Hands are quick, the chat flows and there's just enough decision making to make people feel clever. Blackjack table hire is the natural second table after roulette, and plenty of hosts say it ends up just as busy.
How a hand works
The croupier will talk new players through it, but here's the gist so you know what your guests are in for:
- Each player puts some fun money chips in their betting box
- Everyone gets two cards face up, and the dealer gets one face up
- Picture cards count as 10 and aces count as 1 or 11
- Each player chooses to take another card (hit) or stay where they are (stand)
- Go over 21 and you're bust
- The dealer then plays their hand, and anyone closer to 21 than the dealer wins
Why blackjack works at parties
Unlike roulette, everyone at a blackjack table makes their own decisions, so it feels a bit more like a game of skill. But it's still the players against the dealer, not against each other. People end up rooting for the whole table, groaning together when the dealer pulls a five card 21.
A hand takes a minute or so. That means people can drop in for ten minutes, have a go, and move on to the bar or the dance floor. Good for busy events where guests come and go.
What hosts like about it
It's quiet enough to chat at. Roulette gets noisy, which is great, but blackjack is the table where people actually talk. Colleagues who've never had a proper conversation end up debating whether to hit on 16.
It's also tidy on space. One table, a few stools and a croupier, and it sits happily in a corner or a bar area without taking over the room.
How many players
A blackjack table usually seats around six or seven players, with more people standing behind watching or waiting for a seat. Over an evening, as a rough guide, one table handles 15 to 25 guests playing at a time as people swap in and out. If you're expecting a lot of card players, two blackjack tables side by side works nicely.
Allow an area of about three metres by three metres, with space for the stools and people standing round. Tables don't normally need power.
Teaching beginners
Good croupiers are great at this. They'll suggest when to hit or stand if someone's unsure, explain why the dealer has to keep drawing until 17, and generally keep things friendly. Nobody gets made to feel daft for asking.
Some guests will want to try doubling down or splitting pairs. The croupier can explain those too, but nobody has to use them to enjoy the game. Even regular players usually pick up a tip or two.
Pairing it with other tables
Roulette plus blackjack is the classic two table set-up and covers most parties of 50 to 100. Add poker for a third if you've got some keen card players. Have a look at roulette table hire and poker table hire, or just tell us about your event and we'll suggest a mix. It's all fun money, and prizes at the end are up to you, so it isn't gambling.
Roulette table hire
Poker table hire