How To Play Blackjack Guide

Blackjack is fast, fun and simple to learn. You can find it at every online casino. It is one of the most played gambling games online.

Blackjack is the classic game of 21. You play against the dealer to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You win if your hand is better than the dealer's. To play, you can 'hit' to take a card or 'stand' to keep your total. You can also place side bets to boost the action.

So, are you ready for a game of Blackjack? This guide covers everything you need. Here you learn the rules, bet types, and smart strategies. It helps you make better decisions and improve your game.

What's On This Page

The Objective of Blackjack

There is only one objective in Blackjack. And that is to beat the dealer. You can dig down into complex systems and concepts, but this objective remains the same. It is true whether you're playing at an online casino or at a land-based location. To achieve this objective, you will need to collect cards with a higher value than the dealer without going over 21. Sounds easy, right? Well, while blackjack is easy to learn, the complexity of bets and wager options means it takes time to master.

Although you might know how to play blackjack, understanding the ways in which you can beat the dealer - or indeed lose to them - allows you to take more control of your betting. Below you can check out how to play blackjack at a casino by learning the winning and losing patterns:

How To Beat the Dealer

Of course, while playing blackjack online is fun, you really want to win. To do that, you will need to beat the dealer in one of the following ways:

• Draw a hand with greater value than the dealer's hand but no greater than 21.
• The dealer draws a hand that goes over the value of 21.
• Win on your first hand if you draw two cards with the combined value of 21 without the dealer doing the same.

How You Lose to the Dealer

Even if you use our blackjack how-to-play guide, losses will happen. Blackjack is a game of luck, and sometimes the dealer will win rounds in one of the following ways:

• Your hand goes over the value of 21, and you bust.
• The dealer holds a hand that is of greater value than yours but no greater than 21.

One of the first things you need to understand when learning how to play blackjack is your blackjack hand. Consisting of two or more cards, a hand is essentially the cards you currently hold. The range of hands and their value is relatively straightforward in blackjack. You simply take the value of the cards and add them together to get your score.

There are two types of hands you can hold when playing blackjack. These are known as soft hands and hard hands. The two work a little differently from each other.

Soft Hands in Blackjack

A soft hand is where your hand includes an Ace. When this happens, an Ace either has a value of 1 or 11. Then, you can choose how you wish to apply it to your hand and create your score from there. Effectively, the term "soft" means that the score that you have is one that you cannot go bust on. Therefore, it can be much more flexible.

For example, say you have an Ace and a 5. This hand could represent a total of 6 or 16, a soft score. If you were to stand with this combination, your score would be 16. But, if you were to hit, then the score of the next card would determine how the Ace is played.

Yet, one vital thing to note when learning how to play blackjack at a casino is that a soft score can never bust if you decide to hit. For instance, if you choose to hit and the next card is a 7, this would give you a score of 23 if you use the Ace as an 11. Of course, this would mean your hand is bust. Therefore, you can switch the value of Ace to 1 and create a new score of 14.

Hard Hands in Blackjack

On the contrary, a hard hand is any card combination that does not include an Ace. It has no flexibility, meaning that your hand can go bust with a hard combination. Understanding how to play blackjack for beginners means understanding the consequences of a hard blackjack hand.

Say you were dealt a 6 and a 9, giving you a total score of 15. If you decide to hit and are dealt a 7, you would have a score of 22, meaning you have gone bust. The increased risk with hard hands is that going bust is a big part of the game with these combinations.

When considering how to play blackjack, card game players should understand that there are numerous versions of the game. While these variants share many similarities, there are core differences between them. It is essential to understand these differences when choosing which free blackjack game to play and which basic strategy to use.

Part of the charm of blackjack is how easy it is to play. Even so, there are rules to know if you want to learn how to play blackjack. Players have the choice of multiple variants, but most have the same core game rules:

• If you hold a hand with 21 or lower and the dealer has a hand with less value = you win.
• If you hold 21 or lower, but the dealer has a hand with a higher value (under 21) = you lose.
• If you have 21 or lower, but the dealer has higher than 21 (a bust) = you win.
• If you go higher than 21 and bust = you lose.
• If you and the dealer have the same hand value (a push) = your bet is returned.

Blackjack Hand Step-by-Step

Once you know how to play blackjack, visit one of my recommended online casinos. Understanding the basics of blackjack gameplay will help you get started and choose the best game variants for you. Below, I've put together a convenient step-by-step guide to help you play blackjack online.

Blackjack is essentially a card counting game where each hand has a value that contributes to an overall number equal to or less than 21. Learning how many cards to play blackjack and their value is fundamental to understanding the game.

Blackjack Card Values

Blackjack Payouts

Knowing the payout percentages of games is essential when playing blackjack online. Each game has a specific payout rate that tells you the house edge. This is how much the casino wins back on average. Understanding how each rule and betting option can influence the house edge/payout will allow you to find the best blackjack games.

Playing blackjack online games with the best payout rates will give you more chances of winning and help your bankroll last longer. Regular blackjack has a standard payout of 3 to 2. Yet, other online tables have different payout percentages that can be less or more than this standard, so it is worth researching individual games to find out.

