Quick answer: In no hole card blackjack (the Australian standard) the dealer takes a second card only after all players finish. If that card makes blackjack, you can lose more than your first bet: under the ENHC rule a dealer blackjack takes your doubles and splits too. So against a 10 or an ace you stop doubling 11 and stop splitting 8s and aces.
Most players at Australian tables have never been told this. I have watched people double 11 against a 10, lose twice the stake to a dealer blackjack, and blame bad luck. It was not luck. It was the rule, and it is printed in the casino's rules document.
How a no hole card hand works
- Every player gets two cards face up.
- The dealer gets one card only (face up). There is no second card underneath.
- If the dealer shows an ace, you are offered insurance.
- Players act in turn: hit, stand, double or split.
- The dealer draws the second card and then plays out the hand.
- If that second card makes blackjack (an ace with a 10, or a 10 with an ace), the hole card rule decides what you lose.
In a Las Vegas game the dealer checks for blackjack before you act. If it is there, the hand ends and you lose one bet. In Australia you find out after you have already put extra money out. That is the whole difference, and it is a big one.
The four versions: what a dealer blackjack takes
- OBO (original bets only): you lose your first bet only. Extra money from doubles and splits comes back.
- BB+1 (busted bets plus one): the dealer takes any busted bets, plus one more unit from whatever is left.
- OBBO (original and busted bets only): the dealer takes any busted bets, plus one unit from each hand still standing. You risk extra split money, but not extra double money.
- ENHC (European no hole card): the dealer takes everything on the table.
These definitions follow Wizard of Odds (Australian Blackjack page, updated August 2026). Which one applies depends on the casino, so check the doubling and splitting clauses in its current rules.
What you lose, in dollars
We worked through two common hands with a A$20 starting bet. The dealer shows a 10, you act, then the dealer draws an ace for blackjack:
| Your play | Money on the table | OBO | BB+1 | OBBO | ENHC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double 11 against a 10 | A$40 | A$20 | A$20 | A$20 | A$40 |
| Split 8,8 against a 10 (no bust) | A$40 (two hands) | A$20 | A$20 | A$40 | A$40 |
| Just hit or stand | A$20 | A$20 | A$20 | A$20 | A$20 |
Look at the last row. If you do not add money, every rule costs the same. The rule only matters when you double or split, and that is exactly where the strategy changes.
How often does the dealer get blackjack?
Think the risk is too small to worry about? Here are the rough numbers (with many decks in the shoe):
- Dealer shows a 10: about 1 time in 13 the next card is an ace (roughly 7.7%).
- Dealer shows an ace: about 4 times in 13 the next card is a 10, jack, queen or king (roughly 30.8%).
- Dealer shows 2 to 9: no blackjack is possible, so the rule does not matter.
Against an ace, nearly one hand in three ends in a dealer blackjack. That is why the ace column changes the most.
How your strategy changes (ENHC)
If the rules say a dealer blackjack takes everything, make these changes against a 10 or an ace:
- 11 against a 10: hit, do not double.
- 11 and 10 against an ace: hit.
- 8,8 against a 10 or an ace: hit, do not split.
- A,A against an ace: hit, do not split (still split aces against a 10).
- Everything against 2 to 9: no change. The dealer cannot have blackjack.
Under OBO you play the normal hole card chart. Under OBBO, according to Wizard of Odds, you still double 11 against a 10 (the double is safe) but hit 8,8 against a 10 and A,A against an ace. Under BB+1 you split them.
How much does ENHC cost you if you play it correctly? Wizard of Odds puts it at about 0.10% more house edge than BB+1. Small, but only if you adjust. Keep doubling 11 into a 10 and it costs more.
Our blackjack strategy chart has an ENHC setting, and the blackjack trainer explains each of these hands when you get them wrong.
Three myths about the missing hole card
- "The dealer's second card was meant for me." No. Every unseen card is equally likely to be anything. The order does not change the odds.
- "No hole card means the casino can cheat." No. The second card comes from the same shoe or shuffler, in full view.
- "Insurance protects my double." Insurance is a separate side bet that pays 2 to 1 if the dealer makes blackjack. For a player who is not counting cards it loses money over time, with or without a hole card.
Summary for the table
| Dealer shows | What to do differently under ENHC |
|---|---|
| 2 to 9 | Nothing. Play normal basic strategy |
| 10 | Hit 11, hit 8,8. Still split A,A |
| Ace | Hit 10, hit 11, hit 8,8, hit A,A |
For the full picture of Aussie tables (doubling on 9-11, soft 17, payouts) see our Australian blackjack rules guide. Just starting out? Read how to play blackjack first.
Frequently asked questions
What does no hole card mean in blackjack?
The dealer starts with one face-up card and draws the second only after all players act. There is no face-down card, so the dealer cannot check for blackjack early.
Do all Australian casinos use no hole card?
Yes, no hole card is the standard in Australia. What differs is the rule for your extra bets when the dealer makes blackjack (OBO, BB+1, OBBO or ENHC).
What happens if I double and the dealer gets blackjack?
Under ENHC you lose the whole doubled stake. Under OBO, BB+1 and OBBO you lose one unit from that hand, and the extra money comes back.
Should I split aces against a 10 with no hole card?
Yes, even under ENHC. Two hands starting on an ace are strong enough to be worth the risk against a 10. Against a dealer ace, hit instead.
Is no hole card blackjack worse for the player?
Slightly, under ENHC (about 0.10% compared with BB+1, according to Wizard of Odds), and only if you adjust your play. OBO is mathematically the same as a hole card game.
Does the free game on this site use no hole card?
Yes. Our free game deals the dealer's second card after you finish, so you can practise the Aussie rule with practice points only.
Practise the no hole card rule for free
The fastest way to stop doubling into a dealer blackjack is to feel it happen with practice points instead of real money. Play a few hands on our free blackjack game.