Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most popular casino games in the world. This high stake game is known for both skill and luck. The goal of the game is simple: get to or as close to 21 as possible.
In Blackjack, all players are playing against the dealer. Usually several 52-card decks are used to form what is known as a ‘shoe’, which is a large deck the dealer draws from to distribute cards.
The basic rules you need to know
The rules of blackjack are pretty straightforward. Once a round starts, the dealer deals two cards to each player’s hand and then their own, leaving the second dealer card hidden (their ‘hole’ card).
When it is their turn, a player can then make one of the following choices:
- Hit: draw another card.
- Stand: end your turn and stop drawing more cards.
- Double down: draw one more card only and double your wager.
- Split: double your wager and split your identical cards into two separate hands.
A player busts their hand if it exceeds 21. Face cards (jack, queen and king) all have a value of 10. An ace’s value is 11 (soft hand), but will become a value of 1 (hard hand) if the player would bust. For example, having an ace and eight would give you a soft hand of 19. It is always safe to hit soft hands but may not be useful depending on the situation.
If a player receives an ace and a 10, then this is a blackjack. Blackjacks even beat other hands that add up to 21. If a dealer has an ace, then players are offered ‘insurance’. You bet an amount of up to half of your original bet as insurance and receive 2:1 of this bet if the dealer has a blackjack. Casinos usually offer sidebets (like having pairs) that pay out a high multiple.
Once all players have finished their turns, the dealer will reveal their hidden card and continue to draw until they have a hand with a value of 17 or higher. If the dealer busts (going above 21), then all players that did not bust their hands get paid.
Where to play Blackjack
Certain rules depend on the casino you are playing at. For instance, some tables in online blackjack real money allow a player to double after splitting and increase their bet size even more or surrender their hand and receive a portion of their bet back. Another important rule variation is whether the dealer should hit or stand on a soft 17; hitting a soft 17 actually improves the likelihood of the dealer busting.
Blackjack is offered in practically every casino but is accessible to the public online as well. While the opportunities are virtually limitless, as always, please be careful when gambling and never spend money that you aren’t willing to lose.
How to get better at Blackjack
There are two types of tables you’ll normally find in Blackjack, namely 3:2 and 6:5 tables. This means a player can expect to earn $3 for every $2 they bet, or $6 for every $5 they bet respectively. The average player usually doesn’t notice this, but you should only sit at 3:2 tables. Playing at a 6:5 table increases the house edge by almost 2%!
Beginners should always refer to a ‘Basic Strategy Chart’. These strategy charts lay out the best move to make in certain situations (when to hit, stand, split or double down) and maximize your chances of winning. You should also hit if your hand is not at risk of busting (for example, having a hard 10) and stand if you have a high number (having a ‘19’).
Always double down on 11s to maximize potential profit. A dealer’s weakest hand is 16; the chance of the dealer busting is high, so it is recommended to double down on your hand in this situation. A general rule of thumb is to always split aces and eights. Splitting aces is a logical choice since you will have a high change to get at least one blackjack. Splitting eights improves your chances of receiving better hands according to probability.
For beginners, it is not recommended to take insurance. In the long run, it’s better to risk losing just your original wager than hoping the dealer has a blackjack. It is not recommended to take sidebets at all. While the potential reward may be larger, sidebets increase the house edge a lot.
The most important tip is to play rationally and with a cool head. It’s easy to make decisions based on emotions, but never chase your losses or bet excessively. One common mistake players make is to use the Martingale method, doubling their bet next turn after losing. This is risky and only increases your potential losses since you could lose every hand.