Blackjack Side Bets

One of the first things you will notice in blackjack is that you have plenty of side bets to choose from. However, the majority are reasonably rare. As a rule of thumb, you should almost always avoid these bets. Some of them carry a huge house edge, offsetting any low edge from the main game.

One of the most popular bets is that of 21+. In this game, you are looking at hands that create a flush, straight pair and combinations of each from the players' two and the dealer's one card. The house edge for this bet is a massive 8% in games played on four decks. Yet, this edge does decrease the more decks that are in play. As you'll soon uncover when learning how to play blackjack, this is a common theme with side bets.

If you're looking to go pro playing blackjack, you should steer clear of these bets. You would be far better off nailing the basic blackjack strategy from within the main game than messing around with side bets that may offer you little value in the long run.

Blackjack comes with tons of different terms and names that you can use for cards, bets, and hands. You will likely use specific terms more often than others, and we have even mentioned a couple already in this blackjack how-to-play guide. It's vital to familiarise yourself with some of these phrases, so we have created a list of what we think are the most crucial blackjack terms to note.

Blackjack Lingo

Blackjack Hand Options

On the surface, playing blackjack is easy, and even beginners can enjoy games at top online casinos. Although, if you want to make the most from blackjack, it helps to understand all the potential options you have during the game. Here, blackjack becomes more complex, and you can manage your hands in the following ways:

Blackjack Hand Signals

While blackjack is arguably the ultimate casino game, it is also one of the most welcoming. You can easily sit at a table and verbally instruct the dealer on your betting choices. However, if you want to add a touch of efficiency to your blackjack playing, you can use hand gestures to communicate your bets:

• Hit - If a player wants another card, they should tap their index finger on the table.
• Stand - Wave your hand over your cards to signal you are happy with your hand.
• Double Down - Place additional chips next to your original bet (outside the box) and point to the stack to double down.
• Split - Again, place additional chips next to the first bet (outside the box), but this time point with two fingers in a clear V shape to signal a split.
• Surrender - You should draw a horizontal line across the blackjack table with your index finger to alert the dealer that you wish to surrender.

Undoubtedly, online blackjack has changed how most players address the game. It's opened up a whole new world to game variations.

The number one reason to play online at live blackjack casinos is that the house edge is almost always lower than it is with land-based casinos. There are many ways that the rules can adjust the house edge in blackjack. Yet, with a land-based casino, you take what you are given. Online, you can quickly shop around. So, if games have a higher house edge, they may not get the traffic to make them profitable.

Playing blackjack online also gives you a much more comprehensive range of games. Some include Spanish 1, Super Fun 21, Pontoon, War Blackjack, Face Up Blackjack, Double Attack, Down Under, and many more. The base of each of these games is the same. But subtle rule changes mean that they are unique, offering an incredible array of choices.

The game is very simple to play. You don't have to worry too much about playing perfectly every time. Although it will benefit you in the long term. Most people at least know basic rules, making the game highly accessible.

Unlike online slots or roulette, blackjack is an art you can master. You will always be an underdog to the casino, but you can at least minimize this, unlike almost all other games.

Finally, it's one of the few online casino games where you can apply some strategy to your bets. The Martingale Betting System is one of the most popular with blackjack players. If you would like to learn more about Blackjack betting systems, tap the button below.

Now you know how to play blackjack at a casino. It is time to put your knowledge into action! But wait just another moment before you head off to one of my recommended blackjack casinos. I've put together some tips to help you get the most from playing blackjack online. Here you go:

• Learn basic strategies: No betting strategy will guarantee you win. But understanding basic systems can help you control betting and manage gameplay more efficiently.
• Start small: High rollers are pro-level gamblers willing to take risks for big rewards. For regular players, starting with small bets allows you to maintain your bankroll and have more enjoyment from blackjack.
• Manage your bankroll: Set yourself a budget from disposable income not related to your monthly expenses and stick to it. Knowing how much you have to spend and not going over allows you to enjoy gambling within your personal limits.
• Play for free to practice: Practice makes perfect! If you are new to playing blackjack or are testing a variant, most casino sites allow games in free play. You can practice betting, test out strategies and learn hands.
• Take advantage of casino offers: Casino bonuses can be of great help. Bonuses that boost your bankroll are a great way to start your Blackjack adventure. Remember to read the T&Cs of any bonus you want to claim and pay close attention to wagering requirements and game restrictions.

I have compiled a list of online casinos where you can play Blackjack. These sites offer live dealer Blackjack as well as software-driven tables. Every casino on my list has been reviewed. This means you can sign up and play with total peace of mind. All the sites are licensed by reputable gambling authorities. They have security measures in place to ensure your funds are safe. I have also checked that the customer support they offer is of good quality. Some of these online casinos offer bonuses to new players. Check the bonus terms and conditions to see of you can use the bonus to play Blackjack. If yes, you might want to claim the bonus and play with the boosted bankroll.