Blackjack Rules

Blackjack has long been a popular casino game the world over and at all South African casinos - online, mobile and land - in 2025. It's a game with a globally rich and historical heritage.

Today there are many different types of blackjack including Atlantic City Blackjack, Bonus Blackjack, Vegas Blackjack and many more, that you can enjoy at rand online casinos.

Just in case you don't know them, here are the blackjack rules:

How to Play Blackjack

The objective of online blackjack is a simple one - to beat the dealer's hand by getting 21 or as close to 21 as possible, without exceeding 21 ('busting').

Getting 21 with a 10 card and a picture card is known as a 'Blackjack'.

In blackjack the cards are valued as follows: Aces represent 1 or 11 points, picture cards and 10s represent 10 points, and the remaining cards retain their face values.

Dealing in Blackjack

You must lay your bets before every hand is dealt. The hand will start when you and the other players (usually up to 4 per table) are each dealt two face-up cards. The dealer also deals himself two cards, one face up and one face down.

At this point, you can ask the dealer to 'hit' you (deal you another card) to get your hand closer to 21 points, or 'stand' (keep your original cards).

If you get 'Blackjack', you will be paid out 3:2. If you bust, you lose your bet. If the dealer busts, you win 1:1.

However, if the dealer also gets a Blackjack, this is known as a 'push' and instead of winning, you will get your original bet back.

According to the rules of blackjack, the dealer is required to hit if he is holding 16 points or below and stand if he is holding 17 points or over.

While you cannot change your initial bet after a hand begins, there are other options open to you:

Blackjack Betting Options

In online blackjack, minimum and maximum bets will be different depending on the online casino and the particular blackjack game you are playing. Here are the three main betting options for blackjack:

Splitting

If you are dealt a pair, say two 7s, you can choose to 'split' them. In other words, play them as separate hands. In this case you must put in your initial bet again, to cover the second card. You can choose to be hit on each hand as many times as you wish.

Double Down

Another option in blackjack is to 'double down' which is when you double your initial bet when you are confident that the dealer will bust. Remember that if you choose to double down, you will be dealt one additional card and no more.

Insurance

This is when you 'insure yourself' when you are confident that the dealer has a Blackjack. If the dealer reveals his second card and it is not a face card or a 10, you lose your insurance bet. An insurance bet pays 2:1. (Most advanced online blackjack players do not recommend taking insurance).