand
Definition: Contains an Ace valued as 11
Example: A-6 = Soft 17 (or 7)
Advantage: Cannot bust on next hit
More flexible - you can take risks!
🧡 Hard Hand
Definition: No Ace, or Ace valued as 1
Example: 10-7 = Hard 17
Risk: Can bust if you hit
Play carefully - follow basic strategy!