Dealer Rules for Blackjack for Beginners: Learn Blackjack Dealing Rules
In a land-based or live casino, blackjack games are always contested between you and the dealer. It’s a heads-up contest where the best hand emerges as the winner. But casinos aren’t the ones taking the risk — that’s on the players. So, how do they guarantee that the dealer always has the edge, and more importantly, how do they ensure that every dealer plays consistently and the casino is not exposed to sub-optimal play?
How Do Dealers Know What to Do in a Game of Blackjack?
In our guide, “What are the best and worst starting hands in blackjack”, we mentioned that 16 was the worst starting hand in the game. It puts you in a challenging position, as it’s probably not strong enough to win (your exact odds will depend on the dealer’s upcard), yet your odds of avoiding a bust are slim.
It gives you a tough decision and is not the only one you’ll have.
Whether you’re deciding whether to hit on 15, 16, or 17, blackjack is all about calculating probability and acting accordingly.
Obviously, the dealer can’t do that. The casino doesn’t want a trigger-happy dealer hitting on 17 or 18. They also need consistency to ensure the house edge stays the same and dealer skill is removed from the equation.
That’s where blackjack dealer rules come into play.
What are the Dealer Rules for Blackjack?
Every casino implements specific blackjack dealing rules that instruct the dealer how to act. There’s only one important rule here; often, it is printed on the table. Most of the time, it will say something like this:
Dealer stands on soft 17.
A “soft” hand contains an ace, which can be 1 or 11. So, if the dealer has a 16, they will take another card, regardless of whether their hand contains an ace. They will stand if they have a 17 with an ace, such as an ace and a 6.
Technically, they could take another card without busting, as anything over a 4 would cause that ace to revert to a 1, but this rule means they will always stand.
Unlike the player, the dealer can’t split, double, or surrender, so they have no other decision. They check their cards, hit until they reach 17, and then stand.
Do Dealers Always Stand on Soft 17?
Table rules vary, and dealers won’t always stand on soft 17. The rules may require them to hit. If the dealer hits on soft 17, it increases the house edge by 0.21%, as it gives them more ways to draw a strong hand.
Read the game info before you play to check this rule.
What Creates the House Edge in Blackjack?
The house edge in blackjack is influenced by two main factors: the player’s position and the probability vs payouts.
The Player’s Position
The player always acts first in blackjack, putting the dealer in a strong position. Players constantly push themselves to get the best possible hand, which means there is always a risk they will exceed 21 and bust (learn more about these basic rules in our how to play blackjack guide). If the player busts, they lose—the dealer’s hand is irrelevant.
If multiple hands are active simultaneously and the dealer busts, only active hands will win. In other words, the dealer still wins if there is a double bust.
Probability vs Payouts
As with all casino games, there is a discrepancy between the implied probability and the payout.
Although it’s an optional bet, insurance is the best way of understanding this.
Insurance costs you half the wager and pays 2:1, which means it needs to win 33.33% of the time for you to break even over an extended session. But the actual odds of the dealer making a blackjack with an ace on the table is 31.37%, creating a difference of 1.97% that’s firmly in the casino’s favor.
How Blackjack Rules Change the House Edge
Whether or not the dealer stands on soft 17 is just one of the dealer rules for blackjack that can impact the house edge:
Blackjack Payouts: 3:2 is the preferred payout and offers a lower house edge compared to 6:5 and 1:1 payouts.
5-Card Charlie: If the player has a 5-card hand that doesn’t bust, they win the hand, significantly increasing their chances.
Surrender: The ability to give up a hand to get half the stake returned. It’s popular among blackjack pros and improves the edge when played optimally.
Splitting and re-splitting: These rules slightly improve the house edge.
The number of decks also changes the house edge. There is a big jump between 1 and 2 decks, and the edge steadily increases.
Summary: Blackjack Dealer Rules for Beginners
If you want the best chance of winning at blackjack, look for tables that stand on soft 17, use a single deck, and allow splitting and surrendering. If no such games are available, look for ones with as many of these rules and features as you can find.
For more advice on optimal blackjack play, check out our multi-hand blackjack tutorial, where we describe some of the methods used by pros.
Blackjack Common Queries
What is the role of the blackjack dealer?
The dealer deals cards to themselves and all active players. They must then follow the rules on the table when playing their hand.
What are the basic rules for a blackjack dealer's hand?
It depends on the rules set by the table. Usually, they must draw to a soft 17 and then stand.
Can the blackjack dealer choose to hit or stand?
They have the decisions taken away from them by the table rules.
What happens if the blackjack dealer busts?
All active players win. However, a player who has already busted will lose the hand.
Do blackjack dealer rules differ in different casinos or blackjack variations?
Yes, the rules and the number of decks used can differ. Side bets also play a role.
Comments (0)