Blackjack Basics The object of Blackjack is to beat the dealer's hand without exceeding a total card value of 21. Please Note: While these are the standard rules of Blackjack, individual game variants may have unique rules, side bets, or payout structures. Always check the in-game help menu or rules page within the specific game you are playing for full, authoritative information. To start a game, you place a bet and then receive two cards face up. The dealer will then deal two cards, one face up and one face down. If your hand total is closer to 21 than the dealer's without going over, you'll win. If your hand total exceeds 21, you "bust" and lose your bet. The dealer must draw cards until their hand total reaches 17 or higher, at which point they must stand. If your first two cards total exactly 21 (an Ace combined with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King), you have Blackjack and win immediately. If you and the dealer end up with the same hand value of 17 or higher, it is called a push and your bet will be returned. Card Values The Ace can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which value benefits your hand the most. This will always be to your benefit. Cards 2 through 9 are worth their face value. 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued at 10. Actions Available Bet The amount you want to wager to start the game. Hit Take another card from the deck to try and get closer to 21. You can hit multiple times, but be careful not to "bust" (go over 21). Stand Keep your current hand total and end your turn. Split If your first two cards have the same value (e.g., two 9s), you can split them into two separate hands. This requires an additional bet equal to your original stake. *Note on Aces:* If you split Aces and draw a 10-value card, this counts as a hand total of 21, not a natural Blackjack. Double Down Double your original bet in exchange for taking exactly one more card. Your turn ends immediately after this third card is dealt. Insurance If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, you can purchase insurance for half your original bet. This pays out at 2-1 if the dealer has Blackjack. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and play continues. Frequently Asked Questions What is a "Blackjack" (Natural 21)? If your first two cards total exactly 21 (an Ace combined with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King), you have Blackjack. This is an instant win unless the dealer also has Blackjack, which results in a tie (push). When does the dealer have to stand? The dealer must continue to draw cards until their hand total reaches 17 or higher, at which point they must stand and cannot draw any more cards. What happens if the game is a tie? If you and the dealer end up with the same hand value of 17 or higher, this is called a push and your original bet is returned to you. If you need any further assistance, please see our contact details here. Related articles Roulette Basics Contact Us - LiveScore Bet Nigeria Account Verification How do I close my account? How do you calculate RTP?