Also popular as 21, Blackjack card game has been around for hundreds of years. One of the reasons why the game is popular at casinos is because, in the game- players don’t play with each other, rather, you have to play against the house. Beginners often get confused with Blackjack rules and hence have a hard time playing the game online. This post will hopefully help clear this confusion.
This post will focus on the rules of Blackjack and how you can get started with the game today.
Getting Started
Since steps to getting started with any online casino game is similar, starting your online Blackjack journey is quite easy. If you have just shifted from Blackjack in land casinos, playing online games might be a little difficult.
You will need a couple of things to get started. First and foremost, you will require a device that supports casino games on its internet browser. Next, you should have a stable internet connection. Finally, you must create an account on the gambling site.
If you want to play live casino games against a dealer, you must have a balance on your account. The balance can be deposited through bank transfer or any other suitable payment methods.
In short, here are the things you will need:
- A device to play in and a stable internet connection.
- Account on the gambling platform.
- Funds on the online account.
Before you start playing online, make sure that you are aware of the game rules and side bets. Some of the betting rules might vary according to online casinos. Hence, always check out the rules of the game before you start playing.
Blackjack Rules
The basic rule of Blackjack is that you need to get as close to, 21 as possible. In the online version of the game, you play against the dealer and whoever gets 21 or closest to 21 wins.
Values of Cards
o Cards 2-10 are worth the value that’s on the face of the card. Which means: a 3 is worth 3 points, a 9 is worth 9 points, etc.
o The face cards are worth 10 points each.
o Ace is worth either 1 or 11 points depending on the value of the other cards on your hand.
So, if you get a face card and an ace, your total is 21 points, and you win the round. This card combination is called “natural”.
Here is how the game completes:
1. Players place their initial bet on the table.
2. You will get 2 cards face up, and the dealer will have 1 card face up and 1 card face down.
3. After you get your cards, you must make a decision on if you want to stay or hit. The decision is made through calculations of the value of the card in hand.
4. If there is no Blackjack, the game proceeds further. You can choose between:
Moves
Hit
You call hit when you want a new card. The new card you get is always dealt face up.
Hit When:
The dealer’s card is 7,8,9,10 or Ace. (Your hand must total 8-12 in this case).
The dealer’s card is an Ace + Your hand totals to 11.
Also if the dealer’s card is 10 + Your total is 10.
The dealer’s card is 7,8,9 + Your total is 9.
Stand
You call stand if you don’t want a new card because you might exceed 21 points.
Stand When:
Your hand totals to 17 or above.
The dealer’s card is 6 or below + Your hand totals to 13 or above.
Double Down
You call double down if you think you have a good chance of winning. Furthermore, you can also Double Down before playing, which will double your bet.
Double Down When:
Your card totals to 10. (Condition: Dealer does not have Ace or 10).
Your card totals to 11. (Condition: Dealer does not have Ace).
Your card totals to 9. (Condition: Dealer has 3, 4, 5, or 6 showing).
Split
You call split if you get two identical cards. After you split your cards into two separate hands, you will get a new card per hand. Your original bet will automatically double after you call split.
Split When:
The dealer has 4-7. (Split only 2s and 3s).
If the dealer has 6 or below. (Split 6s and 7s).
You have 8s.
You have Aces.
Surrender
If you surrender, you get half of your bet back. Keep in mind that only some versions of Blackjack feature this move.
After every player has made their decision, the dealer reveals his/her face down card.
You win if:
- You get a hand value of 21 on your first two cards and when the dealer does not.
- If the dealer gets a hand value that goes over 21.
- If you get a hand higher than the value of the dealer’s hand.
You will need an ace to make 21 right off the bat. In addition, you will be paid out at 3:2 if you hit Blackjack. You can only call it Blackjack if 21 is achieved in precisely two cards.
In most cases, the dealer has to take a new card if the hand is worth 16 or fewer points. Likewise, if the hand is worth 17 or higher, the dealer has to stand.
Note:
If the dealer gets 10 as his face-up card, he can play his hand before the other players in the game. Moreover, if the dealer has a blackjack, he wins, and the round is over.
In some variations of Blackjack, there is a provision of insurance. If the dealer has an Ace as his face-up card, the insurance protects the player in case the dealer gets a blackjack. Our experts discourage players to get insurance because the chances of winning an insurance sum is relatively low: 30%. However, we have also seen people getting large portion of their bet back through the insurance tactic. Know what you are doing before you make insurance bets.
Check out the different variations of Blackjack at Baazi247.
