The intrigue of blackjack lies in the fact that the players have the power to influence the game’s outcome, making it one of the most popular casino card games among people. But if you are wondering about how to play blackjack, then this is your go-to guide to understand and play this pretty straightforward game.
While you will learn how to play this game, this guide will also take you through the essential rules, strategies, and game structure, even if you are a complete beginner to blackjack.
What is Blackjack?
People worldwide are drawn to blackjack because it is a perfect blend of skills, strategy and of course, the magic ingredient, luck. Before you learn how to play blackjack, let’s look at its history. It is believed to have descended from games like “Vingt-et-Un” (21) which was quite the rage during the 18th century in France.
However, nothing could beat the popularity it amassed when it landed in the USA and drew attraction due to its easy rules and engaging gameplay. Speaking of the present, blackjack makes up around 31% of casino table games actions, while the online blackjack, like online slots, market is also booming.
Now, coming to its other name, blackjack is also referred to as “21”, as the main goal of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
Basic Rules of Blackjack
When it comes to blackjack basics, it’s crucial to know that each card has a value; cards 2 to 10 hold their face value, King, Queen, and Jack are worth 10 each, and aces can be worth 1 or 11, based on your hand.
After the cards are dealt, the players have to decide whether to hit, stand, split or double down. The aim is to beat the dealer’s hand to get 21 or closer, but be careful not to go over 21, or you will be ‘busted’ and lose your bet.
Now, if you are confused, let’s get familiar with the terms so you know the actions you need to take while playing this table game. Although the blackjack rules are easy to understand, mastering and adequately utilising them takes time. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Hit: Take another card to get closer to 21.
Stand/stay: Hold your hand if the total is strong enough.
Double down: Double your bet and take another card.
Split: Split a pair with same-value cards into two separate hands.
How to Play a Round of Blackjack
Now that you are familiar with the terms, let’s understand how to play 21 and the steps involved. Remember, the goal of blackjack is the same for the players and the dealer, which is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Here’s what a typical blackjack round looks like:
- Before even the cards are dealt, players place their bets
- The dealer deals two cards to the players, including themselves
- All the players are dealt two cards face-up, while the dealer gets one card face-up and the other face-down
- A clockwise round begins with the player on the dealer’s left
- During the round, each player decides whether to ‘hit’ or ‘stand/stay’
- If they hit, the dealer will deal them another card, and if they are content with their cards, they stand
- A player can hit as many times as necessary to get 21 or closer
- When all the hands of players are completed or gone bust, the dealer reveals their face-down card
- If the dealer’s hand total is 16 or lower, then they have to hit and if the total is 17 or high, they have to stand
- Out of the remaining players who have not gone bust, the one with a hand higher than the dealer is declared the winner
Key Strategies for Beginner Blackjack Players
There are a few key blackjack strategies that you need to familiarise yourself with, as they might help boost your chances of getting closer to 21, but it’s crucial to know that there’s never a guarantee. Let’s look at them:
When to hit
Hits can generally be performed if the dealer has high-value cards such as 7, 8, 9, or 1. Players also typically hit if their hand total is 11 or 12 while the dealer’s face card is between 2 and 6.
When to stand
In a typical round of blackjack, players opt to stay if their hand total is between 17 to 20. They also prefer to stand if they have a hard hand of 16 or if they have 12 or 13 and the dealer’s face card is 7 or higher.
When to double down
Players usually prefer doubling down if their cards total 11 and the dealer shows a 6. They might also choose to double down if the dealer shows a lower card and their hand total is a soft 16, 17, or 18, or a hard 9 or 10. Lastly, players generally refrain from doubling down if the dealer shows an ace.
When to split
Usually, a split is performed if there are aces and 8s, as two 8s have a thin chance of winning. Players typically avoid splitting if they get two 10s as 20 is almost a winning hand.
Considering the blackjack variations
The charm of this game is that it has more than a hundred variations across worldwide casinos. Popular variants include Classic, Pitch Deck, European, Spanish 21, and Atlantic City, to name a few. The rules vary, so different variants can affect the way players hit or stand.
Some variants allow for a ‘side bet’ which is more common in online blackjack. Some casinos allow players to ‘surrender’. This helps the players limit their losses if they surrender half of their bets following the initial deal.
Blackjack basic strategy
There are blackjack basic strategy charts that help you strategise. These charts guide you in multiple situations while playing and the best part is that they are easily available online. They show the different hands for the dealer and player, and the best moves for each scenario.
The charts are based on the theory of probability, so they do not guarantee a 100% success rate, but they might bring the house edge to 0.5%. If you are a beginner, you can try online blackjack while learning the basic strategy charts. If you want to master the game, perfect blackjack strategy charts are also available. These charts are based on the different versions of the game.
Blackjack Payouts and Rules to Remember
The payout is a 3:2 ratio if the player gets a natural blackjack (ace and a ten-card). The dealer pays 1.5 times the amount of the original bet to the player. If you have a standard win where your hand is higher than the dealer’s but lower than 21, then the payout is a 1:1 ratio where you get even money as your bet. If yours and the dealer’s hands have equal values, then your exact bet is returned without a win or a loss.
Know the table that you are playing as every table has some slight differences when it comes to rules regarding splits, insurance and dealer behaviour. For instance, some casinos might offer a 6:5 payout ratio as opposed to 3:2. So, it’s crucial that you understand it before you decide to take any action.
Responsible Gaming in Blackjack
It’s always better to play any casino game with responsibility, so when you play blackjack, you can follow these responsible gaming practices:
- It’s wise to consider blackjack as a fun and entertaining activity, rather than a money-making business.
- Decide on a budget, make sure that you stick to it, and don’t run behind winning if you constantly lose.
- A blackjack hand can end quickly and the next one starts immediately, giving you little space to check up on the time, so make sure you set a time limit for blackjack sessions.
- Understanding the basic strategies can help you make better decisions, but remember, the outcome is never guaranteed.
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What to Know More About Blackjack (FAQs)
What Is a “Bust” in Blackjack?
When your hand total goes above 21, it’s called a “bust” and you lose your bet.
How Much Is Each Card Worth in Blackjack?
Cards 2 to 10 hold their face value, King, Queen, and Jack are worth 10 each, and aces can be worth 1 or 11, based on your hand.
What Does It Mean to “Double Down”?
“Double down” means doubling your initial bet and acquiring another card.
When Should I “Split” My Cards?
It’s always advised to split your aces and 8s because if you have two 8s, 16 has a very thin chance to win.
Can I Win At Blackjack Without Counting Cards?
Yes, you can win at blackjack without counting cards using other strategies, but you should know that there’s no 100% guarantee of winning.
Understanding the Basics of Blackjack
Blackjack draws appeal based on its blend of skill and luck, simple rules and fast-paced entertainment. Now that you know how to play blackjack, we would remind you again to treat the game as mere entertainment, so make sure you start with small bets rather than risk a lot of your money.
If you chase winnings and earning money, it can turn risky pretty quickly. But when you play responsibly, you not only make the most of the game but also get a deeper understanding of how it actually works.
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