Bust

In blackjack, the term “bust” refers to a hand that totals more than 21. When a player busts, they automatically lose the hand, regardless of what the dealer has. The same rule applies to the dealer—if the dealer busts and the player hasn’t, the player wins. Busting is one of the key risk elements in blackjack, and a big part of the game’s strategy revolves around knowing when to hit and when to stand to avoid going over 21.

The bust threshold is a hard rule. Even if your hand is just one point over 21, you're out of the hand. Understanding the odds of busting and learning how to calculate the risk based on your current total and the dealer’s upcard is essential for smart blackjack play.

Key Details of Busting in Blackjack

Busting ends the hand in an automatic loss, and the risk of busting increases depending on the value of your hand.

Bust Definition: When your hand total exceeds 21.
Bust Odds: Vary by hand—e.g., starting at 12, the chance of busting increases rapidly with each hit.
Payout: A bust receives no payout; it’s an immediate loss.
House Edge: Busting contributes to the house edge (~0.5% with basic strategy), especially when players hit against better judgment.
Dealer Bust Rule: Dealers must hit until 17; they can bust too, giving players a path to victory.

How to Bet the Bust in Blackjack

You don’t bet directly on a bust in standard blackjack, but some side bets do revolve around it. However, in regular play, avoiding a bust is part of every decision.

That said, some variations or side bets (like “Bust It” or “Dealer Bust Bonus”) allow you to wager that the dealer will bust. These are optional and come with different payout odds based on the dealer’s bust card.

Example of a dealer bust side bet:

Bet: $5 on the dealer busting
Dealer shows: 6 (a weak upcard)
Dealer draws and busts with a total of 22
Payout: Depends on the exact side bet rules—may pay 2:1, 3:1, or more

How Does a Bust Work in Blackjack?

The mechanics of a bust are simple. You hit, draw a card, and if the new total goes over 21, you're done for the round. For example:

You have 10 + 6 = 16
You hit and draw an 8 → total is 24 → bust

Once you bust, you lose your wager, and you don’t see what the dealer ends with. This is why some players choose to stand on 16 against a dealer’s strong card, hoping the dealer will bust instead.

Dealers can also bust. For instance:

Dealer shows 4
Dealer draws cards and ends up with 10 + 4 + 9 = 23 → dealer busts
Any players who didn’t bust win the hand

Examples of a Bust in Action

Player Bust Example:

Bet: $25
Hand: 9 + 7 = 16
Hit → draw 10 → total 26
Result: Bust → lose $25

Dealer Bust Example:

Player has: 13 (no more hits)
Dealer shows: 5
Dealer draws 9 + 5 + 10 = 24
Result: Dealer busts → player wins $25 at 1:1

Side Bet Bust Example:

Bet: $5 on Dealer Bust
Dealer shows 6 and busts with 22
Side bet payout: 3:1 → win $15

Tips for Avoiding a Bust in Blackjack

Know when to stand: With 12–16, always consider the dealer’s upcard before hitting
Use basic strategy: Charts show statistically sound decisions to minimize bust risk
Avoid panic hits: Don’t hit just because you’re behind; evaluate your chances first
Soft hands don’t bust as easily: Hands with an Ace can adjust, giving more room to hit
Let the dealer bust: Especially when the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6, stand on lower totals and hope they go over

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