Blackjack is one of the most exciting games in any casino. The basic rules are, moreover, not very complicated, and very quickly, you will be able to learn and play this cult game. The history and origins of Blackjack remain rather vague. Over the years, historians have discussed several theories about the origin of this famous game. It seems that he comes from the Mediterranean basin, more precisely from Italy, Spain, and France.
Of course, the Blackjack that gamers played decades ago must have been different in many ways. Today, we can notice that modern Blackjack and online Blackjack have established themselves as the noble heirs of the possible variants that have since emerged.
The rules of Blackjack
To play Blackjack, you only need to be a minimum of two: a dealer and a player. Of course, Blackjack is also played with several players who all play against the dealer representing the casino and the bank.
The objective of a Blackjack game is to get a hand with a total of cards as close as possible to 21, and at the same time, beat the dealer, who has the same objective as you: to get as close as possible to 21.
The person closest to 21, or with 21, wins the move and bets. The value of cards in Blackjack Blackjack is generally played with 2 to 8 sets of 52 cards.
The cards have the following values: From 2 to 10: each card has the value of the number written on it. Jack, Queen, and King: these cards are worth 10. Ace: This card is either 1 or 11, as you wish.
How to Play Blackjack: Tips and Guidelines
At the beginning of the game, each player receives two cards face up. The dealer deals himself a face-up card and a hidden card.
The player is free to request as many cards as he wants without exceeding a total of 21, beyond that; he is eliminated, and the dealer wins the move.
In Blackjack, the player wins the game if the total value of his hand is higher than the dealer’s hand, but certainly not higher than 21.
Be aware that the dealer continues to draw a card if he is at 16 and stops at 17. To let the dealer know that he is ready to play and receive cards.
The player must place a bet in front of him before the dealer deals the cards.
For online Blackjack, you have to click on the amount to bet (chips ranging from $1 to $500 depending on the tables) and click on the “bet”.
After your bet, the dealer deals you two cards face up. He also receives his two cards, one face up and one face down. You then have to calculate the total of your cards (for example: if you receive a king and a nine you have a total of 19. If you receive a 6 and 2 you have a total of 8, etc. ).
At this point in the game, you have several choices (buttons will appear at the bottom of the game screen):
- A card – This means that you can request an additional card.
- Stay or Serve – This means you don’t want to receive another card and plan to stay with your current total.
- Double – This allows you to double the bet at once and receive another single card. It’s like a double or nothing.
- Split – If the player receives the first two cards with the same dominance, he can split his hand into two different hands. This option automatically places a bet equal to the initial bet on each of the two hands. These two hands can be played independently.
- Insurance – In Blackjack, if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the Blackjack player has the option of making a bet with insurance.
This corresponds to betting half of the original bet: it allows the player not to lose his bet if the dealer has a hand containing a 10 or a figure in addition to the ace discovered.
During the Blackjack game, if the dealer’s hand matches an Ace and a 10, the player wins 2.5 times the Insurance bet (which is the same as keeping his initial bet and insurance bet).
If the dealer’s hidden card has a value of less than 10, the Blackjack player loses his insurance bet, and the game continues as normal. In the case of insurance, the player may not overtake or separate.
After these different actions, the two games are compared, and the one closest to 21 wins the move.
You can receive Blackjack bonuses online, check before you register at an online casino in order to take advantage of the different offers.
Blackjack variants
As you will have understood, Blackjack is a popular casino game in the online gambling community as well as in land-based casinos. Any age, any style: Blackjack appeals to everyone.
Despite this, the rules remain accessible and straightforward, which is why many variations have appeared in the field. Here are some of them.
Classic Blackjack – the original version of the game. Loved by players from all over the world, the rules are crystal clear and accessible to all.
Free Bet Blackjack – another variant of Blackjack designed by Geoff Hall. Players can find an additional specificity to the classic Blackjack. When the player decides to split or double, he does not risk losing his hand. This allows the player to use his techniques more often than usual.
Blackjack Switch – it is also a variation of the game designed by Geoff Hall at the beginning of the 21st century. The difference with classic Blackjack here is that the dealer gives you two hands instead of one. Thus, throughout the game, the player has the option of swapping cards between each hand.
The winnings are distributed differently than in a classic Blackjack game, in this one, the classic redistribution is 3 to 2, while in Blackjack Switch the odds are 1 to 1.
Blackjack 5 Hand – the special feature here is that the player will have five hands instead of only one! The negative point is the difficulty which is multiplied by five but the real positive point not to be neglected and that the chances of winning are too!
Single Deck Blackjack – a variant of Blackjack that is played with only one deck of 52 cards. If you have decided to try it, you will be pleased to know that the house does not have a significant advantage. In other words, you will be able to increase the volume of your earnings.
Caribbean 21 – Caribbean 21 is a variant of Blackjack in which the nominal value of aces can never be 11 points.
Live Blackjack – today you also have the opportunity to play Blackjack live. A real dealer, filmed live from a gaming studio or a real casino, takes care of the card distribution. Most online casinos are equipped with software that allows you to play like this, and many players prefer by far this experience that brings them closer to reality and allows human contact and authentic interactions.
There are still many variants of Blackjack. Do not hesitate to get started to make the most of it and find the one that will satisfy you.
Tips for beginners in Blackjack
If you are new to the field, don’t worry, we give you a list of unique tips and tricks for beginners.
Let the dealer choose to pick
There are a few signs that allow you to see directly if the dealer is in a bad situation: if you see that he has an open card worth 4, 5 or 6 points.
All you have to do is play smart and play the game properly: if the dealer in front of you has a soft hand his next step will probably be to “draw” an additional card in order to get as close as possible to 21.
For you, this is a golden opportunity: it’s time to make a “double down”, double your base bet or separate your game.
The goal of these steps is to get as much winnings as possible if the dealer loses.
Keep your hand rigid
Very important: stay on your game if you ever have a rigid hand worth 17 points.
You tell yourself that with 17 in hand your chances of winning are minimal, but it is better to keep this than to take the risk of jumping out of the game (as soon as you exceed 21).
Learn to separate well
One of the golden rules is to know how to separate well: indeed, you should never separate the 10 while the aces and 8s are systematically separated.
Indeed, the ace is a powerful card in the Blackjack game, and if you split them up, you will have two chances to get 21.
While with two 8s you will get a hand of 16, the worst of the possible combinations, by separating them you can perhaps get two good combinations of 18.
As for the 10, it’s the other way around.
A hand of 20 points, forms two 10 points, is very powerful. It is therefore important not to risk separating them and losing it.
Stay away from insurance coverage
There are some styles of Blackjack where you are offered to “take out insurance”.
This is insurance against Blackjack when the dealer’s open card is an ace.
Our advice: don’t take it! Indeed, insurance is advantageous only too rarely.
The principle is that if the dealer does get a Blackjack, thanks to your insurance you get your initial bet back.
So don’t wait any longer and be the next big Blackjack winner!