How to play blackjack

Blackjack, or the game of 21 as it is sometimes known, is a reasonably simple casino table game. You can learn how to play Blackjack in just a few minutes. After reading through this guide, you’ll be able to play both virtual and live games and enjoy several Blackjack variants.

This table game is played using standard 52-card decks. Usually, between six and eight decks are combined together, but you will also find versions of the game that are played with just one deck at a time. Cards have a specific value, and the objective of the game is to get a hand that is as close to or equal to 21 without going over.

In addition to getting a high-value hand, you must also beat the dealer. This provides the main Blackjack payout. However, as you’ll discover in this how to play Blackjack guide, there are also certain optional side bets that you can place to win other prizes.

Blackjack table

The typical Blackjack table is divided into three sections. The section that is closest to the dealer is where the dealer deals his or her own cards. In the middle section, player cards are dealt in adjacent spots. The third section is the one furthest from the dealer and is where players place their chips. Each player gets a designated box where he or she should place their bets.

Whilst Blackjack tables at land-based casinos are static, online Blackjack games provide interactive tables. In certain cases, the table is completely virtual, whereas, in others, there is a combination of virtual and real elements.

On certain Blackjack tables, you will also be able to find other bet boxes and useful information. They include the option to take insurance and the possibility of placing optional side bets. However, before we get to these topics, it’s best to learn how to play Blackjack step by step first.

Blackjack card values

Before we delve into a typical Blackjack round, let’s look at the values of the different cards. In Blackjack, the Ace can have a value of one or 11, depending on which one is best for the hand that it forms part of. The rest of the number cards retain their indicated value. Face cards, namely J, Q, and K, have a value of 10.

Playing Blackjack step by step

These are the main steps in a typical game of online Blackjack:

Players are invited to place their bets to participate in the game.
The dealer moves on to deal cards to every participating player and him or herself.
Each player takes turns playing his or her hand.
Once all players have played their turn, the dealer plays his or her hand.
The winners and losers of the round are determined and payouts are given out accordingly.

The dealer will deal cards to all participating players in a clockwise manner. All the first dealt cards, including the dealer’s, are dealt face up. The second cards that are dealt to the players are also dealt facing up, however, the dealer’s second card is dealt facing down.

Online Blackjack is always played between one player and the dealer. Even if there are other players at the table, their hands and their ultimate result will have no bearing on your own result.

Blackjack betting

Blackjack is a casino game of chance and there is little you can do to improve your performance. During the five steps of a typical round, you can only make an impact on Step 3. This is when you have the opportunity to play your hand.

Natural Hands

There is an instance in Blackjack when you won’t even need to play your hand. If you get what is known as a Natural Hand, the dealer will determine whether you’ve won the round or if have tied with him or her.

A Natural Hand is one that is made up of an Ace and a card with a value of 10. This could be the 10-card or any of the face cards. In such a situation, your Ace would have a value of 11, and this would give you a hand value of 21.

When a player has a Natural Hand, the dealer will check his or her cards. Should the card that is facing up be either an Ace or have a value of 10, the dealer will check the other card. If the dealer also happens to have such a hand, the round ends in a tie. However, if the dealer’s hand is weaker, you’ll instantly receive a payout of 1.5x your stake.

As you’re learning how to play Blackjack, it’s important to understand the meaning of a Natural Hand, as well as its value. If your first two cards are an Ace and either a 10 or a face card, you’ll immediately get a hand equal to 21. In this case, the card’s value is 11, as it’s more favorable to you.

Hit

Playing with Natural Hands is easy as you don’t need to learn how to play your hand. However, such a result is rare, so very often, you’ll need to play to get the best possible result.

One of the first actions that you can take when it’s your turn to play is to Hit. This means being dealt an additional card. You can Hit several times, however, you’ll lose the game if your hand value is greater than 21. In Blackjack, going over 21 is defined as going Bust.

Stand

When you Stand, you are happy to end your turn and keep the cards that you currently hold. You can Stand immediately after receiving your first two cards or once you’ve received additional cards. Once you Stand, you won’t be allowed to take any more cards. Understandably, you cannot Stand if you’ve already gone Bust.

Split

Should your first two cards be identical, such as two Aces or two Kings, you have the opportunity to Split. With this technique, you’ll play two separate hands for the rest of the round. To do this, you will need to place an identical wager to cover your second hand.

If you decide to Split, the dealer will deal two cards, one for each hand. You’ll play each hand separately against the dealer’s. This means that you could win one hand and lose the other.

For each hand, you can choose to Hit or Stand.

Double Down

Once you’ve received your first two cards, you may have the option to Double Down. In this way, you will double the value of your wager, receive one additional card, and Stand. This is the only way to increase the value of your wager during a Blackjack round.

There are, however, rules to using the Double Down request. Your hand value must be between 9 and 11. It is also recommended to only Double Down when your hand has a value of 11 or when it has a value of 10 and the dealer’s face-up card is not an Ace and does not have a value of 10. Moreover, you cannot Double Down if you’ve already decided to Split your hand.

Insurance

Many Blackjack tables also offer insurance to players in a particular circumstance. It should be noted that many pros recommend not taking this option. However, no guide to learning how to play Blackjack would be complete without this explanation.

Insurance becomes available when the dealer’s facing-up card is an Ace. If you use this optional side bet, you’ll be asked to wager up to half the value of your round bet. To win it, the dealer’s facing-down card must have a value of 10. Winning the insurance bet pays you 2:1.

This also means that the dealer’s hand is a Blackjack and that you would have lost your main bet.

The dealer’s play

Whilst players are at full liberty to play as they wish, dealers must stick to pre-determined actions. These actions are based on their own cards and by knowing what they are, you can develop a successful Blackjack strategy.

Blackjack dealers are never allowed to Double Down or Split their hands, no matter what cards they hold. Instead, all they can do is Hit or Stand.

When it’s the dealer’s turn to play his or her hand, the first step is to turn the face-down card upwards. If the hand has a value of 17 or more, the dealer Stands, and the winner is determined. If the hand has a value lower than 17, the dealer must Hit until the hand value is equal to or higher than 17.

Moreover, the dealer should always count an Ace as 11 if this results in a hand value that is 17 or higher but not greater than 21.

As a result of these rules, many Blackjack strategies recommend that players Stand when their hand value is greater than 17.