Edition: A home version of Blackjack, also called 21, with a rotating dealer, played for points or matchsticks with no money involved. Last checked October 25, 2026
Blackjack Rules: How to Play 21 at Home
Blackjack, or 21, is a simple card game where you try to get as close to 21 as you can without going over. This page covers a friendly home version played for points or matchsticks, plus answers to the rules people argue about most.
- Players
- 2 to 7
- Age
- 7 and up
- Playing time
- 20 to 45 minutes
How to win: Get a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's without going over 21.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Blackjack (21).
Who wins a tie between a player and the dealer?
Nobody, in standard Blackjack.
In standard Blackjack a tie is a push, and the player keeps their bet.
In many home versions, especially in Denmark, the dealer wins ties. Agree on it before you start.
Is 21 with three cards as good as a blackjack?
No.
A blackjack is only an ace and a 10-value card as your first two cards. It beats a regular 21 made with more cards.
Some families treat every 21 the same to keep it simple.
Does the dealer stand on 17 with an ace?
It depends.
It varies between rule sets. Many say the dealer stands on all 17s. Others say the dealer must hit a soft 17, which is an ace and a 6.
At home it is easiest to say the dealer always stands on 17 or more.
Can the dealer choose whether to take another card?
No.
The dealer follows a fixed rule: hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more, no matter what the players have.
Some old home versions let the dealer choose freely. That gives the dealer a big advantage.
What you need
- A standard 52-card deck without jokers
- Matchsticks, buttons or paper and pencil for points
Setup
- 1Pick one player to be the dealer. Switch dealers, for example, every fifth round.
- 2Everyone else gets the same number of matchsticks or points.
- 3The dealer shuffles the cards.
How to play
- 1Each player puts 1 matchstick in front of them before the cards are dealt.
- 2The dealer gives every player 2 cards face up, and takes 1 card face up and 1 face down.
- 3One at a time, players say hit for another card or stand to stop. You may take as many cards as you like.
- 4If you go over 21, you bust and lose the round right away.
- 5When all players are done, the dealer turns over the hidden card.
- 6The dealer must hit on 16 or less and must stand on 17 or more.
- 7If the dealer busts, every player who has not busted wins.
- 8Otherwise, whoever is closer to 21 wins. If you beat the dealer, you get 1 matchstick from the dealer. If you lose, the dealer takes yours. On a tie, called a push, you keep your matchstick, unless you agreed that the dealer wins ties.
Card values
- Cards 2 through 10 count as the number on the card
- Jack, queen and king count as 10
- An ace counts as 1 or 11, whichever is better for your hand
Blackjack
An ace plus a card worth 10 as your first two cards is called a blackjack. It beats every other hand worth 21. In a home game you can agree, for example, that a blackjack wins 2 matchsticks instead of 1.
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Blackjack (21) rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 21 and Blackjack?
They are basically the same game. 21 is often the name for the simpler home version, while Blackjack is the casino name.
What is an ace worth in Blackjack?
1 or 11. You count it whichever way helps your hand most, and you can change it as you get more cards.
Can kids play Blackjack?
Yes. Play for matchsticks or points, and it becomes a great math game for kids who can add numbers.
Source: The standard Blackjack rules, simplified for friendly games at home. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.