How to Play Blackjack (Vegas-style)
Blackjack is the best first table game because it’s simple, fast, and your decisions matter. This page teaches the real Vegas flow: how to sit down, what to say, the hand signals cameras expect, and the rule differences that change the value of the game (especially 3:2 vs 6:5 payouts).
1) Start Playing in 3 Minutes
Exactly what to do when you arrive at the table.
Step-by-step: from standing to your first hand
| Step | What you do | What to say (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watch one round. Find the minimum bet sign and confirm it fits your budget. | — |
| 2 | When a seat opens, stand behind it and wait for the dealer’s eye contact or a nod. | “Is this spot open?” |
| 3 | Buy in: place cash flat on the table (don’t hand it directly to the dealer). | “Change, please.” |
| 4 | Dealer gives chips. Stack them neatly in front of you, behind the betting circle. | — |
| 5 | When the dealer says “Place your bets,” put chips in your circle (inside the line). | — |
| 6 | Cards are dealt. You decide: Hit / Stand / Double / Split using hand signals. | “Hit” / “Stand” etc. (signals are better) |
| 7 | Round ends. If you want to leave, wait until the hand finishes, then color up. | “Can I color up?” |
Hand values (30 seconds)
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| 2–10 | Face value |
| J, Q, K | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11 (whichever helps you) |
A hand with an Ace counted as 11 is a soft hand (example: A+6 = soft 17). If the Ace must be 1 to avoid busting, it’s a hard hand.
2) Blackjack Rules (Plain English)
The whole game, without casino jargon.
The goal
Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21. If you go over 21, you bust and lose immediately.
How a round flows
Everyone places bets. Each player gets two cards. The dealer gets two cards (one up, one down). Players act first, one seat at a time, then the dealer plays last.
What the dealer usually does
Most Vegas tables: dealer must hit until 16 and stand on 17. Some tables say “Dealer hits soft 17 (H17)” or “Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17).” That difference matters (S17 is slightly better for players).
Your four core actions
| Action | What it means | When it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | Take one more card. | Anytime on your turn (unless rules restrict after splitting). |
| Stand | Take no more cards. | When you like your total and want to “lock it in.” |
| Double Down | Double your bet, take exactly one card, then stand. | Usually allowed on your first two cards (some tables allow after split). |
| Split | If your first two cards are a pair, split into two hands (add a second bet). | Only when you have a pair on the first two cards; rules vary by table. |
3) Hand Signals (What Vegas Expects)
Simple, camera-friendly, and universally understood.
Use these signals
| Action | Hand Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | Tap the table with a finger (near your cards). | One tap per card is normal. |
| Stand | Wave your open hand side-to-side above the table. | Clear “no more” motion. |
| Double | Place one chip stack next to your original bet (equal amount). | Then usually point with one finger to indicate “one card.” |
| Split | Place a second equal bet next to the first, then make a “V” with two fingers. | Dealer will separate the cards into two hands. |
What to say (short)
Dealers are used to beginners. Keep it simple:
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Buying in | “Change, please.” |
| Unsure of a rule | “Is this 3:2 or 6:5?” / “Do you hit soft 17?” |
| Leaving | “Can I color up?” |
4) Payouts & Table Rules to Check
Two tables can look identical but play totally different.
The sign you should actually read
| Rule on the felt / placard | What it means | Player impact |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack pays 3:2 vs 6:5 | When you get blackjack (A + 10-value), the payout is either 1.5× your bet (3:2) or 1.2× (6:5). | 3:2 preferred 6:5 is a big downgrade |
| Dealer hits soft 17 (H17) vs stands (S17) | Soft 17 = A+6 counted as 17. Some dealers must hit it; others must stand. | S17 slightly better |
| Double after split (DAS) | After you split, can you still double on the new hands? | DAS helps players |
| Re-split Aces & Hitting split Aces | Some tables allow re-splitting Aces; many do not allow hitting after splitting Aces. | Varies |
| Surrender | Give up your hand immediately and lose half your bet. | Can help if available |
5) Common Mistakes (Expensive Ones)
Avoid these and you instantly play better than most tourists.
Mistakes that drain money fast
| Mistake | Why it hurts |
|---|---|
| Ignoring 3:2 vs 6:5 | You get paid less on your best natural hand. |
| Playing side bets “because it’s fun” | Side bets often have much higher house edge than the main game. |
| Doubling when you shouldn’t | Doubling increases variance and locks you into one card. |
| Splitting the wrong pairs | Some splits create two weak hands instead of one decent one. |
| Changing decisions based on “feelings” | Blackjack punishes superstition. Consistency beats vibes. |
Misconceptions (quick truth)
6) Beginner Decision Guide (Simple + Practical)
Not a full strategy chart — just the rules that save beginners the most money.
The “Don’t-Regret-It” Rules
Blackjack has optimal play, but you don’t need perfection to avoid the biggest leaks. Use these as a starter set. They’re designed to be easy to remember at a noisy Vegas table.
| Situation | Do this | Reason (plain) |
|---|---|---|
| If you have 17 or higher | Stand | You’re likely to bust by hitting. |
| If you have 11 | Double (if allowed), otherwise hit | 11 is the best “double” number because one card often makes a strong total. |
| If you have 10 and dealer shows 2–9 | Double (if allowed) | You’re favored to land 20, and dealer is not showing a monster card. |
| If you have 16 and dealer shows 7–A | Hit | Standing on 16 against strong dealer cards loses too often. |
| If you have 12–16 and dealer shows 2–6 | Stand | Dealer is likely to bust if they must hit to 16. |
| Always split Aces and always split 8s | Split | Aces build two strong hands; 8s turn 16 (bad) into two chances to improve. |
| Never split 10s | Stand | 20 is already an excellent hand. |
Soft hands (Ace counted as 11) — one easy rule
With a soft hand (like A+6), you can hit more safely because the Ace can drop from 11 to 1 to prevent a bust. Beginners: don’t panic on soft totals — they’re flexible.
7) Etiquette & Tipping
You’ll look like you’ve done this before.
Table etiquette
- Buy-in with cash on the table, not in the dealer’s hand.
- Don’t touch chips after “no more bets” / after cards are dealt.
- Keep your cards/chips in your area. Don’t reach across the table.
- If you’re unsure, ask one quick question — dealers prefer clarity to chaos.
Tipping (simple)
Tip when you’re winning, when a good session ends, or occasionally during play. Small, consistent tips are normal. Don’t tip out of guilt — tip out of appreciation.
8) Responsible Gaming
The only “winning strategy” that always works.
| Before you play | During play | When you stop |
|---|---|---|
| Set a maximum loss and treat it like a ticket price. | Use a timer. Take breaks. Hydrate. Eat. | Leave when the timer hits — even if you’re “up.” |
| Choose tables you can afford without stress. | Keep bets steady; don’t “recover” with bigger bets. | Cash out and do something else in Vegas. |