Let’s deal you in.

Feeling competitive? It’s time to take a seat at the Blackjack tables and show the dealer what you’re made of.

Your goal? To get as close to 21 without going over — and beat the dealer. It really is that easy, but you’ll need to understand a few basics first. Let’s jump in.

The Cards: Every card has a point

Every card in Blackjack is assigned a specific point value:

• Numbered cards (2 through 10) are worth their face value
• Picture cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are worth 10 points
• Aces are worth one point or 11 points (your call on how to use them)

The Hands: Learn the lingo

If you’ve ever played live, you’ve probably heard the dealer or other players refer to soft hands, hard hands, and pushes. Here’s what they mean:

• Blackjack -> Two cards that add up to 21
• Soft hand -> Two cards featuring one Ace
• Hard hand -> Two cards without an Ace
• Push -> Having the same hand as the dealer’s hand

You don’t have to worry about suits in traditional Blackjack. Hitting Blackjack with an Ace of spades and a 10 of diamonds gets you the same payout as hitting Blackjack with an Ace of hearts and a King of clubs.

But there’s one exception to the suits rule. On some Blackjack tables, you can place a side bet. In some cases, you get paid more if your cards (often along with the dealer’s cards) share the same suit.

The Moves: It’s time to decide

Blackjack is a game of decisions. During each round, you’ll be invited to decide what to do with your hand. Here are your choices:

• Hit -> Ask the dealer for another card
• Stand -> No more cards
• Double down -> Double your bet (but you’ll only get one more card)
• Split -> Split the cards into two separate hands (you’ll get another card on each new hand, and another round of decisions will follow)

Let’s play a quick game

Step 1: Place your bets

Move your chips from your stack onto the virtual felt.

Step 2: Hit the Deal button

The dealer will deal two cards to you (both face up) and two cards to themselves (one face up, one face down). In this example, let’s assume that your two cards don’t add up to 21.

Step 3: If the dealer has a 10 or an Ace, they’ll check for 21

If a 10 is showing and the dealer discovers a face down Ace, the game ends and the dealer wins. If an Ace is showing, players are invited to take insurance before the dealer checks for a 10. It’s a simple side bet that pays out if the dealer has Blackjack.

Step 4: If the dealer does not have 21, it’s time to make your move

This is where you’ll decide to hit, stand, split, or double down. If you go over 21, you’ll automatically lose. If you stop accepting more cards and you’re holding 21 or less, the game continues.

Step 5: Find out what the dealer has

The dealer will flip over their face-down card. If they’re holding 16 or anything less, they’ll hit. And they’ll keep hitting until they’re holding 17 or above.

One thing to keep in mind here. The rules for hitting on a soft 17 vary. On some tables, the dealer stands on all hands that total 17. On other tables, the dealer hits on a soft 17. The rule that applies is printed right on the table, so there are never any surprises.

Step 6: Get paid out

If your hand is higher than the dealer’s hand, you’ll get paid out 1:1. That means if you bet $25, you’ll win $25. If the dealer’s hand is higher, you’ll lose. If you both have the same hand, you push (you’ve tied with the dealer, so you won’t win anything, but you won’t lose either).

What happens if you hit Blackjack right off the bat

If your first two cards add up to 21, congrats. You’ve hit Blackjack. If the dealer isn’t showing an Ace or a 10, you’ll get paid out immediately. Most Blackjack tables on Caesars Palace Online Casino pay out 3:2.

If the dealer is showing a 10, they’ll check for an Ace. If they have it, it’s a push.

If the dealer is showing an Ace, you might have the opportunity to take even money instead of the more lucrative 3:2 payout. Keep in mind that the even money choice isn’t always available.

Choose your Blackjack game at Caesars Palace Online Casino

Remember how we told you Blackjack is a game of decisions? Well, your first one starts before you even sit down to play. At Caesars Palace Online Casino, you’ll find all kinds of Blackjack games to choose from.

Want to go for 21? Sign up for Caesars Palace Online Casino today.