Introduction
It is one of the most popular games in the casino world. So what are the rules of the game that is easy to learn and exciting to play?
Simply Blackjack
The aim of blackjack is simply to beat the dealer, the player who deals the cards. To win, the total value of the cards in your hand must be greater than the total value of the cards in the dealer's hand and must not exceed 21.
Blackjack is played with a deck of 52 cards, but in most casinos more than one deck is mixed. Usually 6 decks (312 cards) are used. Cards from 2 to 10 have a value equal to the number on them. The queen and jack are worth 10, the ace can be worth 1 or 11 depending on the player's wishes.
It is usually played on a semicircular table. Although it can be played with various numbers of players, the most popular table is the one for 7 players. The players sit on the circular part of the table and the dealer sits opposite them on the flat part of the table.
Basic Blackjack Rules
What is Hard and Soft hand?
In Blackjack, a soft hand is a hand with an ace card that is worth 1 or 11. A hard hand is a hand where you do not have an ace, or where the ace you do have is only worth 1.
A simple rule of thumb to get the most out of a soft hand is to take cards until your hand reaches 17 or higher. This way you reduce the risk of going over 21. Another aggressive and effective soft hand strategy is to double down when your hand is between 13 and 18.
A hard hand is more likely to beat 21 than a soft hand. Therefore, you should only draw if you are at 11 or below. If you are at 12 or above with a hard hand, wait. It will reduce the risk of losing and still give you a good chance to win.
Side Bets and Insurance
There are three basic bets in the game of blackjack: the main bet, the side bet and the back bet. In simple terms, a side bet is a bet that is placed alongside the main bet at the player's discretion in an attempt to increase their winnings. The most popular types of side bets are 21+3 and Perfect Pair. In 21+3, the player's first two cards and the dealer's up card are used to evaluate the poker game. In Perfect Pairs, the aim is for both cards in your hand to have the same value (number or face).
Types of Blackjack and Rule Differences
- Vegas Style Blackjack: Vegas Style Blackjack differs from regular Blackjack in that if a player's card value exceeds 21, the game still continues. The aim in this variant is to reach the number equal to 21, or as close as possible.
- European Blackjack: Popular in Europe, there are many differences between the rules of this game and regular blackjack. These differences are that there is no fold, it is played with 2 decks instead of the usual 6 or 8 decks, and the double down is only possible when the player's hand value is 9, 10 and 11.
Blackjack Strategies and Tips
Basic Blackjack Strategies
There are 4 basic strategic decisions a player has to make when playing blackjack. These are taking or waiting for cards, doubling down, splitting cards and retreating. To make it easier for you to make these decisions, you can use basic strategy tables. By taking into account the hard or soft hand, the total value of your cards and the dealer's hand, you can mathematically increase your chances of winning using these tables.
Advanced Strategies
Card counting and betting system strategies are among the most advanced strategies. By following the various betting systems, you can systematically decide how much to bet depending on whether you win or lose a hand and win more often. There are several card counting strategies, the most important of which is to keep track of the cards dealt by assigning a value of -1 to cards between 2 and 6, 0 to 7- 8- 9 and +1 to cards worth 10 or more. Depending on the sum of the new values you give to all the cards dealt and the state of the game, you can increase your chances of winning.
Advice for Beginners
The first thing beginners should do is to master the blackjack rules and basic strategies.
Choosing a Casino for Online Blackjack
There are a few things to consider when choosing a casino for online blackjack. You can choose an online casino where you can have a safe and enjoyable time by following steps such as checking the reliability of the site from the licenses they have and reading reviews, looking at the types of games they have if you want to play different types of blackjack, looking at the payment methods to make payments and withdrawals easily and reliably, looking at the customer service service they provide to contact them if you have any problems or questions.
Summary
Blackjack is one of the most popular games among casino lovers, with simple rules but deep strategies and mathematical probabilities. If you want to try your hand at blackjack, familiarize yourself with the rules and stick to basic strategies.
What is the main aim of Blackjack?
Goal in blackjack is to beat the dealer with a hand value closest to 21 without exceeding it.
How are card values determined in Blackjack?
The card values are as follows: numbered cards (2-10) are worth the value on them, picture cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) are worth 10 points each, and Aces can be worth 1 point or 11 points depending on which value advantage players give more.
Can you split pairs in Blackjack and if so, how does this work?
Yes, if you are dealt two cards of the same value (a pair), you can split them into two separate hands. For the new hand you need to place an additional bet equal to your original bet. Each hand is then played independently.
What does it mean to hit or stand in Blackjack?
Hitting means asking the dealer for another card in the hope of increasing the total value of your hand. Standing means keeping your current hand and finishing your turn without taking any additional cards.
Is insurance a good bet when the dealer shows Aces in Blackjack?
Insurance is generally considered a bad bet for players because the house edge is high. It is a side bet that pays 2 to 1 if the dealer makes a blackjack but loses money over time, statistically less than a third of the cards without a face are cards worth ten.