How to play Blackjack: The ultimate guide

Why should you play blackjack? The answer is a simple one—it’s because blackjack is one of the easiest, but thrilling card games on the planet. If you can count, then you can play blackjack. Moreover, it's simple gameplay and high potential payout for skilled players combine the thrill of chance with the satisfaction of a masterfully played hand. Find out how to become a blackjack ‘natural’ with this ultimate guide to the basics of blackjack.

From Vingt-et-un to Blackjack

The earliest appearance of Blackjack can be tracked down in France as Vingt-et-un. The humble Vingt-et-un then made its way to American casinos as the game, Twenty-One.

Because of its unpopularity at the start, casino owners decided to spice up the game by adding a new bonus—a 10 to 1 payout whenever bettors hit a natural 21 with a black Jack and an Ace of Spades. This bonus invited loyal casino patrons and gave Twenty-One its new name we all know and love, Blackjack.

The boost proved effective because Blackjack took America’s casinos by storm. Along with the bonus, casino goers also found Blackjack’s gameplay simple and exciting. Blackjack reduces the confusion common in other games by offering two easy winning requirements, forming a natural 21 or beating the dealer’s cards. The rule became easier when casinos allowed the use of 10 and other face cards Queen and King to form a natural 21.

Blackjack’s newfound fame means the creation of other variants. The inclusion of new kinds of Blackjack such as Pontoon and Spanish 21 made the card game more famous and allowed old players to try a new set of rules that made their game more fun.

Basics of Blackjack

As a beginner, it’s always better to know the basics of blackjack before you dive into blackjack dealer rules, etiquette, the best blackjack hands to use, strategies and more.

Naturals

First of all, let’s address a common misconception that blackjack is just any card total that sums up to 21. Also known as “natural 21”, blackjack entails a player to add up to 21 on the first two cards that they are dealt with.

This means that you have to get an Ace and any card that has a value of 10 points. If your initial 2 cards are an Ace and a 10, it gives you a total of 21, therefore, you automatically win unless the dealer has the same score.

On the other hand, a bust means going over the value of 21 and losing your bet for that round.

Blackjack deal

It’s important to remember that blackjack is essentially played against the dealer. A blackjack deal pertains to the dealer handing out one upturned card to you and another one to himself after you placed a bet. Following this, another round of face-up cards is dealt to you while the dealer takes their second card face down.

Blackjack card values

A standard pack containing 52 cards is used. The most popular version of blackjack employs six decks, meaning there are 312 cards.

Cards have their corresponding value in this game where the numbers 2 to 10 are set with their respective numerical figure. On the other hand, a Jack (J), Queen (Q), and King (K) have a value of 10 points each while an Ace (A) can either be 1 or 11 points.

How does a round of blackjack begin?

Once you’ve chosen a seat, you need to make a wager. All this requires is to ensure that you have funds in your account and then choose how much you would like to wager. It’s that simple.

Once everyone has made their wager, the live dealer will begin dealing cards. First, they will deal one card to each player, and then one to themselves. The cards dealt to the players will be face up, and the card dealt to themselves will be face down. Then, another card will be dealt to each player, once again face up, and the dealer will deal themselves one more card, but this time it will be face up. Once everyone has been dealt their hand, the game can begin.

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The dealer starts with the player on their left, which will be on your right when you’re looking at the screen. They ask what the player would like to do. From here, there are five different choices that you can make:

Stand

This is the simplest choice possible. It means that you just take your hand as it is. When it comes to the first option, if you have a hand that you feel confident can win, then it makes sense to stand. This will allow you to avoid the possibility of going bust from adding extra cards to your hand.

Hit

Hit means to get another card. You can hit as many times as you want to get a higher value closest to 21 as long as you don’t go bust.

Double down

Doubling down is a more advanced tactic that some players use. Doubling down, or “reaching deep” as dealers would call it, is considered as the money move in blackjack since it can lead to making twice as much profit. With it, you multiply your original bet by as much as 2x its value in exchange for a single card.

It can be daunting for beginners to try this out, but it’s a better blackjack strategy than just hitting while you are placing large bets. However, you should only use it in advantageous situations that can be more profitable for you.

For example, it’s best to double down when you are holding a 9 when the dealer is holding a 2,3, 4, 5 or 6. It’s always a good practice to examine the dealer’s up card to give you a good insight into what move you should make.

