Affiliate Disclosure: CoolShades may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Blackjack Basics
Beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 without going over. Cards 2–10 are face value; J/Q/K count as 10; Aces count as 1 or 11.
How a Hand Plays Out
- Place your bet
- Deal — two cards face up each; dealer shows one
- Hit or Stand — take more cards or freeze your total
- Dealer draws — must hit until 16, stand on 17+
- Settlement — closest to 21 without busting wins
Basic Strategy: The Math-Backed Way to Play
Using basic strategy cuts the house edge from ~8% down to ~0.5%. Here are the core rules:
Hard Totals
- 8 or less: Always hit
- 9: Double if dealer shows 3–6, otherwise hit
- 10–11: Double down whenever possible
- 12–16: Stand if dealer shows 2–6, hit on 7+
- 17+: Always stand
Pairs
- Aces/8s: Always split
- 9s: Split if dealer shows 2–6, 8–9
- 10s: Never split
- 2s/3s/7s: Split if dealer shows 2–7
- 4s: Split only if dealer shows 5–6
- 6s: Split if dealer shows 2–6
Bankroll Management
Never bet more than 2–3% of your bankroll per hand. With C$200, keep bets between C$4–C$6.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Taking insurance — a sucker bet with terrible house edge
- Chasing losses — bigger bets after a loss = bigger losses
- Playing 6:5 tables — always look for 3:2 blackjack payouts