How to Play Blackjack: Rules, Strategies, & More!

Learning how to play blackjack is what every novice player needs to begin their casino adventures. Blackjack is one of the easiest and most player-friendly card games that people have been playing since God knows when! 

In this simple yet comprehensive blackjack guide, we will walk you through the game, from rules, card values, scoring, and betting options to the strategies and rookie mistakes to avoid losing. 

Without further ado, let’s jump right into the game!

What Is Blackjack: Basics, Rules & Gameplay

Blackjack is one of the oldest card games played by our grandparents, and it will continue to be loved by our grandchildren. The easy setup, gameplay, and rules make it insanely popular at family gatherings and physical and online casinos. Thanks to technological advancements and online gambling platforms, today, fans can even participate in live cash blackjack tournaments and compete for real money prizes. 

Here are the basics and rules of the game.

Blackjack Objective

The objective of the game is pretty straightforward:

Get the lucky 21 or as close to it as possible without going over while beating the dealer's hand. This is the reason why the game is widely known as 21.  

Blackjack is a dealer-vs-player game. It means you play against the dealer and must beat their hand regardless of the number of people playing at the table. 

Setup & Rules 

Similar to its objective, the rules and setup of the blackjack are simple. The game is played with 1 to six standard 52-card decks. To play the game, every player must place a bet. There could be you or up to 6 people at the table. 

Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer deals two face-up cards to each player and one face-up card and one face-down card to themselves in a clockwise manner. 

Once dealing has been finished, the values of the dealer’s hand and the player’s hand are compared:

• If the player’s hand total is higher than the dealer’s, they win a 1:1 payout ($1 per every $1 wager).

• If the player and the dealer get the same hand total (except Blackjack, which will be discussed later in this article), the result is a draw and the player’s wager will be returned. 

• If the dealer’s hand total is higher than the player’s, the player loses their bet. 

• If the player’s hand total is over 21, they immediately lose regardless of the dealer’s hand value. 

• In most games, the dealer must hit on a soft 17. This slightly increases the house edge. Some casinos require the dealer to stand on all 17s, which makes the game more favorable to players. 

Blackjack Terms & Meanings

While the game is pretty simple, there are some terms you should learn so you don’t feel people are talking Chinese when you sit at an oval blackjack table. 

• Blackjack or Natural: A hand of a 10-value card and an Ace is considered a Natural or Blackjack. This hand is an automatic winner and has a payout of 3:2 ($3 for every $2 wagered). 

• Bust: When your hand total exceeds 21, and you lose, your hand is busted!

• Hit: When you tap a table or just choose the hit option on an online blackjack game, the dealer draws another card for you. You can hit as many times as your hand needs points to get 21 or closest to it. 

• Stand: When you wave your hand above your cards or choose the stand option at an online game, the dealer moves on without giving you another card.

• Double-down: When you want to double-down in blackjack, you should point your index finger while playing at a land-based casino or just hit the double-down button on an online game. Once you have done that, you put another bet the same size as your initial bet, and the dealer gives you only one more card. 

• Split: When you get two cards with the same rank, you can point with two of your fingers or hit split, and the dealer will separate your cards, making them two separate hands. Then, you will be dealt one card to each hand and play them like two separate hands. 

• Surrender: Some physical casinos and online games allow players to surrender, meaning they can forfeit half of their bet and give up their hand in order to avoid losing all of their bet. 

• Insurance: An insurance bet is a type of Blackjack side bet with a 2:1 payout. When the dealer flips an Ace as their face-up card, they offer you insurance. This means you can bet half of your initial wager, so if the dealer flips a 10-value card and gets a natural, you don't lose it all. If the dealer gets a blackjack, you win your insurance bet while losing your initial bet. But if the dealer does not get a blackjack, which is the case nearly always, you lose the insurance bet, and your initial bet is decided as normal. 

Card Values 

Blackjack card values and scoring are what sets this game apart from other casino card games. Although when you play online and live dealer blackjack, the software takes care of calculations, you should learn the card values if you want to become a pro blackjack player. 

• Face cards(Q, K, J): 10 points

• Number cards(2-9): Their face values

• Aces: either 1 or 11, depending on which value is the best for your hand total.

Aces make blackjack scoring a bit tricky as an Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 points, depending on which option best works for your hand total. Regarding Aces, you should learn two more terms:

• Soft hand: A soft hand, like a soft 17, refers to a hand that contains an Ace plus a card, for example, a 7 card. In such cases, the Ace card can be counted either as 11 to make your hand total 17 or as 1 to make your hand total 8, allowing you to receive another card without the risk of getting busted.

