American Blackjack at PokerStars Casino

Typically played in casinos across North America, American Blackjack is one of the most popular blackjack variants in the world. Head over to PokerStars Single Player tables now and see what the fuss is about!

The aim in American Blackjack is to beat the dealer, and at the start of each hand six 52-card decks are shuffled together.

Dealers receive one hole card and automatically check for blackjack if they have an ace or ten-value card. They will stand on a soft 17 (a hand containing an ace that totals either seven or 17). Should you hit blackjack you will be paid at 3:2 odds.

The minimum bet in American Blackjack is €1, but more betting options become available as hands progress. Players can double down on any two-card hand. That means you can double your initial bet, so long as you are committed to ‘standing’ after receiving one additional card from the dealer.

Players can also split two cards if they are paired or of equal value. So if you are dealt eight-eight, two-two, king-jack, queen-ten, or other similar combinations, you can create two hands for an additional wager of the same amount. Here are some additional rules on splitting:

• Players can split twice for three hands in total, except when dealt a pair or aces
• Players who split on a pair of aces will receive only one additional card
• Players can double down on any two-card or equal value hand, including after a non-ace pair split
• If you have been dealt blackjack, and the dealer is showing an ace, even money is a special type of insurance bet that can be made. If you decide to take even money, the payout will be 1:1, regardless of whether the dealer has blackjack or not. If you do not take even money, the hand will play out as normal.

As with Micro Blackjack players are not allowed to ‘surrender’ in American Blackjack games. But if you think the dealer is about to hit blackjack, you can buy ‘insurance’. This means should the dealer hit blackjack, you’ll be paid 2:1 on your bet.

In the mobile version of the game even money is offered instead of insurance when the player has blackjack.

The theoretical return to player (RTP) for American Blackjack is 99.64%. For more on how to play the game, visit our Blackjack Rules page.