Split

If you are dealt a pair, you are allowed to split them into two hands. In this case, you will need to place an additional wager equal to your original stake. Once you have done this, the dealer will give you an extra card for each hand and you will play for two hands. Depending on the rules of the casino, you may be allowed to split more than once if you are dealt another pair.

Here are some tips on when to split pairs in blackjack:

• You should split pairs if you are dealt with matching pairs of Aces. There is a great chance that you will get a hand value of 10 as your next card when you have Aces. 
• A pair of 8s should also be split since 16 is a weak hand. 
• Never split pairs of 4s or 5s because you’re unlikely to bust.
• Do not split a pair of 10s as well since there’s no point in doing so. This is because you are always very close to winning.
• In splitting a pair of 9s, you should consider the dealer’s upcard. Don’t split it if it’s a 7, Ace or any card with a value of 10 or less. If you think they have18 or less, you can proceed to split.
• If the dealer’s upcard is 8 or higher, you should also split a pair of 7s. There is a good chance that they can win with a card that is valued at 10 or an Ace.
• If the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6 upcard, you can split a pair of 6s. However, a pair of 6s is not ideally split.
• There is not much risk in splitting a pair of 2s or 3s especially if the dealer’s upcard is a 4, 5 or 6.

Surrender

If you’re dealt a bad hand, you can choose to surrender the hand. When this occurs, the dealer takes the cards and gives you back half of your wager. While it may seem like a non-starter of a choice, if you feel like you’re not going to be able to do anything with the hand you’re dealt, then it makes sense to get half of your stake back rather than lose all of it. Always check the table rules for each game before you play to check whether or not it's possible for you to surrender.

Side bets 

Side bets come in different categories and payouts and can make the game more exciting because of how you will execute the bet during the game. These bets are placed during the game, and it predicts diverse results that can present the gambler with payouts depending on the wagered amount.

The list below are some of the side bets you can try:

21+3

This bet was created to see if the outcome of the three cards—player’s two cards and the dealer’s up-card—will make a Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-kind, or a Straight Flush:

• Flush - Flush is the lowest paying 21+3 side bet. It contains three cards of the same suit. For instance, King, 9 and 10 of spades. 
• Straight - This is a combination of three cards in a sequence. A combination of 2, 3, and 4 is an example of Straight. 
• Three-of-a-kind - This side bet is placed predicting that the dealer’s upturned card and the player’s first two cards will be in the same rank.
• Straight Flush - Three cards in numerical order and identical suits are considered a straight flush. An example of this is 1 of Clovers, 2 of Clovers and 3 of Clovers. 
• Suited Three-of-a-Kind - This side bet consists of three cards of the same suit and number. For instance, three cards of 5 of Spades.

Perfect Pair

The Perfect Pair is an additional bet placed wherein the first two cards dealt are a pair of Mixed, Coloured, or Perfect:

• Mixed Pair - Mixed pair is of two different colours, one red and one black.
• Coloured - This side bet is a pair of the same colour but different suits. 
• Perfect Pair - A pair is considered perfect when two cards are both the same suit and value. An example of a Perfect Pair is when you are dealt with two kings of hearts.

Insurance

Insurance is an advantage in blackjack especially for the players. Because of this side bet, they can be protected from the dealer. Insurance is designed to give players a chance to receive payouts despite not having a winning hand.

Royal Match

This side bet can be offered both on single-deck and multi-deck tables. When the player’s first two dealt cards are suited during the multi-deck game, the payoff is 5 to 2. With a royal match, the payoff is 25 to 1.

Over or Under 13

This side bet can be done when the player wagers on whether the sum of their cards will be under or over 13. Over or Under 13 sides can be offered during six-deck or eight-deck games.

Super Sevens

If the player’s first card is a 7, the payoff is 3 to 1. If the first two cards are 7s, the payoff can be 100 to 1 or 50 to 1. The player’s payoff is 500 to 1 if the first three cards are unsuited 7s. If it is suited, the player will receive a payoff of 5,000 to 1.

Lucky Ladies

During Lucky Ladies, players can bet whether their first two cards are a total of 20 with two queens. When you get 2 queens of hearts, you will receive a payoff of 1,000 to 1 only if the dealer has a blackjack. If the player gets two queens, the payoff is 200 to 1.

Pair Square

This Pair Square side bet can be won if the player’s first two cards are of the same rank.

What are the rules for the dealer in blackjack?

