Blackjack, also known as 21, is one of the most popular amongst the family of card games, played mostly within casinos as well as online. The origin of this game is not linear, but it has some roots in France and Italy.
There are many different variations of Blackjack, but there are some rules that are common across most of these.
If you want to start playing online Blackjack, we have summarized the main Blackjack rules as a good starting point on your online betting journey.
Summary of Blackjack Rules
There are some basic moves that are apparent in all blackjack games, and these are the most essential in learning how to play blackjack effectively:
- Goal of the game is to get a better hand than the dealer, while remaining at or lower from 21.
- Each card counts for the number it represents, except Aces which amount to either 1 or 11. It’s up to the player to decide which one. All Face cards amount to 10.
- The dealer gives 2 cards to each player in the beginning of each round, while one of the two cards of the dealer remains hidden.
- If you Hit, it means that you request one more card and to Stand means you are happy with the amount of cards you currently have. Following that, the next person will speak.
- Remaining at or below 21 is very important, since irrespectively of the dealer’s hand, you will lose if you pass that threshold. This is also known as a Bust and here the dealer wins.
- Getting a Blackjack means that hit 21 right from the start. In this case you win 1.5x your original bet, but this can vary across different casino sites.
- Dealers hit until they reach 17, so this is an important consideration when you draw further cards.
- After you learn the basics of blackjack, you might move to strategies like Split. This can be done when you have two same cards, and you ask the dealer to separate them so you can play two hands simultaneously.
- After you Split, you can also double or further increase your bet. So make sure that you take advantage of this rule when you feel confident.
Blackjack Dealer Rules
To begin with, on every Blackjack table, there is a Dealer, who represents the House. At the beginning of the round, the dealer receives one card face down, and then each player is dealt cards consecutively.
If the sum is 17 or more, then the dealer must stand. If it is 16 or below, then the dealer must take another card.
If he has dealt an Ace that counts as 11 in his hand, then he is required to stand the round. What we can understand from the Blackjack Dealer rules is that the House has a standard play, while the Players always have an option to take another card as they please.
These rules have been put in place based on probabilities, to make sure that the House always has the odds’ edge.
Blackjack Game Rules for Players
Although it is good to be aware of what set of rules the Dealer follows, to play Blackjack you must know all the rules surrounding you, as the Player.
Playing Blackjack
The round starts with the Player on the left, who is the first one to decide whether they will take another card. These two options are called ‘Stand’ and ‘Hit’.
So, after the two required cards a Player gets at the beginning of the round, they can then decide if they want another card, after seeing what cards they get.
The Player goes ‘Bust’ if they go over 21 points in hand, or they decide to Stand if they are pleased with the sum they have formed. In the latter case, the next Player is addressed by the Dealer.
Aces are cards that can be played in different ways. If the Player receives one with a card other than a Ten, then they can count it as either 11 or 1. For example, if the player has an Ace and a Four, then this can count as 5 or 15.
Signature Moves in Blackjack
The commands we illustrated above are common across all Blackjack rules game variations and understood by all Dealers. However, a Player can hit their deck twice to illustrate that they want one more card (Hit).
The stand can also be displayed by moving the hand parallel to the table, the palm facing down. This command is used mostly by experienced Players in brick and mortar casinos, but not in the Live casino online.
Insurance
When the visible card of the Dealer is an ace, then the Players have the ability to put down a bet called insurance. To win this bet, the Dealer must have a 10 card value as the hidden card – or in other words Blackjack.
After the side bets are performed, the Dealer sees the hole card and if it is actually a 10 the Players are getting paid twice the amount of their bet. However, since the Dealer has hit Blackjack, the House wins all other hands. However, if a player also has a Blackjack, then this is called a stand-off and the bet remains as it is for the next round.
The insurance bet is not a wise move, unless if there are many Players on the table and there are no 10 card values at all given to them. In this case, there could be more chances to win that bet.
Split
When a player has a pair of cards, then and only then they are allowed to split them. This move creates two separate hands, that the Player can then bet on – one at a time. Something to keep in mind here is that what was originally betted, on the one hand, must now be also put as a bet on the splitting pair.
If a Player splits two aces, then they are only allowed to take one card on each splitting pair. Similarly, if a 10 follows one of the Aces splitting pairs and Blackjack is formed – the bet is paid at a normal value here.
By reading the above it is evident that splitting pairs is a risky move and probably most appropriate with 10s.
Settlement
This rule refers to the scenario that the Player has the same card values as the Dealer, in which case the bet is returned to the Player.
This can happen when the Player is not busted and the Dealer plays his full hand.
Doubling Down
This Blackjack game rule is applicable when the Player has a total of 9, 10 or 11 with their two starting hands. As the name suggests, the Player is allowed to double their original bet amount; however, they can only receive one more card from the Dealer if this action has been enforced.
