Master These Secret Hand Signals & Play Like a Pro!
Blackjack Hand Signals Unlocked
Blackjack is not solely about playing your cards right. It’s also about knowing how to behave at the table. Beyond the universal rules, there’s a level of table etiquette and behavior that regulars hold themselves to, often without even consciously knowing it. If you’re a new player, failing to recognize those cues could not only slow the game but might cost you chips or credibility. And one of the most important habits? Understanding blackjack hand signals.
Casinos can get loud. There’s music, there’s chatter, drinks are being ordered, chips are hitting the felt — it’s a sensory assault. So, in communicating with the dealer, it would be wiser to signal than to holler across the table. These little hand gestures make things faster, more precise, and more secure for everyone involved.
Here, we’ll cover some blackjack hand gestures and everything else you need to know when you first sit down.
The Core Hand Signals (and When to Use Them)
Hit
Want another card? That’s a hit.
In face-up blackjack (where you don’t touch your cards), just tap the table near your cards with your index finger. Some players use two fingers. Either way, make it clear.
In face-down games (where you’re holding your cards), lightly scrape the edge of your cards against the table. Don’t bend or flash them—just a soft scrape toward yourself.
No need to speak. Just make the motion, and the dealer will know what to do.
Stand
Happy with your hand? Time to stand.
If you’re playing face-up, wave your hand horizontally over your cards, palm down.
In a face-down game, tuck your cards gently under your chips without touching the chips themselves.
Double Down
This move says, “I’m confident enough to double my bet and take just one more card.”
To signal it:
Slide a second bet next to your original wager (never on top of it), and point at your cards with one finger.
Same move whether your cards are face-up or face-down.
Dealers see this signal a lot, so just make sure your chip placement is clear.
Split
Got a pair? You can split them into two separate hands—each one played independently, with its own bet.
The hand signal for split in blackjack is easy: hold up your index and middle fingers in a V shape, kind of like a peace sign, and add a second bet equal to your first.
Doesn’t matter if the game is face-up or face-down—the split signal stays the same.
Surrender
Not every casino allows this move, but when they do, it can save you half your bet if your hand looks doomed from the start.
Here’s how to surrender:
Use your index finger to draw a horizontal line on the felt, right behind your bet. That’s it.
If you’re not sure the dealer saw it, say “surrender” out loud.
In hand-held games, procedures might vary. Blackjack tips recommended: ask the dealer about surrender rules before the cards start flying.
Do Live Dealers at Online Blackjack Use Signals?
Not really. If you’re playing a live dealer game online, you’ll use on-screen buttons to hit, stand, double, or split. The interface does the talking for you, and the dealer reacts based on what they see on their screen.
That said, knowing these signals is still useful. Understanding the game on a deeper level makes it easier to transition from online to in-person play or just enjoy the live stream with more confidence.
What Happens if You Forget To Use a Hand Signal?
Relax—it’s not a crime. If you blank out, just tell the dealer what you want to do. Hand gestures are preferred because they’re clearer (and caught on camera), but as long as your intention is obvious, you’ll be fine.
That said, the fewer words you need at the table, the smoother everything runs. That’s one reason seasoned players rely on blackjack hand signals: they speak the table’s language.
Are Hand Signals Standardized Across All Casinos?
For the most part, yes. Casinos across the board use pretty much the same set of hand signals for blackjack, especially for shoe games (the ones dealt from a box). In single or double-deck games—where players handle their own cards—there may be small tweaks. If something feels different, just ask the dealer before the hand starts. They’ll walk you through it without making a scene.
Learning blackjack hand gestures might seem like a minor thing, but it says a lot about how seriously you take the game.
No need to speak. Just make the motion, and the dealer will know what to do.
That said, the fewer words you need at the table, the smoother everything runs. That’s one reason seasoned players rely on blackjack hand signals: they speak the table’s language.
