So, you’re curious about how to play blackjack, right? Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world, played at both land-based and online casinos by millions of people on a monthly basis.
Table of Contents:
- What is Blackjack?
- Card Values and How to Find Your Total Value in Blackjack
- Blackjack – The Play by Play
- Blackjack Basic Tips & Strategy: A Simple Guide for Casino Players
- Other Blackjack Situations
- Blackjack Rule Variations: A Simplified Guide
For anyone who is unsure of the rules of Blackjack, Heart Bingo is here to help. We will discuss all of the points shown above, while also offering a handful of useful tips along the way. Without further ado, here’s how to play blackjack card game!
What is Blackjack?
In short, blackjack is a simple game of 21, where you’re up against the dealer. The goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over, also known as ‘Busting’. At the start of each round, all players receive two face up cards, while the dealer gets one face up card and one hidden card. The latter is referred to as the ‘hole card’.
How Do You Win Blackjack?
Winning at blackjack isn’t as daunting as it might seem. It all boils down to knowing the basic rules of blackjack. If your cards add up to more than the dealer’s or if the dealer goes bust, then you win. It’s as simple as that. But remember, if your hand goes over 21, you lose, no matter what the dealer has.
How Do You Lose in Blackjack?
Of course, playing blackjack comes with risks. If your card total exceeds 21, you “bust” and automatically lose, regardless of what the dealer’s hand shows. Also, if the dealer’s total is closer to 21 than yours, you lose.
With most casino blackjack rules, the dealer must continue to “hit” until their cards total 17 or more, which is why the dealer showing a 6, for example, can work in favour of the player.
Card Values and How to Find Your Total Value in Blackjack
The first step for understanding the ins and outs of blackjack is knowing the different card values. Of course, to find the total value of your hand, the two cards must be added together.
Number Cards
In a blackjack game, number cards are pretty straightforward. Each card holds the value of the number printed on it. So, if you’re dealt a 2, it’s worth two points. A 7 is worth seven points. Easy, right? This is part of the basic blackjack rules that make the game so accessible and popular.
Face Cards
Next up, we have the face cards. These are your Kings, Queens, and Jacks. In the world of blackjack, each of these carries a value of 10. So, regardless of which face card you are dealt, you’re looking at ten points. It’s also worth mentioning that cards with a value of 10 are by far the most common outcome from the deck!
Aces
Aces are where things can get a little tricky. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what works best for your hand. This flexibility is what makes Aces a game-changer in blackjack. It’s also what can make blackjack betting more exciting and strategic.
Blackjack – The Play by Play
Now that we’ve touched on the basics, here is the step-by-step guide on the gameplay process in blackjack, all the way from purchasing your chips to the big reveal by the dealer!
How to Bet in Blackjack
Once you’ve got your chips, it’s time to learn how to bet in blackjack. You’ll need to decide how much you want to bet, and then place that amount in chips in the betting box on the table. Each table also has its own minimum and maximum bet amount, so this must be considered, too.
To play or not to play your hands
Now, let’s get into the action of blackjack itself. There are a few different options players are presented with, including:
- Hit – Take an additional card in the hopes of getting closer to 21.
- Stand – Stay on the current value of your hand for the round.
- Double Down – Double the bet size for one more card to be added to your hand.
- Split – If the two cards in your hand are the same, players can double their bet to split them into two separate hands.
- Surrender – This is only valid on some variations of blackjack, but it involves giving up your hand in return for half of your stake size to be returned.
- Taking Insurance – Insurance is a side bet that is offered when the dealer is showing an ace. Players can bet up to half their current stake size and if the dealer does have a blackjack, it’s awarded at the rate of 2/1.
The Dealer’s Reveal
After all players have taken their turns, the dealer reveals their hidden card. This is a pivotal moment in any blackjack game. The dealer’s rules in blackjack dictate that they must hit until they have at least 17. If they go over 21, they bust, and all remaining players win.
Should the dealer not bust, any player with a number closer to 21 will win, while players that have a lower value will lose their bet. Finally, if the two hand values are the same, the round will be marked as a ‘Push’, meaning that the initial bet will be returned.
Payouts
In blackjack, a winning hand awards at the rate of 1:1, meaning a bet of 10.00 would return 20.00 in total. Should players get a blackjack (an Ace and a card with a value of 10), the potential winnings are usually awarded at 3:2. In this instance, a 10.00 bet would mean 25.00 is returned in total.
Blackjack Basic Tips & Strategy: A Simple Guide for Casino Players
While blackjack does rely heavily on luck, there are some strategies that players can use to improve their odds of a successful hand!
Assume the Dealer has a 10
One of the most common strategies in playing blackjack is to always assume that the dealer’s face-down card is a 10. Why, you ask? Because the 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings make up a significant portion of the deck. Using the same strategy, if the dealer has a face-up 7, then players would look to beat 17.
Doubling Down on a Hard 11
A ‘Hard 11’ is a hand that totals 11 without an Ace. The best time to double your bet is when you have a hard 11 if the dealer isn’t showing an ace.