Reshuffle
Lastly, after each bet the Dealer positions the card deck in a machine that shuffles the cards – offering complete randomization. This action based on the Blackjack game rules is performed again when a plastic card appears in the card-shuffling machine.
Online Blackjack Rules
The game of Blackjack has the same rules across Online play and in the brick and mortar casinos. There might be some variations across the different Blackjack games, but the above commands are pretty much universal.
The common extra features, which you are most likely to encounter at some point, include some side bets in which payout are much larger amounts compared to the ½ ratio of the base game.
What are the Top Blackjack Strategies?
If you are an experienced player of Blackjack online you will definitely find one Blackjack strategy that feels right here; but even if you are a newbie to this card game, we have added below some easy strategy rules that you can follow to massively increase your winning chances.
If you are a beginner who is just aware of the Blackjack rules, then the best way to approach the Blackjack table is to memorize where to Hit, Stand, Double down and Split. These basic Blackjack tips can get you as far as to leave the table winning big. So, dive into our key tips below:
- If you have Aces or 8s make sure to split them. This card values have the best odds.
- If your hand is between 12-16 and the Dealer has 7 to Ace, then make sure to hit another card.
- When the Dealer has 2-6 you should stand with a hand between 12-16. The chances are on your side with this one.
- Doubling down or hitting Aces to 6 is a suggested move by us.
- Avoid insurance bets, since it is an extra bet with very low chances of winning it. Don’t forget this strategy tip.
- Don’t make a decision without taking into consideration the card of the Dealer. This is what makes all the difference in this card game.
- Avoid the first seat, so you have seen some cards being dealt with before you are required to make a decision.
- As a beginner, one of the best strategies to follow is to bet small. It will take a while until you memorize all of the above and are able to compete with an experienced Dealer.
- Set a bankroll to keep your spending under control.
Betting Systems
If you are new to this game, you are likely to have only heard of the progressive betting system – called Martingale.
Another common technique though is to lower the bet after a win and double it after a loss. Of course, you can adjust this the way you like it.
There are various betting systems, which do not in fact increase your odds. But, they offer a structure to your gameplay – so you might as well check them out.
Card Counting in Blackjack Game Apps
Various basic and advanced Blackjack strategies can help you win in this card game. However, the one that you must have probably heard at one point or another is the card counting Blackjack app technique.
Since the game of Blackjack is based on probabilities, it is normal that there would be a strategy based on statistics that could help you beat this game.
Card counting is based on the notion that there is a specific number of cards apparent in the card deck, so the more cards are being dealt – the more insight you have into what might come next.
For example, if there are many low-value cards already on the table, and the dealer has an ace – his hole card could likely be a 10. On a hand like this, it would be wise to play reluctantly.
Quick Guide on Blackjack Odds
As you might have already understood, the odds of a casino game are calculated against the House-winning odds.
The reason that the House has an advantage over players comes from the fact that the players go first. Every time a player busts, which happens at almost a quarter of the hands – the player loses even if the dealer goes bust himself afterwards.
Although the Blackjack payout odds are always in favour of the House, there are ways to minimize the casino’s advantage.
At the starting point of the Blackjack round, the dealer has an 8% advantage over the player, but if a player applies a successful strategy – this edge can drop as low as 0.2%. Counting cards and being quick with mathematics is the way forward for those aspiring to beat the dealer.
What are the Players Odds to go Bust in Blackjack?
Here we will explore the chances that a player can bust with an extra card.
- 11 or Lower card value – 0% Probability to go bust.
- 12 card value – 31% Probability to go bust.
- 13 card value – 39% Probability to go bust.
- 14 card value – 56% Probability to go bust.
- 15 card value – 58% Probability to go bust.
- 16 card value – 62% Probability to go bust.
- 17 card value – 69% Probability to go bust.
- 18 card value – 77% Probability to go bust.
- 19 card value – 85% Probability to go bust.
- 20 card value – 92% Probability to go bust.
- 21 card value – 100% Probability to go bust.
What are the Dealer Odds to go Bust in Blackjack?
Now that we know the odds involved in a players’ hand, it is important to see the Blackjack odds of a dealer going bust with an extra card value. Most casino rules state that the dealer does not draw an extra card if he hits 17, so we will explore the odds based on that.
- If the dealer has an Ace and stands at 17, there is a 17% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 2 and stands at 17, there is a 35% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 3 and stands at 17, there is a 37% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 4 and stands at 17, there is a 40% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 5 and stands at 17, there is a 42% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 6 and stands at 17, there is a 42% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 7 and stands at 17, there is a 26% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has an 8 and stands at 17, there is a 24% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 9 and stands at 17, there is a 23% probability to go bust.
- If the dealer has a 10 and stands at 17, there is a 23% probability to go bust.
Remember to focus on both your hand and the dealer’s hand to conclude whether the Blackjack odds are on your side.
Now that you are aware of the online Blackjack rules, where are you planning to play Blackjack online?
