Learn all about the popular casino game of Blackjack – its history, rules, variants, and winning strategies for both your online and offline play.
Objective:
- Your goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. Cards 2-10 are worth their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10, and Aces can be 1 or 11.
Starting the Game:
- Place your bet within the table limits.
- The dealer deals two cards face-up to each player, including themselves. In some variations, one of the dealer’s cards may be face-down.
Playing Your Hand:
- You have a few options:
- Hit: Take another card if you want to get closer to 21.
- Stand: Keep your current total and decline additional cards.
- Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive one more card. This option is available in specific situations.
- Split: If you have two cards of the same value, split them into two hands. This requires an additional bet.
Dealer’s Turn:
- The dealer reveals their face-down card and follows the rules regarding when to take additional cards.
Determining the Winner:
- You win if your hand beats the dealer’s without going over 21.
- If your hand exceeds 21, you lose.
- If the dealer busts and you don’t, you win.
- If you and the dealer tie, it’s a push, and you keep your bet.
Collecting Winnings or Losses:
- Winning hands receive a pay-out equal to the bet. Losing hands forfeit the bet to the dealer.
Overview of Blackjack Games
Blackjack is a popular casino card game in most parts of the world. It is sometimes called Pontoon (mainly in Britain) or twenty-one. Blackjack is a popular online casino and land-based casino,
What are the best blackjack games?
- Atlantic City blackjack
- Perfect Pairs
- Super 21
- European blackjack
- Blackjack Switch
- Single deck blackjack
- Double Exposure Blackjack
- Live blackjack
- Pontoon
- Multi-deck blackjack
Why is it called a blackjack?
Getting 21 is called a blackjack because it was initially a bonus or side bet that paid 10 to 1 for having a hand with a blackjack (the jack of spades or the jack of clubs) and an ace of spades.
It was only a short time before players condensed the name of the bonus just to blackjack.
Brief History of Blackjack
The origin of blackjack is controversial. However, it’s often thought that the game originated in France, where it was played in casinos in the early 1700s. There were barely any card games at the time.
The earliest card game that resembles today’s blackjack was Vingt-De-Un, the French word for 21. Some sections believe that the blackjack game was invented by Ancient Romans, although there is no historical evidence to back that claim.
The first written evidence shows that the blackjack game was played with the baraja deck in Spain sometime in the early 17th century. The first record of the game played in France can be seen in 1768, spreading to England around the 1770s. However, the first blackjack rules were published in English in Britain in the 1800s.
The game is allegedly brought to American colonies in the 1800s from France. The American rules for the Twenty-One game were first printed in 1825. It’s thought that 21 was renamed blackjack in America around 1899.
However, Nevada casinos were the first to popularize the name blackjack. These casinos offered players special side bets that involved an ace of spade or blackjacks. Despite having a debatable origin, blackjack has continued to dominate the casino industry.
Why Blackjack is So Popular?
- Great Odds: Blackjack boasts a low house edge of just 0.5%, increasing your chances of winning.
- Easy to Learn and Play: blackjack is simple to understand and enjoy. Its accessibility appeals to a wide range of players.
- High Payouts: Achieving a perfect 21 rewards 3 to 1 payout.
- Fast-paced Gameplay: Blackjack’s rapid pace keeps players engaged, offering numerous opportunities for wins and loses
- Social Interaction: With typically 5 to 7 players at a table, blackjack fosters a social atmosphere, with us against the dealer mentality
- Global Popularity: blackjack is a universally recognized and beloved game in casinos worldwide.
What are the rules of online blackjack?
1. Objective: Aim to beat or achieve 21 without exceeding the dealer’s hand.
2. Busting: Going over 21 results in an automatic loss.
3. Push: If your hand ties with the dealer, your bet is returned.
4. Wagering: Place your bet before the cards are dealt.
5. Card Values: Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, while 10 cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s) are worth 10 points each. Number cards hold their face value.
6. Actions:
· Hit: Receive an additional card.
· Stand: Keep your current hand.
· Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive one more card.
· Split: Create two separate hands from a pair of identical cards.
7. Dealer’s Rules: The dealer must draw another card if their hand totals less than 17 points.
How do you win at blackjack online?
- Avoid splitting tens.
- Double down on 11.
- Set win and loss limits to manage your bankroll effectively.
- Consider standing on 13 or 12, depending on the dealer’s upcard.
- Avoid insurance bets.
- Utilize online casino bonuses to enhance your bankroll.
- Choose reputable and secure online casinos.
- Practice regularly using free-play versions of blackjack to refine your skills.
Does 21 always win in blackjack?
No, not always; if the dealer also has 21 the game is a push or stand off and the initial stake will be refunded
Is there a trick to winning blackjack?
- Avoid insurance bets, as they often don’t pay off well.
- Stand with a pair of 9s against a dealer’s up-card of 7 for a better chance of winning.
- Double down on 10 when the dealer shows a 9 or lower up-card.
- Hit a hard 12 if the dealer’s up-card is 2 or 3.
- Never split 10s or 5s, as it decreases your chances of winning.
- Always split a pair of Aces or 8s for a better opportunity to win.
- Double down on a hard 11-hand, except against a dealer’s Ace in multi-deck games.
- Hit Soft 18 (A-7) when the dealer shows an Ace, 9, or 10 for improved odds.
- Soft 18 (A-7) Against Strong Dealer Cards (A, 10, 9):
- Hit on soft 18 to increase your chances of improving your hand to beat the dealer. Standing rarely favors you.
- Dealing with Soft 17 Rules:
- In games where the dealer hits on soft 17, double down on Ace-7 (soft 18) against the dealer’s 2 up-card or Ace-8 (soft 19) against the dealer’s 6 up-card. Also, double down on hard 11 against a dealer’s Ace.
- Doubling Down with Ace Against Dealer’s 5 or 6:
- Always double down on a hand with an Ace and any card from 2 through 7 when the dealer shows a 5 or 6. This applies to soft 13 through soft 18.
- Surrendering on Weak Hands:
- Surrender hard 15 when the dealer shows a 10. For hard 16, surrender against dealer’s 9 or 10. Surrendering on these weak hands saves money in the long run.
- Doubling Down on 8 Against Dealer’s 5 or 6 in Single-Deck Games:
- Double down on a hand worth 8 if playing a single-deck game and the dealer’s up-card is a 5 or 6.
- Player’s Pair of 2s or 3s vs. Dealer’s 2s or 3s:
- If allowed to double down after splitting, split a pair of 2s or 3s against a dealer’s 2 or 3. If not, always hit with a pair of 2s or 3s against the dealer’s 2 or 3. In single-deck games, always split a pair of 2s versus dealer 3.