• Hard hand: A hard hand contains no Aces or has an Ace that can be counted as 1 without busting. For example, a hand of 8 and 9 is a hard 17, while an ace and a 6 is a soft 17. 

Blackjack House Edge & Payouts Explained 

House edge or casino advantage refers to the built-in advantage that casinos have over players, and it is described in terms of percentage. For example, when we say a Blackjack game has a house edge of around 0.5%, it means the casino is expected to win 0.5% of your total wager over the long run. In other words, suppose you bet $100. In this case, you are expected to lose $0.50 on average over many hands. This is a very low house advantage compared to other casino games, making blackjack one of the best and most favorable games for casino players. 

Remember, the number of decks, house rules, and your strategy directly affect the house advantage in a game of Blackjack. 

Blackjack Basic Strategy 

The Blackjack basic strategy is a chart that illustrates your moves according to the cards you are dealt and the dealer’s face-up card. 

Make sure to learn, understand, memorize, and play according to the Blackjack basic strategy chart because it is the only winning blackjack strategy that minimizes the house advantage and boosts your winning chance. 

Here is a summary of the most important moves according to the basic strategy:

• Always stand on a hand of 17 or higher.

• If your hand is 12-16, only hit if the dealer’s up-card is 7 or higher.

• Always hit on a hand of 11 or less. 

• If the dealer’s up-card is 3-6 and you have a 9, always double down.

• If you have a hand of 11, always double down regardless of the dealer’s up-card value.

• Always split Aces and 8s, and NEVER split 10s or 5s. 

How To Play Live Blackjack In 7 Simple Steps

Now that we have covered the basics of the guide, let's move on and play a hand at Blackjack together. Regardless of whether you play online or at a land-based casino, the objective and gameplay remain the same. However, you should mind the minor rule differences depending on the game variation and casino rules. 

Here is a breakdown of steps to play a winning session of live blackjack:

1. Choose a reputable live casino with standards of fair play and payout and professional dealers. 

2. From the many options available in the lobby, you can choose the table with a Min/Max betting limit that suits your gambling needs and bankroll.

3. Once you enter the game, you should wait for the previous round to end so you can place your bet and start playing. 

4. Most live dealer Blackjack games feature side bets with varying payouts, making the game more random and fun. While some bets may offer whopping payouts of 1000:1, the odds in such bets are entirely against you. So, make sure to try blackjack side bets only once or twice just to increase the thrill of the game. Do not rely on these bets as your gambling strategy. 

5. Place your bets and wait for the dealer to start dealing cards. 

6. Based on your first two cards, decide what you want to do (hit, stand, double down, or surrender).

7. Wait for the dealer to flip their face-down card and compare your hands. 

Tips To Win More At Blackjack 

Blackjack is a game of luck and strategy, where strategy definitely can turn luck around in your favor. So, make sure to keep these pro tips in mind while joining a table:

• Stick to the basic strategy, as it is the only way to beat the casino.

• Stay away from insurance bets, as these bets are statistically very unlikely to win, and the odds are against you.

• Always start small, set a budget, and practice effective bankroll management. Never chase your losses, as you might end up broke!

• If you feel you are at risk of problem gambling or gambling addiction, visit “gamble aware” and use help to get back on track.

• If you are new to Blackjack, stick to the single-deck version, as this version is the most player-friendly Blackjack variation.

Last Few Words

In this blackjack guide, I explained everything you need to know about playing the game with confidence and increasing your winning chance. Blackjack is the best casino game for novice players and allows you to become a pro and actually win real money with a bit of practice. 

Make sure to learn the basics, practice how to play blackjack, and stick to the tips before you join the online casino and find your favorite variation of the game. 

FAQ

1. How much is Blackjack house edge?

Blackjack house edge varies depending on the casino rules, number of decks, and game variation. However, a standard game of blackjack has a house edge of 0.5%-2%. 

2. What is the best blackjack strategy to win online?

The best strategy to win Blackjack online is playing according to the basic strategy. 

3. Can I play blackjack for real money on my phone?

Yes. Thanks to top online casinos, you can play blackjack for real money on the go, as the platforms are optimized for mobile devices.

4. Can I count cards in an online casino?

No. Due to the nature of online Blackjack games, counting cards is virtually impossible.