Betting & Showdown Card Games: Texas Hold'em and Blackjack

What the games share: choices with virtual chips

Both games use playing cards and chips to give decisions a consequence. How much you commit, when you continue and when you stop can change the result. Winning one hand does not prove the choice was sound, just as losing does not prove it was wrong.

Both are free browser games with no download or account required. Chips have no cash value; there are no deposits, withdrawals or cash prizes.

Texas Hold'em: read the cards and the players

Combine two private cards with five community cards to make the best five-card hand. Across the preflop, flop, turn and river rounds, choose whether to check, call, raise or fold. You can win at showdown or by making every other player fold.

Our tables offer free play and tournaments against computer opponents. Choose Hold'em to practice reading opponents' possible hands and deciding when to bet or fold.

Blackjack: compare your total with a fixed-rule dealer

Blackjack, also called 21 or Twenty-One, asks you to beat the dealer without going over 21. You also win if the dealer busts and you do not. Use your hand and the dealer's upcard to choose hit, stand, double, split or surrender.

This table uses six decks, a dealer who stands on every 17 including soft 17, and 3:2 payouts for natural Blackjack. Double after splitting is allowed, with up to four hands; split aces receive only one more card each.

Play casually or learn the controls through guided hands. Hint recommends an action, while Why explains estimated probabilities. Focused practice, Mistakes & weak spots and Daily five help you revisit difficult decisions.

Which should you try first?

Choose Blackjack for a few relaxed hands and straightforward card totals. Choose Texas Hold'em for multiplayer-style betting, hand rankings and different computer opponents. Both have learning options, so you can start playing and look up help when you need it.