Going over 21 in blackjack, resulting in an automatic loss.
A bust occurs when your hand total exceeds 21 in blackjack. If you bust, you lose your bet immediately, regardless of what the dealer's hand turns out to be. This is the house's primary advantage — the player acts first and can bust before the dealer even plays.
The "bust risk" is a key consideration in blackjack strategy. Hitting a hard 16 against a dealer's 10 is risky (you'll bust about 62% of the time), but basic strategy says to hit because standing is even worse in the long run.
Dealer bust rates vary by upcard: a dealer showing a 6 busts about 42% of the time, while a dealer showing an Ace busts only about 17%. This is why you play more conservatively when the dealer shows 2-6 (they're more likely to bust) and more aggressively when they show 7-A.
You hit a hard 15 against a dealer 10 at a Bellagio blackjack table, draw a 9, and bust with 24 — instant loss of your $50 wager. Dealer upcards 2-6 are called bust cards because the forced-draw rule makes the dealer bust 35-42% of the time. Upcards 7-Ace bust only 17-23% of the time.
Player bust rate on random play exceeds 28%; with basic strategy it drops to about 16%. The rule that the player acts first — and loses immediately on a bust even if the dealer later busts too — is the single largest contributor to the blackjack house edge. Surrender (where offered) lets you bail on hard 16 vs 9/10/Ace for half your wager, cutting expected loss from -54 cents to -50 cents. Take late surrender every time it is offered.
<p>You hit a <strong>hard 15 against a dealer 10</strong> at a Bellagio blackjack table, draw a 9, and bust with 24 — instant loss of your $50 wager. Dealer upcards 2-6 are called <strong>bust cards</strong> because the forced-draw rule makes the dealer bust 35-42% of the time. Upcards 7-Ace bust only 17-23% of the time.</p><p>Player bust rate on random play exceeds 28%; with basic strategy it drops to about 16%. The rule that the player acts first — and loses immediately on a bust even if the dealer later busts too — is the single largest contributor to the blackjack house edge. Surrender (where offered) lets you bail on hard 16 vs 9/10/Ace for half your wager, cutting expected loss from -54 cents to -50 cents. Take late surrender every time it is offered.</p>
To request another card in blackjack.
To keep your current hand and take no more cards in blackjack.
The mathematically optimal play for every possible hand in blackjack.
The mathematical advantage the casino has over players, expressed as a percentage of each bet.
Going over 21 in blackjack, resulting in an automatic loss.
<p>You hit a <strong>hard 15 against a dealer 10</strong> at a Bellagio blackjack table, draw a 9, and bust with 24 — instant loss of your $50 wager. Dealer upcards 2-6 are called <strong>bust cards</strong> because the forced-draw rule makes the dealer bust 35-42% of the time. Upcards 7-Ace bust only 17-23% of the time.</p><p>Player bust rate on random play exceeds 28%; with basic strategy it drops to about 16%. The rule that the player acts first — and loses immediately on a bust even if the dealer later busts too — is the single largest contributor to the blackjack house edge. Surrender (where offered) lets you bail on hard 16 vs 9/10/Ace for half your wager, cutting expected loss from -54 cents to -50 cents. Take late surrender every time it is offered.</p>
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