Blackjack Hand Signals: The Definitive Player Cheat-Sheet

Blackjack hand signals exist for a reason. In fact, they exist for several reasons, not just to make you look like a blackjack pro.

Here is why hand signals are used for communication in blackjack, according to SiGMA, a leading authority on gambling:

• Clear communication – In a crowded, noisy casino, it would be very easy for the dealer to misunderstand what you say, or hear the play at another table and think it was yours. A system of hand signals reduces this risk.
• Ensuring fairness – Reducing the chance for miscommunication also reduces the risk of foul play by either the player or the casino.
• Dispute resolution – Most casinos have security cameras above blackjack tables that track player moves. This footage can be used to resolve disputes, which is why many casinos insist that players use hand signals.
• Speeding up the game – A quick hand signal is usually faster than actually saying the move – especially at a busy, full table where players are often already talking.
• Noise reduction – On the flip side, having dozens of players simultaneously saying their decisions from a dozen different tables would create chaos. Signals keep the noise down and allow dealers to more easily focus on their job.
• Overcoming language barriers – Casinos often attract customers from all over the globe, some of whom may not speak the local language. Blackjack hand signals are universal, allowing people to play no matter their background.

Mastering Each Signal

We’ll now go through all common hand signals in blackjack and explain how to do them.

In some instances, the hand signal for face-down blackjack is different from the same move in standard face-up blackjack. Our guide covers both variants, letting you play any version of the game you want.

Additionally, the guide assumes you already know how to play blackjack and the different moves you can make. If not, check out our tutorial for a beginner-friendly introduction.

1.      Hit

• Short Definition: A Hit means that you want the dealer to hand you an additional card.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Tap on the table or point at your cards.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Scrape the table with your index finger or your cards.
• When to use: Players should draw additional cards whenever they have a hand total of 11 or less. In other cases, refer to the basic blackjack strategy chart.
• Common mistake: The Hit signal is hard to get wrong. However, rookies may sometimes mistake it for the Double signal (see below).

2.      Stand

• Short Definition: A Stand means that you don’t want to draw additional cards in the current round.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Wave your hand over the chips/cards.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Slide your cards underneath the chips without moving them.
• When to use: Players should Stand if there’s a risk of busting if they draw another card. However, sometimes the risk is worth taking according to blackjack strategy – see here for details.
• Common mistake: Moving the cards under the chips without disturbing them in face-down blackjack can be fiddly. However, this signal is generally clear and easy to perform.

3.      Double Down

• Short Definition: Doubling Down allows you to double the stake in the current round, but you’re forced to draw a single additional card in the current round.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Stack additional chips to double the stake, then point at your cards.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Stack additional chips to double the stake, then point at your cards.
• When to use: Doubling should be done when you have an exceptionally strong hand and low risk of busting with a single hand, such as with a hand total of 11. You should also double hand totals of 9 or 10 if the dealer’s up card is 2-9. Check out this guide for more information.
• Common mistake: Some blackjack tables only allow you to Double certain hand totals. Also, Doubling is often prohibited after a Split. In any case, there are many rule variations concerning Doubling in blackjack, so you should check with the dealer before playing.

4.      Split

• Short Definition: Splitting allows players to split a pair of same-value cards into two separate hands, where each card becomes the first card in its respective hand.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Create a ‘V’ sign using your index finger and your middle finger.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Create a ‘V’ sign using your index finger and your middle finger.
• When to use: Players should split any pair unless it’s 10s or 5s, provided the dealer’s up-card is a 7 or lower. Check out this guide for more details.
• Common mistake: While the hand signal is easy enough to perform, note that you’re also expected to provide the stake for the second hand as well. The stake should be the same as in the initial bet, essentially doubling your total investment.

5.      Surrender

• Short Definition: Forfeits your current hand but pays you back half your stake. Not available at every blackjack table.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Draw an imaginary horizontal line behind your chips.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Draw an imaginary horizontal line behind your chips.
• When to use: According to basic strategy, players should surrender if they have a weak hand (such as a hard 14, 15, or 16) and the dealer is showing an Ace or a 10. There are other specific circumstances, such as a Hard 4, 5, or seven vs. a dealer Ace – check out this guide for more details.
• Common mistake: Rookies often surrender too early or too often because they feel that their hands are weak. However, the dealer’s up-card is more important for determining whether you should surrender or not.

