Blackjack basics
The goal, the hand values and the choices you make each round.
Blackjack is a card game where you play against the dealer, not against other players. The aim is to finish with a hand worth more than the dealer’s without going over 21. Stake lists blackjack as a live dealer table, as RNG versions in the table games section and as a version in the Stake Originals catalogue.
Card values#
Number cards count at face value, face cards count 10, and an ace counts 1 or 11, whichever helps the hand. A two-card hand of an ace and a ten-value card is a blackjack and usually pays more than an ordinary win. The table rules on the game screen state the exact payout.
| Hand | Value |
|---|---|
| 2 to 10 | Face value |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
| Ace | 1 or 11 |
| Ace plus a ten-value card | Blackjack |
Your choices#
After the first two cards you choose how to play the hand.
- Hit to take another card.
- Stand to keep your total.
- Double to double your bet and take exactly one more card, where the table allows it.
- Split to divide a pair into two hands, where the table allows it.
If your total passes 21 you bust and lose the round straight away. The dealer follows fixed rules for drawing, so the dealer has no decisions to make.
Live, RNG and Originals#
Live blackjack streams a real dealer and shared tables. Stake lists it in the live casino beside roulette, baccarat, poker-style tables and game shows. RNG blackjack deals digitally at your pace, which suits short sessions and mobile play. The Stake Originals version is a digital table made for the platform. Limits, side bets and rules appear on each game screen, so check them before the first hand.
Side bets are separate wagers on the cards, such as a pair in your first two cards. They are independent of the main hand and have their own conditions.
Playing a session#
A simple plan works better than guessing. Pick a table whose minimum bet fits your balance, keep every bet the same size and avoid raising stakes after a loss. Basic strategy tables, which show the best move for each hand, are widely published and reduce mistakes; they do not remove the house edge.
Where to play#
Stake accepts deposits in naira and lists blackjack across its live casino and table games. The Stake casino page describes the lobby, and the Stake review covers payments, the app and the licence. For other brands that take naira, see the real money casinos hub or the reviews hub.
If you enjoy table games, baccarat and roulette are the nearest neighbours.
Play within limits#
Blackjack rewards calm play, and a losing run is normal. Decide your budget before you sit down, leave when it is reached and use your account’s deposit limits. Players must be 18 or older.