Other than the rules players should know, there are also rules: A dealer’s turn is always after a player. Before starting a round, the dealer must shuffle and cut the blackjack cards then have the players place a bet for their hands. Afterwards, the cards are dealt. Here are the blackjack casino dealer rules that you need to remember:

When does a blackjack dealer win?

A blackjack dealer can win a round depending on the cards dealt. They automatically win if you bust or surrender. Another way for the dealer to win is when their total hand value is closest to 21.

Blackjack dealer rules 16

If the dealer has a total hand value of 16 or less in blackjack, the dealer must hit. They always have to hit values below 16 and have to stay when their cards are higher. Hitting means that the dealer must take a card until their total is 17 or more, at which point the dealer must stand.

Moreover, if the dealer has a total hand value of 18 or more, they have no options but to stand.

Blackjack dealer hits soft 17

In blackjack, the dealer must hit as well if they have a soft 17. A soft hand in blackjack means the combination of an Ace with a card that does not have the value of 10. This is because an Ace can be counted as 1 or 11. An example of a soft 17 is an Ace and a 6 that sums up to 7 or 17.

Blackjack dealer rules 17

The dealer must stand if they have a hard 17. A hard 17 in blackjack means that there is no Ace dealt. With a hard hand, you are stuck with a rigid hand that cannot be changed. A hard 17 includes cards that are valued as a 10 and 7.

Blackjack dealer rules with ace

If the dealer draws an ace, they must count the card as 11 for a total hand value of 17 or more (but not over 21) and stand. Unlike a player who always has the option of taking one or more cards, the dealer's decisions are automatic on all plays.

What does ‘push’ mean in blackjack?

A push is the result of both the dealer and the player receiving a blackjack or if they have the same value. If this is the case, no one wins the round and the dealer will return your bet.

Odds of landing a Push

Here are the odds of landing a Push, Win, and Lose in blackjack:

There’s one variant in blackjack that offers the Push 22 bet, and it’s the Free Bet Blackjack. Get to know more about this variant right here:

Free Bet blackjack

Free Bet blackjack is a popular variant and it has the same goal as the standard blackjack game: to beat the dealer without going over 21.

In Free Bet blackjack, you can have a free Split on all pairs except 10, J, Q, and K. If your two-card hand has a total value of 9, 10, or 11, you can do a free Double down. If you have a hand with a total value of 22, your bet will be returned to you.

What is Push 22 in blackjack?

Some people might think that Push and Push 22 are the same but they aren’t. Push 22 is a type of bet made in the Free Bet blackjack variant. This bet is considered a win if the dealer busts. In this case, all wagers in play will be Push.

Push 22 was invented by casino game inventor Geoff Hall. The main idea is that when the dealer has a total value of 22 and the player does not bust or doesn’t have blackjack, the round will only result in a Push.

Should you stay or leave after a push happens?

Each player has their own idea of the right time to leave a table. To help you determine this, here some examples of when it’s best to leave the blackjack table:

When you lose money

If this is the case, you have no other choice but to leave the table because you don’t have the money to place the Ante bet and will most likely be kicked out. It’s better to come back if you have the money to meet the specific amount of the table instead of borrowing money just to play blackjack.

When you no longer have half of your bankroll

If you already lost half of your bankroll, it’s best to leave the table before you lose all your money. One of the best ways to avoid this is to join a table where you have the budget to meet the required bet.

Leave when you’ve doubled your money

You are lucky enough if you reached the point where your money has doubled. Regardless of whether you feel like you’ll hit another winning streak or not, it’s best to leave the table and enjoy your win instead of betting again and losing all your money.

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Blackjack decks: What’s the difference?

As blackjack moved to digital platforms, it evolved into a game that's more riveting, accessible and best of all, challenging. From a single deck, the game evolved to include double and multiple decks to make the game more exciting.

In the early days of casinos, single deck blackjacks were the holy grail of blackjack games. With a deck of only 52 cards, players found it easier to strategise and guess the cards that will be dealt. However, this eventually paved the way for unfair advantages and card counting, hence the creation of the double-deck blackjack game.

By having two decks in rotation, casinos levelled the playing field and made it harder for players to count cards and predict the outcome.

The more cards are dealt in a single game, the higher the casino edge becomes. However, this should not deter you from playing since double deck blackjack still has its charm and advantages.

