Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games, yet a frequent question arises: What if both the player and the dealer get blackjack?
This blog post explains how such scenarios are handled, including what happens to your stake and how certain situations are resolved. A few examples are included to make the rules easier to understand.
Read on to learn more.
What Happens When Both Player And Dealer Hit Blackjack
At the start of a blackjack round, both the player and the dealer receive two cards each. If these first two cards include an Ace and a 10‑value card (10, Jack, Queen or King), the hand is called a natural blackjack. Natural blackjack may offer a higher return than a standard winning hand, though this only applies under certain circumstances.
If both the player and dealer are dealt a natural blackjack, the outcome differs from the usual payout scenario. In this case, the result is not considered a win for either side—it is a tie, often referred to as a push. The player’s original stake is returned, but no additional premium is awarded for the blackjack.
In many land‑based games, when the dealer’s face‑up card is an Ace or a 10‑value card, they will often check for blackjack before the round continues. If the dealer has one and the player also holds a natural blackjack, the hand is immediately declared a push. Play ends for that round, and the stake is returned with no gain or loss.
The key point here is that the higher return for natural blackjack usually only applies if the dealer does not also hold blackjack.
How Is A Blackjack Tie Determined?
A tie occurs whenever the player and dealer finish with the same hand total and neither exceeds 21. This includes totals such as 17, 18, 19 or 20.
The situation becomes more specific when 21 is reached. If both the player and dealer reach 21 using more than two cards, the hand is generally considered a push. However, if the dealer has a natural blackjack and the player reaches 21 with three or more cards, the dealer’s hand takes priority.
Different blackjack tables or variants may have small differences. Some specialised games, such as Double Exposure or Blackjack Switch, might treat ties differently, for instance, favouring the dealer in all cases except natural vs natural. In standard blackjack, though, equal hand totals usually lead to a push, including when both sides have natural blackjacks.
Does A Tie Affect Your Winnings In Blackjack?
When a push happens, no extra amount is added to your balance, but the stake is returned in full. This applies to situations such as:
- Matching totals between 17 and 20
- Both sides reaching 21 with three or more cards
- Both player and dealer holding a natural two‑card blackjack
It is worth emphasising that the usual higher return for natural blackjack only occurs if the dealer does not also have one. If a push arises because both sides have natural blackjack, no extra payout is given.
The same principle applies to hands that have been doubled down or split. If such a hand ends with the same total as the dealer, the stake—including any extra bets—is returned.
Side bets, however, are separate. They may still win or lose even if the main hand is a push, because they are typically based on card combinations or other conditions not linked to the main hand result. Always review the rules of any table you are playing at to understand how these additional wagers are resolved.
Examples Of Tied Blackjack Hands
Consider the opening deal where both the player and dealer receive an Ace and a 10‑value card. Each hand is a natural blackjack, and under standard rules, the round is declared a push. The player’s stake is returned and no premium is applied.
Other examples include:
- The player holds a 10 and an 8, while the dealer has 9 and 9. Both total 18. Neither is a natural blackjack, so the hand is a push.
- The player reaches 21 with three cards (for example, 7, 4 and 10), and the dealer also reaches 21 with three cards. This is likewise a push.
- If the dealer has a natural blackjack and the player reaches 21 with more than two cards, the dealer wins because natural blackjack outranks other 21 totals.
These examples illustrate how the rules operate in hypothetical play.
If you choose to play blackjack or any other casino game, make sure you follow responsible gambling practices. Only wager amounts you are comfortable with, take breaks, and treat betting as occasional entertainment.
If gambling starts to affect your well‑being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential guidance for anyone who needs it.
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**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.