The core rules
These are the standard rules most tables use. Your table's help panel has the exact version. Number cards count their face value, picture cards count ten, and aces count one or eleven. You and the dealer each get two cards; one of the dealer's is face up. You then choose to hit, stand, double down or split pairs. The dealer then plays to the table's fixed rules. If you go over 21, you lose, whatever the dealer does.
A blackjack is an ace plus a ten-value card on your first two cards. Standard rules pay it at 3 to 2. Some tables pay less, which raises the edge, so check what yours pays in the help panel.
Rules that change the edge
Small rule differences move the house edge. Each table lists its own rules in the help panel, so compare them there.
Rules to read in the help panel
| Rule | Better for you | Worse for you |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack payout | 3 to 2 | 6 to 5 or less |
| Dealer on soft 17 | Stands | Hits |
| Doubling | Any two cards | Only on some totals |
| Double after split | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Number of decks | Fewer | More |
Basic strategy
Basic strategy is a chart that gives the best play for every hand against every dealer up-card, based on the table's rules. It doesn't make blackjack profitable. It keeps the edge as low as those rules allow. Without it, players often stand too early, split tens or take insurance, and the edge rises.
Charts for standard rules usually include plays like these:
- Split aces and eights.
- Don't split tens or fives.
- Stand on hard 17 or more.
- Double on 11 against most dealer cards.
- Skip insurance; it's a separate side bet with a higher edge.
Your table's rules can change some of these, so use a chart built for them.
Side bets
Common blackjack side bets (payouts vary by table)
| Side bet | Pays on | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Pairs | Your first two cards make a pair | Usually costs more than the main bet |
| 21+3 | Your two cards and the dealer's up-card make a poker hand | Usually costs more than the main bet |
| Insurance | Dealer has blackjack when showing an ace | Usually costs more than the main bet |
Side bets pay well when they hit, but they're generally priced to cost more than the main hand. The help panel shows each one's payout. If you play them, give them a small, separate budget.
Seats and shared hands
Classic tables have a fixed number of seats, so when they're full you'll need another table. Some variants let any number of players share the same starting hand, each making their own decisions. The help panel shows what a table allows.
Timers
Each decision has a timer. If it runs out, the table applies a default action, and the help panel says what that is. Decide your strategy before you sit down so you're not rushed.
Play a live blackjack hand
- Pick a table with rules and limits you're happy with.
- Place your bet before betting closes.
- Look at your cards and the dealer's up-card.
- Use basic strategy to choose hit, stand, double or split.
- Wait for the dealer to finish and the hand to settle.
Card counting
Counting cards isn't a realistic plan online. Live tables often use several decks and frequent shuffles. Spend the effort on learning the rules instead.
Variants
Lightning Blackjack adds multipliers in return for a fee each hand. For other dealer-versus-player card games, see live casino poker.
Who live blackjack suits
Players who enjoy making decisions and will learn basic strategy. If you'd rather not decide anything, baccarat or roulette are simpler.
A worked example
Invented numbers. You have 16 and the dealer shows a 10, one of the weakest spots in the game. Basic strategy charts for standard rules say hit, because standing loses more often over time. Now say you have 11 and the dealer shows a 6. Charts usually say double: you add a second bet equal to the first and take one card. None of this beats the house edge. It only keeps the cost as low as the table's rules allow.
Budget and pace
Live blackjack is slower than RNG blackjack, because the dealer and other players take time. That slower pace keeps your cost per hour down. Keep each hand to a small share of your session money, so a losing run doesn't end it. More ideas are in our live dealer tips and table limits guide.
Chat and etiquette
Keep chat friendly. Other players' decisions don't change your odds on average, even when they take the card you wanted.
Play responsibly
Decisions can make blackjack feel like a skill you can win with. It isn't. Gambling can be addictive, so set a deposit limit before you sit down. You must be 18+, or older where the legal age is higher. Stake.com doesn't accept players from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ontario or the rest of its prohibited list, which can change. Check the availability page, and don't use a VPN to get around a block. It breaks Stake's terms.
Pages in this section
Lightning Blackjack
The fee and the multiplier qualification rule.
FAQ
Can I count cards in live blackjack?
It isn't a realistic plan. Live tables usually shuffle often, and counting doesn't remove the edge.
Are side bets worth it?
They usually carry a higher edge than the main bet. Keep them small or skip them.
What happens if I miss a decision?
The table applies its default action, shown in the help panel.
Should I take insurance?
Basic strategy says no. It's a side bet with a higher edge.
Does a 6 to 5 payout matter?
Yes. It raises the house edge noticeably compared with 3 to 2.