Playing single deck blackjack

It’s easy to understand blackjack. All you have to keep in mind is your cards and the dealers. You’ll be dealt with two initial cards either face-up or face-down depending on the table you’re playing. Meanwhile, the dealer’s card will have one face-up card and one that’s face-down.

You can either stand, hit, split or double down depending on your hand and strategy. The important thing to remember is that you have to beat the dealer’s hand. Whoever has the hand closest to 21 or hits 21 first wins the round.

Playing double deck blackjack

There’s no significant difference between a single deck and a double deck blackjack game besides the number of decks in rotation. Both of them utilise the same gameplay and follow the same rules. You’re also allowed to make the same basic actions like hitting, standing and splitting pairs.

As their names suggest, a single deck only uses 52 cards while the double deck blackjack game doubles that. Having more cards on the deck moves the game up a notch since there are more pairing possibilities for your hand.

For instance, double deck games specify that the dealer should hit a soft 17 instead of standing. A soft 17 happens when a hand has an ace counted as 11 with additional cards that total a 17.

This gives you more options to double down or multiply your wagers 2x on the following instances:

1. A soft 14 hand against the dealer’s 4
2. A soft 18 hand against the dealer’s 2
3. A soft 19 hand against the dealer’s 6

Another difference between single and double blackjack decks is when you should surrender. At a single deck game, you can surrender when you think the dealer has 21 or has a better hand than you.

On the other hand, a double deck game doesn’t have the same option. However, this won’t affect your chances of winning because you can use that to your advantage by wagering for an insurance bet.

Consider taking insurance for the following hands:

• 15 against a dealer’s ace
• 17 against a dealer’s ace
• A pair of 8 against a dealer’s ace

Advantages and disadvantages: single vs double decks

When it comes to strategy, the difference between single and double blackjack decks is knowing when to hit (H), stand (S) or double down (DD). Since there are fewer cards for you to consider with a single deck, there are more options for you to double down when the hand you’re holding is in your favour.

Here’s a table to illustrate your strategy options for single deck games:

Having lower cards on your hands gives you more opportunity to hit since you have an approximate idea of what cards can be dealt to your hand. Moreover, you can also double down your bet or stand when things are favourable as shown on the table.

The same strategies can be utilised for double deck games. However, you will have fewer options to double down since there are 103 cards that can affect your decision and alter your gameplay. The cards are more volatile and you won’t have the advantage of predicting what comes next.

You’ll more likely be able to predict the results better on a single deck than a double deck because you can keep track of the cards that have already been played. The odds are also better for you to hit the winning hand since you only have to deal with 53 cards.

How casinos differentiate between single and double decks

Most casinos offer more games with double and multiple blackjack decks than their single deck counterparts. This is so the players won’t be able to cheat the game through card counting, making the playing field even for everyone.

Casino payouts for blackjack decks

Single deck games have a 6:5 payout. This house edge won’t affect your game too much if you play a few rounds at a time but it does put you at a disadvantage when you play riskier strategies with higher stakes.

Double deck and multiple deck blackjack tables have a 3:2 payout for the winning hand. Although you won’t have the upper hand when it comes to strategy because there are more cards in rotation, you’d still get better payouts whenever you win.

Mistakes to avoid in blackjack

In a gambling game or generally in life, you win some and lose some. However, you can give the casino a run for its money in playing blackjack. This is through giving attention to blunders that are just easy to avoid once you learn about them.

They may not be that obvious when you are already at a blackjack table so here are 6 common mistakes to avoid in blackjack:

1. Knowing little to no basic playing strategy

There’s nothing wrong with playing for your entertainment. However, it won’t be as much fun if you’re losing a great deal of money. One of the most common mistakes to avoid in blackjack that beginners make is failing to know the basic blackjack strategy to use.

Avoid being influenced by your emotions or guessing. You have the ability to impact on your winning chances in blackjack so you ought to utilise this to your advantage.

2. Playing Tables with a Continuous Shuffling Machine

Continuous Shuffling Machine or CSM holds 4-5 decks in most cases. Unlike other traditional shufflers, the CSM collects discarded cards from one or more rounds and randomly combines them without pausing.

This keeps the house edge constant throughout the rounds. Therefore, it increases your chances of losing. You can always avoid this mistake by playing at tables with traditional automatic shufflers which deal fewer hands hourly and in a single or double deck game.

3. Assuming a Win in a Betting Progression

A house edge is a mathematical advantage that the casino has over you as you play over time. This advantage results in an assured percentage return to the venue over time. Therefore, it’s an assured percentage loss of what you bet.

