Quick answer: In blackjack you try to finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Number cards count at face value, J, Q and K count 10, and an ace counts 1 or 11. You hit (take a card), stand (stop), double (double your bet for one card) or split a pair. The dealer must draw to 17. At Australian tables the dealer has no hole card and you can double only on 9, 10 or 11.
We wrote this guide for someone who has never sat at a table. I have taught a lot of friends the game, and the rules take about five minutes. The habits (what to do with a 12, when not to double) take longer, so we cover both.
The goal and the card values
- Beat the dealer, not the other players. Each player plays their own hand against the dealer.
- 2 to 10: face value.
- J, Q, K: 10 each.
- Ace: 1 or 11, whichever helps you more.
- Blackjack: an ace plus a 10-value card as your first two cards. It beats any other 21.
- Bust: go over 21 and you lose straight away, even if the dealer busts later.
A hand with an ace counted as 11 is a soft hand (A,6 is soft 17). It cannot bust with one more card. A hand without that ace is hard.
How a hand plays out at an Aussie table
- Place your bet in the box in front of you before the cards come out.
- You get two cards face up. The dealer gets one card face up (no hole card).
- If the dealer shows an ace, you are offered insurance (we explain below why to say no).
- You act: hit, stand, double or split. Players act one at a time, from the dealer's left.
- The dealer draws a second card, then keeps drawing until reaching 17 or more.
- Bets are settled. Higher total wins. Same total is a push (your bet comes back).
Why does the second dealer card come so late? That is the Australian no hole card rule, and it changes when you should double or split. Our no hole card guide explains it in dollars.
Your options, one by one
| Move | What it means | Aussie rule to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | Take another card | As many times as you like until you stand or bust |
| Stand | Keep your total | Your turn ends |
| Double | Add a second bet the same size and take exactly one card | Usually allowed only on a two-card 9, 10 or 11 |
| Split | Turn a pair into two hands, with a second bet the same size | Split aces get one card each; limits on re-splitting vary |
| Insurance | A side bet (half your bet) that the dealer makes blackjack, pays 2 to 1 | Offered only when the dealer shows an ace |
| Surrender | Give up half your bet and fold | Rarely offered in Australia |
Payouts and dealer rules
- Win: paid 1 to 1 (bet A$20, win A$20).
- Blackjack: paid 3 to 2 on standard games (bet A$20, win A$30). Some variants pay 6 to 5, so read the felt.
- Push: your bet comes back.
- Dealer draws to 17. On some tables the dealer also hits soft 17 (A,6). The table sign tells you.
The dealer has no choices. That is your advantage: you can stand on a weak total and let the dealer bust.
Five habits that save the most money
Think blackjack is mostly luck? Luck decides each hand. Your decisions decide how much the game costs you over an evening.
- Stand on hard 17 or more. Always.
- Against a dealer 2 to 6, stand on 13 to 16. Let the dealer take the risk of busting.
- Against a dealer 7 to ace, hit 12 to 16. The dealer will usually make 17 or better.
- Double 10 or 11 against 2 to 9. Against a 10 or an ace at an Aussie table, just hit.
- Never take insurance and never split 10s.
The full answers are on our blackjack strategy chart, and you can drill them in the blackjack trainer.
Blackjack etiquette in Australia
Australian casinos run things a little differently from Las Vegas. Here is what we tell first-timers:
- Bring photo ID. Casino gambling is 18+, and staff do check.
- Check the player card rules before you go. Some casinos now ask for a player card (linked to limits and break reminders) before you can play. The casino's website lists what you need.
- Put cash on the table to buy chips (never hand it to the dealer), and wait for the dealer to change it.
- Do not touch the cards. Cards are dealt face up from a shoe or shuffler.
- Use hand signals: tap the table to hit, wave your hand flat to stand. The cameras need to see your decision.
- Doubling or splitting: place the extra chips next to your bet (not on top) and say what you want.
- Do not touch your bet once the cards are out.
- Tipping is not part of the culture here, and staff at many Australian casinos are not allowed to accept tips.
- Do not expect free drinks at the table. Complimentary alcohol is generally restricted as an inducement to gamble.
- Read the table sign for the minimum bet and the game (standard blackjack, Blackjack Plus, Pontoon and others look alike).
Every casino has its own house rules, so treat this list as a general guide. Our Australian blackjack rules page covers the rule differences between casinos.
Set your limits before you sit down
I set a limit before every session, even for a review. It is the one habit that matters more than strategy:
- Decide your spend in advance and treat it as the cost of the night out.
- Do not chase losses. Doubling your bet after every loss (the Martingale system) does not beat the house edge. It only makes the losing nights bigger.
- Take breaks. A hand takes about a minute, so an hour goes fast.
If gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gambling page or call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, 24/7). Thinking of playing online for money? Read is online blackjack legal in Australia first.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play blackjack for beginners?
Place a bet, get two cards, then hit or stand to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. The dealer must draw to 17. Learn the five habits above and you are ready for a free practice game.
Is an ace 1 or 11 in blackjack?
Either. It counts 11 unless that would take you over 21, then it counts 1.
What is the difference between blackjack and 21?
Blackjack is 21 with your first two cards (an ace and a 10-value card). It pays more, usually 3 to 2, and beats a 21 made with three or more cards.
Can I double on any hand in Australia?
Usually not. Standard Australian games allow doubling only on a two-card 9, 10 or 11.
Do you tip blackjack dealers in Australia?
No. Tipping is not expected, and staff at many Australian casinos are not permitted to accept tips.
Can I practise blackjack for free?
Yes. Our free blackjack game uses Aussie rules with practice points only: no money, no sign-up and no download.
Play your first hands for free
Reading rules only gets you halfway. Ten free hands will teach you more than another page of text, and nothing is at stake.