How to Play Blackjack
Contents
- The Objective of Blackjack
- The Rules of Blackjack
- Betting in Blackjack
- Different types of blackjack games
- Basic Blackjack Strategy
The Objective of Blackjack
Blackjack is a simple game where players aim to beat the dealer’s hand value or achieve blackjack (a value of 21). If a hand goes over the value of 21, you will go bust and lose.
The Rules Of Blackjack
- The game starts with players placing bets.
- Dealer deals 2 cards to each player in the game and then 2 to himself (1 face up card and 1 face down card).
- All players count up the value of their cards.
- Players must then decide whether they would like to ‘stand’, ‘hit’, ‘surrender’, ‘double down’ or ‘split’.
- The dealer acts last. They must hit if their cards amount to 16 or under and stand on 17 through to 21.
- Players win when their hand totals higher than the dealer's hand or if they have 21 or less when the dealer busts (exceeds 21).
Card Values
In all games of blackjack, the following values apply to cards:
All number cards count as their face value. Picture cards, such as Jack, Queen and King each count as 10 The Ace can count as either a 1 or 11.
Busting
If a player or the dealer's hand exceeds the value of 21, this is known as ‘busting.’ This can also be referred to as a “break” if it’s the hand of the dealer which exceeds 21.
For Example
You are dealt a 10-5, draw another card which is an 8, and you’re busted, as the total is 23.
Hard vs Soft Hand
A hard hand is any hand which doesn’t contain an ace, or if it does, counts it as 1.
For Example
10+6 is a hard 16 AND 10+A+3+2 is a hard 16
Any hand where the ace amounts to 11 is classed as a soft hand. Eg. A+6 is a soft 17 OR A+2+6 is a soft 19.
When you receive your first 2 cards, and one of them is an ace, that ace counts as 11. If you are dealt a soft hand and opt to draw more cards, it is common that your hand will convert into a hard hand.
The reason it is important you know the difference between a hard and a soft hand when playing blackjack is because it alters the playing strategy, even if the total amount is the same. What we mean by this is a 10-7 (hard 17) would be played differently to A-6 (soft 17).
Betting In Blackjack
As with most table casino games, blackjack is played with chips which represent specific amounts of money. You hand the dealer the amount you wish to play with, and they will change the cash into the appropriate chips.
Chip Value: In most casinos and online games, the chips are colour coded to signify a specific denomination and are usually printed with the value. For example, in Players Suite Blackjack blue equates to £1, red to £5, green to £25 and so on.
Every table, in real life or online, should have specifications around what the minimum and maximum betting limits are. Before any cards are dealt, players must place a bet in their respective betting area ensuring bets are within the realms of the minimum and maximum bets.
Blackjack side bets can typically be found within the game too, providing something slightly different to bet on as oppose to the typical objective of winning.
Hitting Rules
‘Hit’ means you want to draw cards from the dealer to add to your hand. When you "hit", only one card will be added to your hand.
Standing Rules
To ‘Stand’ in blackjack means that you are satisfied with the value of their hand and no longer want to add any further cards.
Splitting Pairs
If you have two cards of the same value in your hand (for example a pair of 8s or 10s) players can opt to split them. If you choose to split, you are obligated to make another secondary bet equal to your original bet value. When you split a pair, you are playing each card as a separate hand and are able to draw as many cards as you like into each, except for split aces. You are required to play out one of the split hands to completion before you play the other. Learn more about pair splitting in blackjack and why it is not a recommended strategy.
Doubling Down
This allows you to double your base bet in return for receiving a single draw card, you will not be able to draw more than one. Usually, you can only double down after you have received your starting 2 cards. To tell the dealer you would like to double down in a shoe-dealt game, simply place your chips next to those you originally bet at the start of the hand. In hand-held games, place your cards on the table face-up then place the second bet.
Surrender Rules
This allows you to forfeit a hand immediately at the automatic loss of half of your base bet, and if a player draws a card or the dealer hits blackjack, the surrender option is no longer available. However, this isn’t always permitted. If you wish to surrender, simply say to the dealer ‘surrender’ and you will no longer be involved in that round. There are different types of surrender in blackjack, some are more favourable strategies than others.
Insurance
If a scenario should occur where the dealer’s upturned card is an ace, they will ask the players if they want to make an insurance wager, a side bet whereby players are betting that the dealer’s unseen card will be a 10-value card. You win the insurance bet if the dealer's unseen card is of 10-value and it pays out at 2 to 1 odds.
Even Money
Should you land a blackjack hand and the dealer has an ace as their upturned card, they will ask you if you want “even money.” This means the dealer will give you a 1 to 1 payoff automatically before they check their downturned card for potential blackjack. This yields the same result as making an insurance bet.
Different types of blackjack games
Blackjack comes in many different variations with some providing twists to make the game unique. Having an awareness of different blackjack variants can improve your experience when exploring which game to play and understanding the rules.
European - In the European version, one card will be visible to the dealer, with the other card face down on the table. Once all players have played their turn, the second card will be revealed to show the hand of the dealer.
American - Similar to European blackjack, the dealer will receive a face-up card and a face-down card. If the dealer's face-up card is an ace, the dealer's face-down card can be viewed to see if it completes blackjack.
Multiplayer - Bringing together multiple players to play together. During rounds, players can choose to surrender their hand if they feel they won't be able to complete blackjack.
Spanish 21 - There is a big difference when it comes to Spanish 21, with all the cards valued at ten being removed from the deck.
Multi-hand - Adopting similar rules to the classic blackjack game, the only difference is the chance for players to receive up to five hands, rather than the standard one hand.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
There is no guaranteed strategy that will win you a game of strategy, however, having a basic strategy can help you to avoid going bust and make more informed decisions.
A basic strategy can include tips such as:
- Avoiding insurance bets
- Monitoring the dealer to check the value of their hand. Certain values could increase the chances of the dealer going bust.
- Selecting "Hit" until you reach seventeen could help to reduce your chances of going bust whilst aiming for the highest hand possible.
Play Blackjack Online At 21.co.uk
We’ve given you the rundown on all things blackjack-related here at 21.co.uk. You can browse our range of online blackjack games with traditional games and variations available. If blackjack isn’t your thing, don’t worry - we have a huge variety of online roulette and online live poker games on offer, too.
If you wish to play online casino games with us, please make sure you gamble responsibly. 18+, begambleaware.org
