Even though there are usually dozens of games available in casinos if you use one you will see that blackjack is one of the most interesting casino games for both experienced players and complete beginners. Once you start playing this game you will understand what makes it so special. Namely, blackjack is simple to learn, provides an opportunity to win a lot of money and it’s quick to play too.

The main goal of this card game is quite simple – the player must have a hand with a total value that is closer to 21 compared to the dealer’s hand. Players can always ask for additional cards once the first two cards are dealt, even though this is something that can be considered as risky because if the total value of the hand goes over 21, the player is “bust” and they will lose.

The value of each hand is calculated based on the numbers on the cards. Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10 while Aces can be calculated as 11 or 1 (the value depends on the player’s needs).

How to Play Blackjack?

This game starts when the player chooses how much money he or she wants to invest. When the chips are on the table, each player will get two cards. In addition, the dealer will get two cards too, but one of the cards will be dealt face down and the other one face up. Once the first two cards are dealt, the player must make a decision.

Blackjack

In case your first two cards have a total value of 21 (for instance, you have a Jack and an Ace), you should just turn the cards and inform the dealer that you have a blackjack. In this case, the house will pay 2.5 times your initial stake.

Of course, you cannot expect to get a blackjack with the initial cards frequently. In most situations, you will have to make a decision whether you want another card or you will keep the first two cards. Obviously, you will have to think about how close your hand is to 21.

Hit

According to blackjack game rules, in case the value of the first two cards is low, the player can ask for additional cards from the existing deck. This is what dealers call Hit. So, they will Hit the player with one or more additional cards. It all depends on the player. Don’t forget that the more cards you ask for, the more chances you have to go bust.

Stand

In case you think that your initial hand looks good and that you will probably have a better combination compared to the dealer’s hand, then you can also decide not to draw any additional cards from the deck. If you are in a situation like this, just tell the dealer that you will stand. If you are alone at the table they will reveal their card and if there are other players, the dealer will ask them to make a move.

When every player at the table have made a decision (to Stand or Hit), the dealer will show their second card. In case the value of their card is 16 or less, they must Hit (keep in mind that there are different types of Blackjack and some of them are not following this rule) and if they have 17 or higher, they must stand.

So, in case the dealer goes bust, this is an automatic win for the player that has the highest value of cards. In some blackjack variants, every player who beat the dealer will get money.

Doubling

The most successful online casinos usually allow players to Double whenever their hand gets a specific value. If you opt for this solution, the stake will be doubled and you will get one more card which will be the last card. Generally speaking, players will get a chance to double when the value of their cards is between 9 and 11. However, if you want to be sure, check the rules of the casino you are planning on using.

Splitting

There are times when a player gets a pair as an initial hand. If something like this happens to you, you will get an opportunity to split the hand. The dealer will ask the player to double their initial stake at the cards will be separated and you will get a chance to form two separate combinations. In other words, you will have two separate and independent hands. So, although you may go bust, on one hand, you will still have a chance to be a winner with the other hand.

Insurance

If the dealer has an Ace revealed, there are some casinos that will provide their players an opportunity to purchase insurance against the dealer. In case the player chooses to use this offer, he or she will be asked to put extra chips (50% of the initial stake) on the table. So, in case the dealer has Blackjack, you will lose the initial stake, but you will get the insurance value which is worth double. To put it simply, you will end this round without a loss or win. On the other hand, in case the dealer doesn’t have Blackjack, you will have to turn the insurance payment.

Remember that there are different types of poker and some of them have different rules related to this matter. If you want to be sure what kind of opportunities you have as a player you should look for the pages where you will find the structure and basics of blackjack explained.

Blackjack is a very exciting game, but it is also a card game of discipline and patience. If you want to be successful, you should never chase your losses. Although blackjack is primarily a game of luck, if you are playing without any strategy, then it is very likely that you won’t end the night as a winner. Keep these tips in mind and you should be able to enjoy blackjack in the long run.