This bet predicts the dealer’s remaining face-down card will score 10 – resulting in a house blackjack. If the dealer’s own face-up card is an ace, any players at the table can take up a side bet for up to half the amount of their original stake. Remember that once a surrender is actioned, you’ll no longer be able to take part in the hand – even if the dealer goes bust.Online games with this option will display a surrender button. In a live game, players can indicate they want to surrender by running a finger across the table behind their bet. Not all tables will allow a surrender – so always check the table rules.When this happens, half of your original bet is returned, and those cards are withdrawn from that play. If the house permits players to surrender, you can choose to fold your original hand before drawing any extra cards.Remember, the dealer cannot split or double down.When a hand consists of a pair of 5s, you can choose to split the pair, double down as described, or simply play out the hand as normal.( Please note: doubling down can sometimes be played with the card facing up). This card is left face down and must not be turned over until the betting is settled.When your turn arrives, simply place a bet which equals your original bet, and you’ll be dealt one additional card. If you have an original two-card hand totalling 9, 10, or 11, you have the option of doubling your bet.When you split a pair of aces, you’ll be dealt one more card for each ace, and may not draw further cards. The outcome of each hand is treated separately.Then the hand to the right is played likewise. Once split, you must play your leftmost hand first, by hitting or standing one or more times.Your original bet goes on one of the pairs, and you must stake an equal amount on the other hand. two 7s), you can choose to ‘split’ them into two separate hands. When your first two cards have the same value (e.g.Want to learn more blackjack lingo? See our glossary of blackjack terms. And at William Hill, we’ve turned this data into simple blackjack strategy charts for both single-deck and 4-8 deck versions of the game – to help you decide how to play any blackjack hand.īrush up on your basic blackjack rules – read our ‘ how to play blackjack’ guide. Should you ‘hit’ when dealt a hand of ‘17’? Do you know when to split, double down or surrender? Take your decision-making skills to the next level with our basic blackjack strategy.īasic blackjack strategy is derived from computer simulations, which have determined the best blackjack play in every possible situation.

Basic blackjack strategy table