Blackjack Explained – Dealer Rules

In a game of Blackjack, the dealer in fact does not make any decision with respect to the hands that they play. A Blackjack dealer must play strictly to the rules of Blackjack. This means that it is almost a mechanical function in what a Blackjack dealer does. The dealer does not have any discretion as to how they play their hand.

A dealer must continue to deal cards to themselves until the value of their hand is at least 17. The dealer must stand on anything above 17. This means that if a dealer has a King and a 5, totaling 15, they must deal themselves another card. A player is totally free to draw as many cards as he or she likes, but must not go over 21. A player can also sit on any number he or she likes.

Unlike a player, a dealer is not allowed to split pairs.