What Does Bust Mean in Blackjack?

Bust in blackjack is straightforward: it’s when your hand’s total value exceeds 21. This applies to both players and the dealer, though the consequences differ slightly.

A bust results in an instant loss for the player, even if the dealer busts after the fact. On the other hand, the dealer can only bust after all of the players are done making their decisions.

In the case of players, busts usually occur when a player Hits while having a current hand value higher than 11. As such, busts cannot occur with your first two cards. Remember – hands with Aces count as Soft hands and cannot exceed 21 unless they do so while the Ace counts as 1.

If you need a reminder of how card values work in blackjack, make sure to check out this guide.

The dealer must hit until they reach at least 16 and stand on 17 (or hit a soft 17, depending on the table rules). Dealer busts only occur after they’ve completed their required hits.

Examples of Bust Hands

• 10 + 7 + 6 = 23: A classic bust scenario where the player’s hand exceeds 21.
• 9 + 8 + 5 = 22: Another example of a busted hand.
• A + 10 + K = 21: Here, the Ace initially counts as 11, but since the total exceeds 21, it reverts back to 1

Busting Rules for Players

The basic rules for busting are the same for both players and dealers. However, there are a few player-facing rules that we should point out:

• Stand to Avoid Busting: Players have the option to stand at any point, avoiding the risk of busting. In fact, many situations described in basic blackjack strategy charts recommend that players very rarely expose themselves to the possibility of a bust.
• Immediate Loss on Bust: If you bust, you lose the round immediately, regardless of the dealer’s outcome. This is one example of how blackjack rules favor the casino, which is why the game has a house advantage.
• Actions That Can Cause Busting: Hitting, doubling down, or splitting can all lead to busting if the next card pushes your total over 21. Doubling down is especially susceptible because it forces the player to draw an additional card. This is one of the reasons why Doubling is never recommended for hands with a total value of over 11.
• Soft vs. Hard Hand Bust Risk: Soft hands have a lower bust risk because the Ace can adjust its value. Hard hands (no Ace or Ace counted as 1) have a higher risk.

Busting Rules for the Dealer

The dealer’s actions in blackjack are generally dictated by table rules – they hit or stand depending on what the rules tell them.

With that in mind, the dealer can only bust if they Hit on a hand value of 11 or higher.

In most cases, the dealer is forced to Hit on any hand value of 16 or under. On most tables, this is described as “Dealer Must Hit Until 16.”

However, the rules surrounding whether the dealer hits a 17 or not differ slightly:

• Must Stand on 17: The dealer must stand on all 17s, including both Hard and Soft 17.
• Dealer Stands on Hard 17: the dealer hits Soft 17s (17s that include at least one Ace that counts as 11, such as an Ace and a 6).

Generally, tables on which dealers have to Stand on a Soft 17 are better because they have a slightly lower house edge. You can read more about this rule here.

Dealer Bust Probabilities

The probability of the dealer busting varies based on their upcard. Here’s a general breakdown:

How Busting Affects Strategy

As a reminder, the most important strategy in blackjack is basic strategy. It tells you what to play in any given situation based on which option gives you the highest probability of winning.

You can read all about it in our blackjack strategy guide, which includes a detailed chart.

This strategy generally avoids busting by simply Standing any time there’s a chance of going over 21. However, there are some important things to point out:

• If the player has a Hard 17 or higher, they should Stand in almost all circumstances. The only exception is a Hard 17 vs a dealer Ace, in which case the player should surrender if possible.
• If the player has a hand value of 11 or under, they should never Stand because there is zero risk of busting.
• Standing on hand totals 12-16: Players often stand on stiff hands to avoid the high risk of busting. The decision hinges on the dealer’s upcard:
  • If the dealer’s upcard is weak (2-6), the player should Stand. In this situation, the risk of going over 21 is not worth it.
  • If the player’s hand is 12 vs. a dealer 2 or 3, the player should Hit. In this case, the risk of getting a higher hand value is worth the relatively small chance of going over 21.
  • If the dealer’s upcard is strong (7-A), the player should Hit. In these situations, the player is at a big disadvantage. Risking a Hit gives you a better shot at winning thant Standing on a weak hand.
  • If the player’s hand is a Hard 15/16 vs a dealer 9, 10, or Ace, the player should Surrender. In these situations, take a surrender if it’s available. Otherweise, Hit.
  • Players should Hit almost all Soft hands if they’re 18 or under.