Splitting a Pair of 8s and Aces
Another essential strategy in a blackjack game is knowing when to split. So, when should you split? A good rule of thumb is to always split a pair of 8s and Aces. It’s a simple system that is based on basic strategy, which can improve a player’s odds rather significantly.
Never Split 5s or 10s
On the other hand, there are times when splitting isn’t the best move. Specifically, you should never split 5s or 10s. It might be tempting, but in the instance of splitting 10s, the chance of improving the hand with a total of 20 is unlikely.
Other Blackjack Situations
In your journey of learning how to play blackjack in casino, it’s essential to understand not only the basic blackjack rules but also the different situations that can arise in a blackjack game. Today, we’re focusing on three key areas: Insurance, Side Bets, and the Dead Hand!
Insurance in Blackjack
Ever wondered, “How do you play blackjack when the dealer might have a blackjack?” This is where the concept of ‘insurance’ comes in. In blackjack rules, insurance is a side bet you can make if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace.
If the player has opted for insurance and the dealer has a blackjack, they will be awarded at the rate of 2/1. However, only half of the initial stake size can be wagered on this bet. Should the dealer not have a blackjack, the insurance bet is a loss and the hand plays out as normal.
Side Bets in Blackjack
Playing blackjack isn’t just about the main game. There are also side bets to consider. These are additional bets, separate from your main wager. Here are the main two to look out for:
- 21 + 3 – This is when the players’ cards are combined with the dealer’s face up card to make a poker hand. Forming a flush, a straight, three of a kind, a straight flush, or suited three of a kind can award players at the rate of 5/1, 10/1, 30/1, 40/1, or 100/1, respectively.
- Perfect Pairs – If players are dealt two of the same cards, this side bet can be awarded at the rate of 5/1, 10/1, or 30/1, depending on whether it’s a mixed pair (two cards of different colours), a colour pair (two cards of the same colour), or a perfect pair (two cards of the same colour and suit).
Dead Hand in Blackjack
A ‘dead hand’ is one of those blackjack dealer rules that can catch you off guard if you’re not familiar with it. In blackjack rules, a dead hand happens when all players at the table bust before the dealer plays their hand. When this happens, the round ends immediately, even if the dealer would also have busted.
Blackjack Rule Variations: A Simplified Guide
Whether you’re just learning how to play blackjack at a casino, or you’re a seasoned player looking to spice up your game, understanding these variations can make a big difference.
Single Deck Blackjack
One of the most common variations of the blackjack game is the single deck blackjack. As the name suggests, this version of the game is played with only one deck of cards. This variation can be a bit simpler for beginners but also offers a unique challenge for those more experienced in playing blackjack.
6 to 5 Blackjacks
Another blackjack rule variation you might come across is the 6 to 5 blackjack. In this variation, blackjacks pay 6 to 5 instead of the traditional 3 to 2. This might not seem like a big difference, but it can significantly change your strategy when it comes to blackjack betting.
Re-splitting Aces (RSA)
Re-splitting aces, often abbreviated as RSA, is a rule variation that allows you to split a pair of aces more than once. This can give you more chances to hit that coveted 21, but remember, it also means you’re doubling your bet each time you split.
Early Surrender
This rule allows you to surrender your hand before the dealer checks for blackjack, potentially saving you from a loss. However, this privilege comes at the cost of half your bet.
Dealer Hits Soft 17
In some blackjack dealer rules, the dealer must hit on a soft 17. This means that if the dealer has a hand totalling 17 with an ace counted as 11, they must take another card. This can either work in your favour or against you, depending on what card the dealer draws.
Other Blackjack Variants
Some providers have their own unique blackjack games, including:
- Quantum Blackjack Plus
- Live Dealer Blackjack
- Free Bet Blackjack
- Lightning Blackjack
These all come with their own rules, so checking before playing is key!
Conclusion
Understanding the rules of the blackjack game can greatly improve a player’s chance of a successful hand. Newer blackjack players may want to simply focus on the basics, while more experienced bettors may look at the different variants in order to find an optimal table!
FAQs
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world. It’s a simple game of 21, where you’re up against the dealer. The goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over.
You win at blackjack if your cards add up to more than the dealer’s or if the dealer goes “bust” (goes over 21).
If your card total exceeds 21, you “bust” and automatically lose, regardless of what the dealer’s hand shows. Also, if the dealer’s total is closer to 21 than yours, you lose.
Number cards hold the value of the number printed on them. Face cards are worth 10 points. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points.
‘Insurance’ is a side bet you can make if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace. Side bets are additional bets, separate from your main wager, which can add an extra layer of excitement to your blackjack. A ‘dead hand’ happens when all players at the table bust before the dealer plays their hand.
Some of the rule variations in blackjack include Single Deck Blackjack, 6 to 5 Blackjacks, Re-splitting Aces (RSA), Early Surrender, and Dealer Hits Soft 17.
Some strategies to consider include always assuming that the dealer’s face-down card is a 10, doubling down on a hard 11, always splitting a pair of 8s and Aces, and never splitting 5s or 10s.
