Blackjack is a popular casino card game, and getting an ace with a ten-value card on the first two cards is a highlight for any player. But when the dealer shows the same two-card total, it can leave you wondering what comes next.
This article explains the rules and common outcomes when both the player and dealer have blackjack, so you’ll know exactly what to expect if it happens at your table.
Read on for clear explanations, examples, and a few practical points to check before you play.
What Is Considered a Blackjack in Casinos?
A blackjack is a two-card hand that totals 21: an ace paired with a ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King). In that combination, the ace is counted as 11 to complete the 21 total. Hands that reach 21 using three or more cards do not count as a blackjack for the purpose of special payouts or rules.
Casinos check for blackjack at the start of a round because it determines how the hand proceeds. If either side has that two-card 21, play may stop immediately for that hand and the appropriate outcome is applied.
Typical outcomes when a two-card blackjack is present include:
- Player has a blackjack and dealer does not: the player receives the blackjack payout, subject to the house rules and any applicable limits.
- Dealer has a blackjack and player does not: the dealer wins and the player’s bet is lost, subject to any insurance or side bets.
- Both player and dealer have a blackjack: the hand is usually a push, meaning the player’s stake is returned.
- Neither has a blackjack: play continues according to the standard rules of the game.
Specific payout amounts and exact procedures can vary between casinos and tables, so it is always advisable to check the posted rules before playing. Remember to gamble responsibly and within your limits.
How Do Draws Work in Blackjack?
When the player’s and dealer’s final hand totals match, the result is called a push. In a push your original stake is returned; there is no win or loss on that particular bet. This applies whether the matching totals come from two cards or from several cards.
A push keeps the transaction straightforward: the player’s balance goes back to its pre-bet level and play continues with the next round if the player chooses to stay at the table.
Key points to note about pushes:
- The returned stake applies to the main bet; any separate side bets are settled according to their own rules and may still win or lose.
- A push is different from a dealer blackjack, which has its own outcomes and payout rules.
- Insurance bets, if taken, are resolved independently and do not automatically become pushes when the main hand ties.
Because a push results in no net gain or loss on the main bet, many players regard it as a neutral outcome that simply lets them move on to the next decision. Remember to gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose.
What Occurs When Both Player and Dealer Have Blackjack?
When both the player and dealer have blackjack right from the deal, the standard outcome is a push. Neither side wins, and the player’s stake is returned. The hand ends immediately in most standard rulesets because both hands meet the condition for blackjack.
This outcome applies only when each hand is a two-card 21 combination. If either hand reaches 21 in more than two cards, it is not considered a blackjack and standard 21 rules apply. No extra payout is applied for a matched blackjack under normal rules, so you will not receive the usual 3:2 or other blackjack bonus when the dealer also has blackjack.
House Rules: Do All Casinos Treat Tied Blackjacks the Same?
Most venues follow the push outcome, but there are occasional variations in specific games or side rules. These variations are uncommon, and any differences should be clearly stated where the game is offered. Always look for posted rules or a terms sheet if you are unsure.
Before you play, check the table or game rules so you know whether any special conditions apply to blackjacks or tied outcomes. In particular, confirm:
- whether blackjacks are paid at the standard rate or treated differently in ties,
- how side bets are settled when both hands have blackjack,
- any local or site-specific rules that alter pushes or payouts.
A quick check prevents surprises and helps you understand how side bets, if available, may be affected.
Does the Player Win Anything If Both Get Blackjack?
If both sides have blackjack, the player does not receive a win. Under the standard rule this situation is treated as a push, so the original bet is returned to the player and no additional winnings are paid.
There is no special payout for a tied blackjack in the typical set of outcomes. Players should note that this is the usual house rule at most casinos and in most online versions of the game.
If a particular game offers a different result, that will be detailed in the game’s rules. Always check the specific table or game rules before you play so you know how ties are handled and what effect they have on your account balance.
What About Side Bets in This Situation?
Side bets are optional wagers that pay out according to separate conditions, such as matching ranks or specific card combinations. They are placed in addition to your main blackjack stake and are judged on their own rules, so the result of the main hand does not always determine whether a side bet wins or loses.
The effect of a tied blackjack on any side bets depends entirely on those separate conditions. In some cases a push on the main hand will have no impact on the side bet, because the side bet looks for a particular pair, suit or sequence regardless of whether the hand is a win, loss or push.
Other side bets are linked more closely to the main hand outcome. For example, some pay only if the player wins with a particular combination, or if both player and dealer have matching ranks. Whether a push removes the chance to collect a side-bet payout depends on the exact wording of the bet.
Check the side-bet terms and the table paytable for the exact criteria and payouts so you understand how a matched blackjack hand interacts with those additional wagers. Also be aware that side bets typically carry a higher house edge and different risk profile to the main game, so review the rules before staking money.
Are There Common Myths About Tied Blackjacks?
A few misconceptions circulate among players. Clearing these up helps you make sense of results when they happen at the table and avoids false expectations about payouts.
Common myths include:
- A tied blackjack must mean a player loss or an automatic win. In practice the usual result is that the stake is returned to the player, unless the house rules state otherwise.
- Special bonuses always apply when both sides get blackjack. This is only true if the rules for that particular game explicitly state that such bonuses are paid.
Always check the specific table or site rules before you play, because individual casinos and online providers can vary how they treat ties and bonus payments. If in doubt, ask the dealer or customer service for clarification so you know what to expect.
Summary: Key Points to Remember About Joint Blackjacks
Here are the main points to take away so you can move on from the table with confidence:
- The standard outcome for both player and dealer having blackjack is a push, which returns the player’s stake.
- Rule variations exist, so review the game or table terms to see how tied blackjacks and side bets are handled.
- If side bets are active, their terms determine whether they pay out when the main hand is a tied blackjack.
- Keep stakes within sensible limits and check the rules before you play to avoid surprises.
Understanding these rules makes tied blackjacks simple: most of the time you get your bet back and the round ends. Take a moment to check the table rules, then you’ll know exactly what to expect next time it happens.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.