Blackjack Basic Strategy

At Maya Casino, we know the excitement of casino games comes from understanding the rules, and blackjack is one of the easiest games to master. While most casino games take hours or days to learn, blackjack stands out for its simplicity and fast-paced gameplay.

Today, we’ll break down the rules of blackjack at Maya Casino, helping you dive into the action with confidence and a solid understanding of the game.

Objective of the Game

Whether you’re playing at a table or online at Maya Casino, the goal in blackjack is straightforward: beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21.

• If your hand total goes over 21, you go “bust” and lose automatically.

• If your first two cards total 21 (an Ace and a 10-value card), that’s a blackjack, which wins instantly—unless the dealer also has 21.

Cards and Their Values

Blackjack at Maya Casino uses a standard deck of cards:

• Numbered cards (2–10): Face value

• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): Worth 10 points each

• Ace: Can be 1 or 11, whichever benefits your hand most

Blackjack Rules: Game Flow at Maya Casino

1. Betting Phase
   Players place their bets in the designated area before the cards are dealt.
2. Dealing Phase
   The dealer gives two cards to each player and two to themselves. Players’ cards are usually face-up; the dealer has one face-up and one face-down card.
3. Player Actions
   Players decide whether to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender. At Maya Casino, you can use our detailed guides to optimize your decisions.
4. Dealer’s Action
   Once all players act, the dealer reveals the hidden card and plays according to house rules.
5. Hand Comparison
   The dealer’s hand is compared to the players’, and winners are paid out.

Key Gameplay Options

Hit or Stand

• Hit: Take another card to improve your total.

• Stand: Keep your current hand. Use the dealer’s visible card to inform your decision.

Splitting

• If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two hands with an additional bet. Each hand is played separately.

Double Down

• Double your original bet and receive one more card. This is ideal when your hand totals 9, 10, or 11.

Game Preparation and Special Rules at Maya Casino

Shuffle and Cut

• The deck is shuffled and cut to prevent predictability. In live games, you may even have the chance to cut the deck yourself.

Dealing and Reshuffling

• After several rounds, the deck is reshuffled to ensure fairness and randomness.

Insurance and Payouts

• If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you can place an insurance bet. This side bet pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.

• Standard blackjack payouts:
  • Regular win: 1:1

  • Blackjack/natural: 3:2

  • Push (tie): Bet is returned

Special Rules for Splitting and Doubling Down

• Splitting: Some games allow re-splitting for extra chances to win.

• Doubling Down: Usually allowed on totals of 9, 10, or 11, with some variations allowing it after splitting.

Ties and Decks

• If you tie with the dealer, the round is a push and your bet is returned.

• Maya Casino uses 4–8 decks in blackjack games for variety and challenge.

Why Knowing Blackjack Rules Matters

Understanding blackjack rules at Maya Casino helps you make smarter decisions at the table. By mastering when to hit, stand, split, or double down, you gain control of the game. Once comfortable with the basics, you can move on to advanced strategies and take full advantage of all the betting options Maya Casino offers.