6.      Insurance

• Short Definition: A side bet that can only be played if the dealer is showing an Ace. Pays 2:1 if the dealer has a natural 21 (blackjack).
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Slide your finger along the edge of your betting position. Alternatively, simply place chips worth half of your main bet on the ‘Insurance’ betting line.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Place chips worth half of your main bet on the ‘Insurance’ betting line.
• When to use: Insurance is never a good bet, regardless of the circumstances. It has a high house edge and is never recommended by any strategy charts. Check out this article to find out more.
• Common mistake: Using insurance is a rookie mistake in and of itself. From a strategic standpoint, Insurance is always a poor move and should be avoided.

7.      Even Money

• Short Definition: If you have a natural 21 and the dealer is showing an Ace, you can choose to take Even Money – a 1:1 payout. This is less than the Blackjack payout of 3:2, but removes the risk of ending in a Push due to a dealer’s Blackjack.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Tap your fingers on the table or place chips worth half of your main bet on the ‘Even Money’ position.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Not available in face-down blackjack.
• When to use: Even Money is mathematically the same as Insurance, which means you should never use it, no matter the cirumctances. Note that tables generally allow you to take either Insurance or Even Money – rarely both.
• Common mistake: Taking Even Money is a mistake in any scenario, statistically speaking.

8.      Color-Up / Leaving Table

• Short Definition: Cash in your chips if you wish to end the current session and stop playing. Note: this is not a hand signal as such, but this movement can silently signify that you’re done playing.
• Description:
  • Face-up Blackjack – Stack your chips and push them forward with an open palm.
  • Face-down Blackjack – Stack your chips and push them forward with an open palm.
• When to use: Pushing your chips towards the dealer is a sort of widely accepted signal that you want to cash in. Note that this may depend on the casino’s cashout policy – in some cases, you would simply gather your chips and leave.
• Common mistake: None.

Blackjack Variants & Rule Quirks

Broadly speaking, the hand signals we described above are applicable at any table, regardless of its rules and variations. The only notable differences are between face-up blackjack and face-down blackjack.

However, note that not all tables may allow all moves at any time. For instance, many modern tables don’t allow you to Surrender or take Insurance. Make sure to check the table’s rules before playing.

Let’s consider some variants and whether they affect blackjack hand signalling:

• Shoe games vs single-deck: The number of decks in play does not alter hand signals in any way.
• Spanish 21: Insurance, Surrender, and Even Money are not offered at Spanish 21 tables; all other signals are the same as in standard blackjack.
• Free Bet Blackjack: Doubling in this variant does not require you to put down additional money. As such, you have to tell the dealer if you wish to Double Down.
• Early Surrender: Some tables allow the player to Surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. The gesture for Surrendering is still the same.
• Early Payout: This variant adds an extra move that collects a payout instantly depending on the relative strength of your current hand and the dealer’s up-card. There is no specific hand signal for this move.

Table Etiquette Checklist

While we’re on the topic, we should also cover some other parts of blackjack etiquette and what you should do at a table.

Practice at Home

Hand signalling in blackjack is not a particularly hard skill to master, but it can be a bit daunting for new players. Especially in casinos that insist upon signals and don’t accept bets otherwise.

The first thing to remember is that you shouldn’t feel anxious or worry about what dealers or other players will think. We get it – we were all new once, and trying to juggle a complex game like blackjack with a system of hand signals can be a bit overwhelming.

Our advice is to simply relax. No one is going to ask you to leave because you messed up a signal or don’t remember how to do it. If the dealer is not sure what you want to do, they’ll be sure to ask you to clarify or explain what signal you’re supposed to use.

However, if you want to feel confident before you start playing, you can simply practice a bit.

Sit down at a table and simulate a game of blackjack while both dealing and acting as a player. Use hand signals whenever you’re making a decision.

If you want to make sure your signals are clear and correct, you can do them in front of a mirror or your phone camera. This method will ensure that your signals look right from the dealer’s perspective.

After a bit of practice, using the right signal will become second nature to you.