Are you curious about how to play Blackjack but don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place. Blackjack is one of the most popular card games found in casinos, and it's not just about chance; there's some degree of skill involved, too. This classic game is easy to learn and offers as exciting a casino experience as other staples like roulette.
With simple rules and engaging gameplay, it’s a game that you can quickly pick up, even if you're a complete beginner. There is more to Blackjack than hoping the cards give you 21; it's about knowing when to stand, when to hit, and when to double down to put yourself in the best position to go against the dealer.
Ready to explore the ins and outs of Blackjack? Let’s dive into the basics and equip you with the knowledge you need to get started. Read on to learn more about this casino classic.
How Do You Play Blackjack In a Casino?
If you’re new to Blackjack, stepping into a casino can feel a little intimidating. This section will guide you through the basic steps of joining a table and playing the game, so you can confidently enjoy your first Blackjack experience.
Join A Table
To start, approach a Blackjack table that fits your budget - tables will display their minimum and maximum bets so you can decide if it is right for you. Wait for the current round to finish before taking a seat. Once you have your chips, place your first bet in the designated betting circle to join the next round.
Make A Move Based On Your Initial Hand
After bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each player - both face-up - and two to themselves, with only one of the dealer’s cards face-up. The goal of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Look at your hand’s total value and decide whether to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep your current total). For example, if you have a total of 12, you might decide to hit, but if you have 18, standing is often the wiser choice.
Split Or Double Down
Sometimes, you’ll have additional options beyond hitting or standing. If your first two cards have the same value, like two 8s, you can “split” them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to your original wager. This sees each 8 receiving another card to form the two separate hands, and you then play them as if they are two separate players. So, even if one hand goes bust, the other still has a chance to win.
Alternatively, if you feel confident about your hand, you can “double down”, which means doubling your bet amount and receiving only one more card. This is a common move if your total is 10 or 11, as you have a good chance of hitting a strong total in just one additional card.
Wait For The Dealer To Reveal His Hand
Once all players at the table have finished making their moves, it’s time for the dealer to reveal their hidden card and play their hand. In most casinos, the dealer must hit until they reach at least 17 and stand afterwards.
If the dealer busts (goes over 21), all remaining players win. If not, the player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s - if your total is closer to 21, you win. If it’s tied, it’s considered a “push”, and your bet is returned. If the dealer’s final total is closer to 21, then you lose.
By following these simple steps, you can approach the game with confidence and begin to understand the flow of Blackjack in a casino setting. Just remember to stay focused, stick to your budget, and have fun.
Rules of Blackjack
Blackjack's rules are straightforward, making it an appealing game for beginners. The main goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer's hand without going over.
Each card has a value: numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards like Kings and Queens are each worth 10, and Aces can be either 1 or 11, depending on what benefits your hand the most.
Both players and the dealer start with two cards. In most games, at least one of the dealer's cards will be face up. Players can then choose to "hit" (take another card) or "stand" (keep their hand as is) to get as close to 21 as possible.
The dealer, however, plays by specific house rules. Typically, they must "hit" until their hand is at least 17. There are variations: some casinos require the dealer to "stand" on a "soft 17", which is a 17 that includes an Ace counted as 11.
A "push" occurs when a player's hand ties with the dealer’s; neither side wins or loses, and the player's bet is returned. Some games have a special rule where a dealer hand of 22 results in a "push" instead of them going bust, though this isn’t always the case.
Read the rules of the specific Blackjack game you choose to play before placing a bet so that you know what to expect.
What Is Insurance In Blackjack?
In Blackjack, you might come across an option called "insurance". It’s a side bet offered to you when the dealer’s visible card is an Ace. This bet is made separately from your main wager.
The idea behind insurance is to protect your hand against the dealer getting a Blackjack. If you decide to take insurance, you bet half of your original stake.
If the dealer's hidden card turns out to be another 10-value card, giving them a Blackjack, you win the insurance bet at 2:1 odds. This means you’ll break even on your overall bet, as your insurance win compensates for your losing main Blackjack bet.
However, if the dealer doesn’t have Blackjack, you lose the insurance bet, and the game continues as usual with your main Blackjack bet in play.
It's important to know that insurance is entirely up to you. It can be a useful tool, but it’s often regarded as a higher-risk bet. Understanding when to use it wisely is part of the learning process as you develop your Blackjack skills.
What Are Side Bets In Blackjack?
Side bets in Blackjack are little extras that add excitement to the game. While your primary goal is to beat the dealer, side bets give you the chance to win additional payouts based on certain card combinations.
One popular side bet is "Perfect Pairs". With this bet, you're hoping your first two cards will be a pair. The payout increases if they’re the same suit or even a perfect match, like two Queen of Hearts.
Another well-known side bet is "21+3". Here, you're betting on the possibility that your two cards combined with the dealer's up card will make a poker hand. This could be a flush, straight, or three-of-a-kind, and each one offers different payouts.
Side bets can be fun, but they usually have a higher house edge than the main game, meaning the odds are even less in your favour than normal. However, they typically offer higher potential payouts than the main game.
It’s important to enjoy them responsibly and treat them as a bit of extra entertainment if you are comfortable placing these bets rather than the main focus of your Blackjack play.
Is Blackjack Skill Or Luck?
Blackjack is a delightful mix of both chance and skill. Each hand you play involves chance because you never know which card is coming next. The dealer, just like you, works with cards drawn randomly, adding to the element of uncertainty.
However, skill comes into play through strategy. By using a little planning and following basic Blackjack strategy, you can make smarter decisions about when to hit, stand, split, or double down. This helps you to make the most statistically advantageous move based on your hand and the dealer’s face-up card.
The game typically has a house edge of between 2-4%. But, if you apply basic strategy effectively, you can reduce this edge to as low as 0.5-1%. This simply means your chances improve compared to if you were just guessing your moves.
Although implementing strategy lowers the house edge, it cannot completely eliminate it. The dealer still has certain advantages, such as playing last and the unpredictable nature of the cards.
So, while you can't control chance, using strategy can improve your odds slightly and can make somewhat of a difference to your Blackjack experience.
How Do You Play Blackjack Online?
Playing Blackjack online is a convenient way to enjoy the game from the comfort of your own home. The rules and strategies remain the same as if you were sitting at a real casino table.
The main difference is the way the cards are dealt. Instead of a dealer physically shuffling the cards, an online game uses a Random Number Generator (RNG). This ensures that each card is dealt fairly and randomly, just like in a real casino.
Once you're signed into an online casino, such as Cash Casino, you choose a virtual Blackjack table and place your bet. The digital cards are then dealt, and you make decisions by clicking buttons to hit, stand, split, or double down, just like you would in person. All of the same rules and other familiar elements are all there, so it feels much like the real-life version.
The online setup offers the same excitement and challenges, and it's a great way for beginners to play at their own pace without the possible pressure they may feel playing in a brick-and-mortar casino. So whether you prefer to play on your computer or smartphone, online Blackjack provides the same thrilling experience as the in-person version with the added convenience of being able to play at a time and place that suits you.
Regardless of how you choose to play, remember to always gamble responsibly and only place bets you are comfortable losing because winning is never a sure thing.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.