Your Blackjack Game Guide
Blackjack is a game played between a player and a dealer. It’s a comparing card game based on skills where your goal is to get close to a count of 21 faster than the dealer. Knowing when to hit or stand is vital in blackjack and can make all the difference in a round.
Reading up on blackjack rules is recommended for new players. Our blackjack guide will tell you everything you need to know and help you play the game as a pro. We’ll show you how to hone your skills and improve your gameplay so you can win more hands per game.
The objective of blackjack
At the beginning of each round, the dealer deals two cards to himself and the player. Using their value, your objective is to get as close as possible to a count of 21 without going bust (over that number). The dealer’s objective is the same, and whoever gets that count wins the round.
Blackjack is a pretty straightforward game for new players. There are no complicated rules and all of them can be learned and mastered. No advanced math is needed to play the game. Pay attention to the value of the cards on the table and learn when to hit or stand to master the game.
How to play step by step
Playing blackjack is very simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you understand the gameplay better:
- Enter an online blackjack table;
- The game begins by placing bets;
- Dealer deals the cards;
- You decide on your next move (hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender);
- The dealer plays his hand;
- The game’s results are displayed and payouts are handled.
As you can see, there are no complicated rules you should be afraid of. Online blackjack is a straightforward game that even new players can enjoy. Plus, you get to try most tables for free before you splash the cash.
Betting in Blackjack
Betting plays a central role in the game of 21. Each round begins with players placing bets before they make their move. The bets will differ for each online variant. Some tables have a pretty low minimum, while others allow maximum bets suitable for high rollers.
When playing blackjack online, you should always take a look at the table limits. Some variants may have a high minimum limit which may not suit your bankroll. Go for the one that suits your gameplay and your bankroll size – no point in playing at a table that will eat up your bankroll on a single bet,
Hit
The option to hit means asking for another card. If you choose to Hit, the dealer will deal one more card that will add to your tally. There’s no limit on the cards you can ask for.
However, you should learn how to hit properly as many cards will take you over 21 and go bust.
Stand
Stand is the opposite of Hit. If your first two cards are great, there’s no reason for you to ruin a good hand by asking for another. Click on Stand to make the dealer move on to another player or force their hand.
The dealer may bust after your Stand which will make you the winner.
Split
If you have 2 cards of equal value at the beginning of a round, you can choose to split them and play with 2 hands simultaneously. To do this, you must place another wager for the split hand.
You can split numbered and face cards, even if the latter don’t form a pair. They have the same value and that’s what matters in a game of online blackjack.
Double Down
Double down is a move greatly beneficial if your first two cards put you in a great position. To put things into perspective, you can double your bet on a good starting hand which only needs one additional card to become a natural or a 20.
It is a risky bet, though, and one that is more suitable for seasoned blackjack players.
Insurance
Insurance is a side bet that’s not present on all online blackjack tables. The side-bet is offered when the dealer has an Ace as the up card. Before you play your hand, the dealer might offer Insurance which pays 2:1 if the dealer’s hole card is a 10.
You’re essentially betting on whether or not the dealer has blackjack. If you ask pros, you should never put your money on the Insurance bet.
Additional how to play explanations
Online blackjack is a game of skill built upon strict rules. They are not hard to understand at all – as a matter of fact, blackjack is one of the easiest live casino games you can learn.
One of the rules you should keep in mind is to never go over a count of 21. Keep in mind that the dealer’s hand plays a huge role in your decisions. A dealer must hit until they reach a soft 17, and this rule will help you play your cards right.
Card values
In a game of blackjack, numbered cards have their face value. Face cards are worth 10. If you’re dealt a face card such as a King or Jack with an ace, you’ve achieved the so-called natural – a hand count of 21.
A natural pays 3:2 (6:5 on some tables) without playing through the round. In case the dealer has a natural too, you simply get your money back. This is called a push.
The Ace in blackjack counts as 1 or 11 depending on the other cards you have.
Side bets
Some online blackjack tables have exciting side-bets. Insurance is one of the most common side-bets, but others might offer a bonus for building a certain hand.
In general, we don’t recommend playing these side-bets. They might look attractive, but the truth is that online casinos offer them because they give them an advantage over you. We’re not just talking about the Insurance side-bet – it goes for all types of side-bets on all online blackjack tables.
Hard vs Soft hand
If you’ve ever tried blackjack online, you must have come across the terms soft and hard hands. The difference between them is a single card – an Ace. If you get an Ace as one of your first two cards, you have a soft hand. The Ace counts as 1 or 11, giving you a chance to adjust your card count on the fly.
A hard hand in online blackjack means that you don’t have an ace. It’s a rigid hand that can’t be altered and is not very advantageous to play.
The Betting Interface
A notable advantage online blackjack games over land-based tables is the betting interface. A good online table will have an interface that’s easy to learn as well as a guide that will take you on a tour.
In online blackjack, you’ll be placing chips virtually on the table with a click. The betting interface adapts to all types of devices and in landscape or portrait mode. You can easily play online blackjack on your PC or your smartphone, no download required.
Signing up for an account
Before you start playing for cash, you must sign up with an online casino first. Some casinos might also require you to create an account to play for free, but those are few and far between.
Competitive online blackjack players will need an account to enter tournaments and claim their winnings. As soon as you have confirmed your account, it will be accessible from all of your devices.
Just login with your credentials and you can play right away.
Making withdrawals
When you win something in online blackjack, you will want to get that cash out ASAP. In online casinos, you can make withdrawals with a host of payment options.
Withdrawals and payments in general are essential for your blackjack play online. Without them, winning means nothing.
As soon as you win something, the money will be available for withdrawal on your account. Choose a credit/debit card or e-wallet to get it on and it should arrive in just a few hours.