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Blackjack Explained: Full Guide and Tips
Blackjack is the world’s favorite card game. Even the smallest casinos, online and off, are bound to host a blackjack table. Its simple rules and room for skill have helped to make and keep it popular even now.
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What is Blackjack?
Blackjack, also known as 21 or Pontoon, is a simple card game where players compete against the dealer to get a hand closer to 21 without going over. While multiple people sit at a single blackjack table, another player’s hand will never influence the outcome of your own bet.
Blackjack is a staple of casinos across the world, and you can find many variations of it online.
A large part of its enduring popularity is thanks to the element of skill involved. Deep knowledge of the game and a thorough understanding of probability will instantly help your performance, even if only by a little. This is why blackjack’s house edge is so small, at only 0.5% for some variations.
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How to Play Blackjack: Step-by-Step
Blackjack may take a lifetime to master, but actually learning it is incredibly simple. With our simple guide, you can start playing almost immediately.
The Aim of the Game
The winning condition of blackjack is having a hand that is closer to a total of 21 than the dealer’s. You’re dealt two cards and can then add additional cards to get closer. However, if your hand total exceeds 21, you go ‘bust’ and automatically lose.
Card Values Explained
As with any card game, it’s important to know what each card is worth before you start.
- Number Cards (2-10): maintain their printed value
- Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): all have a value of 10
- Aces: can be worth either 11 or 1, depending on the other cards in your hand. If you go bust with 11, it’s worth 1 instead.
Your Turn: Hit or Stand?
Once bets have been placed, you’ll be dealt a hand of two cards. Depending on what your hand is, you can choose from a couple of actions:
Hit: Take another card to increase your hand total.
Stand: Keep your hand as is and move on to the dealer’s resolution.
Double Down: Double your initial bet, then receive one additional card.
Split: If your hand has two cards of the same value (e.g. two 8s), you can double your bet and split the cards into two separate hands.
Regardless of what you do, the player phase will only be ended if you either choose to stand or go bust.
The Dealer’s Play
Once the player phase has finished, the dealer will resolve the game. The hand is revealed, and the dealer adds cards based on specific rules. Commonly, the dealer will always stand on a 17 or higher and draw additional cards otherwise.
After the dealer has reached the final result, bets are paid out depending on the outcome.
If in the initial deal, you’re dealt an ace and any card worth 10, this is called blackjack and you win instantly at a higher payout. If the dealer receives a blackjack, the hand goes to a push, and all bets are returned.
Here’s a rundown of the payouts according to each result:
| Result | Payout |
|---|---|
| Normal win | 1:1 |
| Blackjack | 3:2 |
| Tie/Push | Bets are returned |
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Basic Blackjack Strategy Tips
Blackjack is a game of chance through and through, but unlike most traditional casino games, it has a strong element of skill involved. Knowing when to make certain actions and the general probability of a game will always give you a leg up.
While detailed blackjack strategy can be complex and full of difficult-to-remember conditions, we’ve noted some of our top tips for absolute beginners.
When to Hit and When to Stand
These are some very basic rules that will rarely steer you wrong, especially as a casual player.
- Always hit if your hand is 11 or less.
- Always stand if your hand is 17 or more — this is the dealer’s rule as well.
When you have a hand between 12 and 16, this is when the element of skill is important. Since most games let you see one of the dealer’s cards, whether you choose to hit will depend on that. This is when you might want to consider a probability chart.
When to Double Down or Split
- Always double down on 11 (unless the dealer has an Ace) — more than a quarter of the cards in blackjack are worth 10, so there’s a good chance you’ll be dealt one. Also, if you don’t get a 10, it’s still impossible to go bust, so you still have a chance at winning with a 9 or 8 and so on.
- Always split Aces and Eights — these cards provide the best possible set-up for new hands.
Play Blackjack Responsibly
Blackjack is a lot of fun, but it’s important to play smart instead of too much. Always manage your bankroll carefully, stay within budget, and make full use of any responsible gambling tools available to you. And remember to play for fun, not for profit.