IMPORTANT: The above tips are based on optimal blackjack strategy charts with standard rules and 6-8 decks. An optimal strategy may differ based on the table rules.

Keep in mind that the risks of busting increase significantly as the hand total increases from 12 to 16. Here’s a table of your chances of going bust:

Strategy Considerations: When You Should Accept the Risk of Busting

According to the maths behind basic blackjack strategy, players have to accept some risk of busting. However, the risk is sometimes worth it, and sometimes not.

Here are some tips for helping you manage the risks of busting while playing blackjack:

• Dealer Showing Strong Cards: If the dealer’s upcard is a 10 or Ace, and you have a stiff hand, hitting might be necessary to improve your chances.
• Worse Odds by Standing: If standing gives you a lower chance of winning than hitting, accept the risk.
• Doubling Down: Doubling down can create a temporary higher bust risk but offers a larger potential payout.
• Split Situations: When splitting, the bust risk is offset by the potential to create two stronger hands.

Example:

Let’s say you have a hand of 9 + 5 for a total of 14, while the dealer is showing an Ace.

By any measure, this is a poor start: a hand of 14 is bad by any measure, let alone against a dealer Ace.

While you would normally consider standing on a 14, standing here gives you almost no chances of winning. However, a Hit has a chance to bring you closer to 21 without busting, even though the chance is not great.

Think of it this way: you Hit because Hitting gives you a small chance to win, while Standing gives you almost no chance.

Common Bust-Related Mistakes Players Make

For one reason or another, the majority of blackjack players don’t even follow basic strategy. That’s why they make common, easily avoidable mistakes that can cost them a lot in the long run.

Here are some bits of advice for beginners on how to avoid busts, and when a bust risk might be unavoidable:

• Standing Too Often on 12-16: Many beginners stand too often on stiff hands, missing opportunities to improve their hand. If the dealer is showing an Ace or better, consider Hitting.
• Misunderstanding Soft Totals: Soft hands are safer because the Ace can adjust to a 1 and avoid a bust. Don’t treat them like hard hands.
• Misplaying 12 vs. Dealer 2 or 3: Contrary to intuition, standing on 12 against a dealer’s 2 or 3 is often incorrect. Hitting is usually the better play.
• Standing on Soft 17: Soft 17 cannot bust on the next hit, so always hit or double down (if allowed).
• Double Down Fear: When the bust risk is low, and the potential payout is high, don’t fear doubling down. For example, consider doubling a Soft 19 vs. a dealer 6.

How to Reduce Your Bust Rate While Improving Win Rate

Here are some simple, actionable tips you can use to decrease your bust rate:

• Use Basic Strategy: Following a basic blackjack strategy chart can significantly reduce your bust rate. As we already mentioned, the charts are based on simulations and statistics that can tell you exactly when a bust is worth risking, and when it isn’t.
• Understand Dealer Bust Cards: Cards 4, 5, and 6 are favorable for the dealer to bust, so adjust your strategy accordingly. That’s why basic strategy tells us to always stand on 12-16 vs a dealer 4-6.
• Avoid Hitting Multi-Hand 16s Incorrectly: Hitting a multi-card 16 is riskier than a two-card 16. Be cautious.
• Choose Tables Where Dealer Stands on Soft 17: This rule favors the player, offering a 0.22% lower house edge compared to tables on which dealers hit Soft 17s. Considering that the house edge of blackjack can be as low as 0.5%, this can be a significant difference.
• Avoid Insurance Mistakes: Insurance is rarely a good bet, especially for beginners. Statistically, it’s never worth taking, so you should avoid it.