Xi Dach Rules - Vietnamese Blackjack 🎴
Overview
Xi Dach (pronounced See Dack) is the Vietnamese variation of Blackjack, traditionally played during the Lunar New Year (Tết). It is a game of luck and risk management where players compete against a "Dealer" (Nhà Cái) to get a hand value closest to 21 without going over.
Quick Facts
- Players: 2-6 (1 Dealer + Players)
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck
- Duration: 5-10 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Objective: Beat the Dealer's hand value (max 21)
- Type: Comparison Game
Card Values
- 2 to 10: Face value.
- J, Q, K: 10 points each.
- Ace (A):
- 11 points (if total <= 21)
- 10 points (if total <= 21)
- 1 point (if total > 21)
- Special: In a 2-card hand, A counts as 10 or 11. In a 3+ card hand, it counts as 1, 10, or 11 to benefit the player.
Winning Hands (Special)
These hands win instantly (unless the Dealer has a higher special hand):
- Xi Dach (Blackjack): 1 Ace + (10, J, Q, or K) in the first 2 cards.
- Xi Ban (Double Aces): 2 Aces in the first 2 cards.
- Note: Xi Ban usually beats Xi Dach.
- Ngu Linh (Five Dragon): Drawing 5 cards with a total value <= 21.
- Note: Ngu Linh usually beats a standard 21.
Gameplay Flow
1. Betting & Dealing
- Players place bets.
- Dealer deals 2 cards to everyone (including themselves), usually face down.
2. Player Turns (Phase 1)
- Players check their hand.
- If a player has Xi Dach or Xi Ban, they reveal it immediately.
- If the Dealer has Xi Dach or Xi Ban, they reveal it and win against all players without special hands.
3. Drawing Cards (Phase 2)
- Starting from the Dealer's left, each player can:
- Hit (Bốc): Take another card (face up or down depending on house rules).
- Stand (Dằn): Keep current hand.
- Rule: Players must have at least 16 points (typical house rule) before standing. If below 16, they must hit.
- Bust (Quắc): If total > 21, the player loses immediately or waits for the dealer to check.
4. Dealer's Turn
- After all players finish, the Dealer reveals their hand.
- Dealer must hit if total < 16 (house rule).
- Dealer can choose to check any player's hand if the Dealer has >= 16 points.
- If Dealer has Ngu Linh, they win against almost everyone.
Comparison
- Xi Ban > Xi Dach > Ngu Linh > 21 > Normal Hands > Bust
- If both have the same points, it's a Push (Draw).
- Dealer wins ties in some house rules (check before playing).
Strategy Tips
- 16-17 Rule: Most players stand on 16 or 17 to avoid busting.
- Five Card Charlie: Trying for "Ngu Linh" (5 cards) is risky but pays off big. Only try if your first 2 cards are very low (e.g., A-2, 3-3).
- Observe Dealer: If the Dealer checks many players early, they likely have a strong hand (18-20). If they draw many cards, they might be weak or busting.
Next Steps
✅ Ready to test your luck?
- 📊 Strategy Guide - When to hit or stand
- ❓ FAQ - Common questions