How Do You Play Single Blackjack?

In single blackjack, also called “European blackjack,” the player competes against the dealer only. The player is given two cards face up, while the dealer is given one card face up and one card face down.

If the player’s two cards total 21, this is called a blackjack and the player wins immediately. Otherwise, the player can choose to hit (take another card), stand (keep the current hand), double down (double the bet and take one more card), or split (if the first two cards have the same value, the player can split them into two separate hands).

If the player hits and goes over 21, this is called a “bust” and the player loses immediately. If the player stands, then it is either a draw or the dealer’s turn.

If the dealer busts, then the player wins. If neither the player nor dealer busts, then whoever has the highest hand total wins.

There are a few other things to note about single blackjack. First, if both the player and dealer have blackjack, it is a push (a tie) and no money changes hands. Second, if the dealer has an ace showing, he will offer “insurance” to the players.

Insurance is a side bet that pays 2-to-1 if the dealer has blackjack. It should be noted that insurance is a sucker bet that should almost never be made.

To summarize, single blackjack is played by one person against the dealer with both players being dealt two cards initially. The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Blackjack beats all other hand totals of 21 and pays 3-to-2 odds.

If both the player and dealer have blackjack it pushes (ties) and no money changes hands. Other than that, whoever has the highest hand total wins unless someone busts first in which case they automatically lose.