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Blackjack (Practice)
Blackjack (also called 21) is the most widely played casino card game in the world. The premise is simple: get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. But beneath that simplicity is a game with well-studied optimal strategy — every hand has a mathematically correct decision. This practice version uses virtual chips so you can sharpen your play without risking anything.
Blackjack (Practice) Rules
Card values: numbered cards are worth their face value (2-10), face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10, and Aces are worth 1 or 11 (whichever benefits the hand more). A hand's total is the sum of its card values.
Place a bet, then you and the dealer each receive two cards. Both of your cards are face-up. The dealer has one card face-up (the "upcard") and one face-down (the "hole card").
Your options: Hit (take another card), Stand (keep your total), or Double Down (double your bet and receive exactly one more card). If your total exceeds 21, you "bust" and lose immediately.
After you stand, the dealer reveals their hole card and must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more (dealer has no choices). If the dealer busts, you win. Otherwise, the higher hand wins. Ties ("push") return your bet.
Blackjack: an Ace plus a 10-value card on the initial deal pays 3 to 2. A regular win pays 1 to 1.
Blackjack (Practice) Strategy & Tips
Always stand on hard 17 or higher
With a hard 17 (no Ace counted as 11), the odds of improving by hitting are terrible. There are more cards that bust you (5 through 10) than help you (Ace through 4). Standing on 17+ is basic strategy rule number one.
Always hit on hard 11 or less
You literally can't bust. Any card improves your hand. If you have 11, you should usually double down rather than just hit, since you have the best chance of making 21.
Double down on 10 or 11 against a weak dealer upcard
When the dealer shows 2-6, they're in a weak position (likely to bust). If you have 10 or 11, double down — you'll likely land a strong total while the dealer struggles. This is where most of your profit comes from in blackjack.
Hit against a dealer 7 or higher when you have 12-16
Hands of 12-16 are the most painful in blackjack. Against a dealer 7+, the dealer probably has 17+ already, so standing means losing. Hitting risks busting, but it's the lesser of two evils. Against a dealer 2-6, standing is better since the dealer is more likely to bust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of winning in Blackjack?
With perfect basic strategy, the house edge in standard Blackjack is only about 0.5% — one of the lowest of any casino game. Without strategy, the house edge climbs to 2-5% depending on how many mistakes you make. This practice game uses virtual chips, so there's no real money at stake.
When should you double down in Blackjack?
The most common double-down situations: always double on 11, double on 10 when the dealer shows 2-9, and double on 9 when the dealer shows 3-6. You should also double on soft 16-18 (Ace + 5/6/7) against dealer 4-6. Doubling in the right spots is the biggest source of profit in basic strategy.
Is card counting possible in online Blackjack?
In this practice game, the deck is shuffled frequently, making card counting impractical. In casino Blackjack, card counting works by tracking the ratio of high to low cards remaining. It's legal but casinos may ask you to leave. This game is designed for practicing basic strategy decisions.