1. (a) As used in this Article, and for game review purposes only, the game of blackjack is played with the following rules:

   1. (1) Players place a wager against the player-dealer before the initial deal. The player-dealer places a single wager against all players who have placed a wager.
   2. (2) The game is played with one or more standard decks. Numbered cards are assigned points that correspond with their face value; jacks, queens, and kings are assigned a value of 10 points; and aces are assigned a value of one or 11 points, at the discretion of the player in whose hand the ace is present. The object of the game is to obtain a hand that is closer to 21 points than the player-dealer's hand without exceeding 21 points.

   3. (3) Each player, including the player-dealer, is dealt two cards per hand on the initial deal. The point values of each card in the player's hand are added together to determine the total point value of the cards in the player's hand. Each player is allowed to exercise the following action options after the initial deal, in turn, with the player-dealer acting last:

      1. (A) “Hit.” A player may request one or more additional cards, one card at a time. The player-dealer must hit when required to do so by the game rules.

         1. (i) If a player exceeds 21 points after hitting, the player immediately loses, or “busts.”
         2. (ii) If the player-dealer exceeds 21 points after hitting, the player-dealer loses, or “busts,” and all players whose hands do not exceed 21 points win.
      2. (B) “Stand.” The player may refuse to take additional cards, ending that player's turn. A player may stand at any time during that player's turn. The game rules set forth when the player-dealer must stand.
      3. (C) “Double down.” A player may place an additional wager up to the initial wager amount in exchange for only one additional card. The player may not request any additional cards if the player chooses to double down. A player may double down only upon the first two cards received on the initial deal. The player-dealer may not double down.
      4. (D) “Split.” If a player's first two cards are of the same denomination, the player may convert them into two separate hands by making an additional, identical wager. The player is then dealt one additional card for each separate hand. The player may then exercise the action options described in subdivision (a)(3)(A) through (a)(3)(D). A player may split any hands that are of the same denomination. The player-dealer may not split any hands.

   4. (4) After all players and the player-dealer have acted on their hands, the total points of the hand of each player remaining in the game are compared to the total points of the player-dealer's hand to determine whether a player wins, loses, or ties.

      1. (A) If a player's first two cards include an ace and a 10-point card on the initial deal, the player immediately wins, except in instances where the player-dealer also has an ace and a 10-point card in which case the player and the player-dealer tie, or “push.” If the player ties, or “pushes,” the player does not win or lose.
      2. (B) If the total points of a player's hand are closer to 21 than the total points of the player-dealer's hand, the player wins.
      3. (C) If the total points of a player's hand are the same as the total points of the player-dealer's hand, there is a tie or “push.” The player does not win or lose.
      4. (D) If the total points of a player's hand are not as close to 21 as the total points of the player-dealer's hand, the player loses.

2. (b) The following modifications to the rules in subdivision (a), regardless of the number of modifications applied, do not distinguish a game from the game of blackjack:

   1. (1) Any changes to a standard deck or decks. Examples of changes include:

      1. (A) The addition of jokers or other cards not specified in section 2010, subdivision (i);
      2. (B) The removal of one or more of the cards specified in section 2010, subdivision (i); and
      3. (C) The marking of specified cards with words, symbols, or other alterations that ascribe a different point value to those cards on the initial deal than those values described in subdivision (a)(2), and as played in the game after the initial deal.
   2. (2) Specified cards assigned a point value that is operative only on the initial deal.
   3. (3) A rule that provides that a player who exceeds the target point count does not immediately lose, or “bust,” but may still have a chance to win or push if the player-dealer also exceeds the target point count, based upon certain criteria or conditions.
   4. (4) A rule that establishes a target point count at a number other than 21 that is operative only on the initial deal, and that makes it impossible to obtain that target point count after the initial deal.
   5. (5) Changes to the number of cards dealt on the initial deal as specified in subdivision (a)(3).
   6. (6) Removal or modification of any of the options referenced in subdivisions (a)(3)(A) through (a)(3)(D).
3. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the game of blackjack also includes any variation of the number “21” or the word “blackjack” in its name.

Any game of blackjack shall not be approved for play.

Note: Authority cited: Section 19826, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 19801 and 19826, Business and Professions Code; and People v. Gosset (1892) 93 Cal. 641.

History

1. New section filed 2-6-2026; operative 4-1-2026 (Register 2026, No. 6).