Keep in mind that the chances of winning depend on card counting because this helps you determine the cards that are already removed from the deck. The house you try to beat with a betting progression will clean you out if you aren’t being mindful.

4. Going with Side Bets

Casinos often offer side bets that will seem like an attractive prospect, especially if you’re just a beginner in the game. Side bets come in different varieties but do not cost much compared to normal odds.

This may sound enticing but it’s actually just a clever way for casinos to make you lose more money in the long run. Thus, it increases their profits. It’s better to stay clear from side bets and trust your strategy instead.

5. Continuing to Play

One of the most common mistakes to avoid in blackjack is failing to know when you have to stop playing. Most players, especially those in a losing streak, keep on playing in hopes to get back all the money they’ve lost.

This is just a misconception that you need to avoid. Betting more does not increase your chances of winning. The truth is the more you bet, the greater the probability of losing your money. When you start to turn in a profit, it’s time to grab your money and back away.

6. Being Too Serious With the Game

There’s nothing wrong in putting your game face on once you sit at a blackjack table. However, you have to remember that this is all just a game. The money is just an incentive for the hours of fun you’ll have once you accept that you will eventually lose some.

Have fun but play smart. Keep in mind these common mistakes to avoid in blackjack. Then, you’ll have a great time and a good chance of playing for a decent amount of time and maybe going home with a little extra money.

Variations of blackjack

Because of the game’s popularity, a number of great blackjack variations have been developed across the globe. They can be differentiated when it comes to how the cards are dealt and rules. Here are some of the variations of Blackjack you need to try:

Progressive Blackjack

In Progressive Blackjack, players are allowed to win the increasing jackpot. Adding a $1 can be done for a chance to win the increasing jackpot.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack is played with 2 decks. The players will be dealt with two face-up cards and the dealer will have one face-up card. Until the player makes a decision on how to play their cards, the dealer’s hole card can’t be dealt.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is also known as the Spanish Blackjack. This variation is played with six or eight deck cards. Out of 48 will be used in the game. In this game, the dealer wins the hand if they have blackjack or 21. It will result in a tie if the player also has a blackjack.

Where to play blackjack?

The best place for you to play blackjack is right here at Bitcasino, where we offer a wide range of different blackjack games for your perusal as well as several other games. The numerous blackjack games that are available gives you enough choice to find the perfect variation for you with multiple live dealer options available.

However, before you make that choice, it’s best to sign up with us at Bitcasino. That way, you can have full access to all the games that are available as well as being able to earn numerous rewards. That’s without even mentioning the fantastic welcome promotions that we offer all our new players.

After you’re signed up and joined in the fun, it’s just a matter of picking the blackjack game you like the most, and then you can start playing.

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Blackjack etiquette

Etiquette is also important when you play blackjack. They go hand in hand with the rules of the game to ensure that you enjoy your experience.

Before anything else, be sure to check if your live dealer is trustworthy or not. You should also make sure that there is an available spot on a blackjack table before joining in. If there is one, wait until the current hand finishes before buying in. It’s also important to respect the blackjack dealer and other players.

Interact with them courteously. Live dealers can be very helpful, but that does not mean that you can abuse their friendliness if they do not deal the cards you want.

Choosing which blackjack game to play

It’s difficult to choose which blackjack game to play, as there is quite a large selection available. Here at Bitcasino, we have multiple blackjack choices for our players. This is a relatively large selection to ensure that none of our players feels limited in their choices.

Which game you decide to play is completely up to you. There are choices from standard blackjack to VIP blackjack to high roller blackjack. Whichever game you choose to play, it must cater to your needs. This means that if you’re a beginner to the game, then you should probably aim for the classic version of the game with lower stakes. You can even practice most of our games by playing for fun, which means you can test out your strategy before putting any of your cryptocurrency on the table. This choice allows you to get to grips with the game before you start trying to win big, but of course, the real fun comes when you play for something to win, so get to practising and playing as soon as possible.

Find the version that you feel the most comfortable playing, and you will have found the game for you. It might be that you prefer the more human element of a live dealer game, or it could be that the classic games allow you to just zone in and focus.

Whatever your own personal feeling is, there is a game out there for you. All you need to do to find it is to try them out today at Bitcasino! Make use of your newfound knowledge of the basics of blackjack and dominate the game with each bet.