How to play Blackjack: The ultimate guide

Many gamblers enjoy playing blackjack for the chance to earn some rewards while having fun. It offers thrilling gameplay where you can rely on experience, skill, and luck to win the game.

With all that said, how exactly do you play blackjack, and what are the rules, mechanics, and bets you need to know to play? Start your journey to becoming an online blackjack master today. Learn everything you need to know about the game with this blackjack guide by Bitcasino.

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What is blackjack?

Blackjack is a casino card game that originated in France and is well known for its simple yet thrilling gameplay. By adding your cards' values together, your goal is to have the highest value at 21 without exceeding it. Going over 21 is called a ‘bust’ and results in a loss.

This casino game has one of the lowest house edges, between 0.4% and 2%. House edge refers to the advantage casinos have over players in the long run. 

The variations of blackjack you can play

Though we’ve discussed an overview of a standard blackjack game, some variations keep it fresh. Let’s look at variations like Spanish 21, Pontoon and Double Exposure Blackjack.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a blackjack variation that removes the 10s from the deck but maintains the standard variation’s goal. 

Removing 10s means there are only 48 cards in a deck containing numbers two to nine, aces and face cards. The game’s distinguishing features include the ability to double down on any number of cards, late surrender, and additional bonuses during the base game.

Pontoon

Pontoon is a blackjack variant that has been around since the 18th century. In this variant, the term 'Pontoon' is used instead of 'Blackjack' to signify a hand value of 21. However, the goal is the same: beat the dealer with a hand value of 21 without going bust.

The best feature of this variation is the 'Five Card Trick,' in which players can win with a hand of five cards totalling 21.

Double Exposure Blackjack

Double Exposure Blackjack is a variation of the game where the dealer's cards are dealt face up, giving you more data to work with compared to other types. However, you only get even money (1:1 payout) for a blackjack instead of the usual 3:2. Moreover, the dealer wins on ties unless it’s a tie on a natural blackjack.

Blackjack rules and game mechanics

Here are casino blackjack rules you need to know, including card values, actions and side bets:

Card values

Typical blackjack games use a 52-card deck, with each card having different values. Cards from 2 to 10 are known as number cards and retain their face value. Meanwhile, the face cards Jack, Queen, and King all have a value of 10. Finally, the ace can be a 1 or an 11, depending on which is most advantageous to the hand.

See the summary of card values in blackjack below:

Actions

You can take different actions when playing blackjack, such as hits, stands, double downs, splits and surrenders. Learn more about these actions below:

Hit

Hit is when you wish to add cards to your hand, increasing its value. You can keep going until you're pleased with your current hand. However, exceeding the value of 21 means you ‘bust’.

Stand

Choosing to stand indicates that you don’t want to receive any more cards. When you stand, you preserve your current hand value until the end of the round.

Double down

A Double Down is a strategy where you double your initial stake to gain one more card. This is a risky but potentially rewarding option if you're confident in your hand's strength based on the dealer's up card.

Split

Splitting in blackjack is when you have two cards with the same rank, and you split them and place another wager. In short, you can play two hands at once with the cards you have.

Surrender

You might encounter situations when you’re unsure whether you want to continue betting or you don’t like your initial cards. You can surrender in blackjack by forfeiting your wager once the dealer has confirmed their cards.

Side bets

Pair bets

A Pair bet is a side bet option based on specific pairings from your first two cards. There are three pair bets: perfect pair, coloured pair, and mixed pair.

• Perfect Pair: Have the same rank and suit.
• Coloured Pair: Have the same rank and colour. 
• Mixed Pair: Have the same rank but different suits.

Insurance bet

You can use the insurance side wager when the dealer has an Ace as their up card. If you believe the dealer has a total of 21, you can place this bet before other players on the blackjack table. If the dealer has 21, you get your original wager back.

How to play blackjack: A step-by-step guide

Now that you know the game, the next step is learning how you can play live blackjack. Check the step-by-step guide below:

1. Find a blackjack game you like

Browse our blackjack games and find a variation you want. Once you’ve found a game, enter the virtual table and wait for the betting round to begin.

2. Place your bets

When playing at a live casino, you must wait for the ongoing round to end before joining the game. After the round ends, the dealer will declare that the betting window is open. Place your bets before the time ends to ensure you can participate.

3. Decide on your betting action

With the betting window closed, the round will officially start. The game host deals cards to each player in turn, going from left to right, to begin the round.

Take this opportunity to analyse your cards and compare them to the dealer’s hand. By checking your hand against the dealer’s, you can determine whether to hit, stand, double down, split or surrender. 

4. Wait for the outcome and payouts

After comparing players’ hands against the dealers', the winners and losers of the round will be determined. If you win, you receive the payout after. However, if you lose, you forfeit your bet. The round then concludes, but you can continue playing the game.

Blackjack tips to use in your gameplay

Enhance your gambling experience by using blackjack tips and tricks to boost your chances of winning at Bitcasino:

Read and learn from blackjack charts

Basic strategy charts in blackjack are visual tools that highlight the optimal moves in various scenarios. Based on the dealer's face-up card, they recommend whether you should hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender.

Through understanding and memorising these charts, you learn about the most logical way to play the game and, subsequently, master the game. It also helps you avoid making irrational and rash decisions.

Avoid insurance bets as much as you can

Insurance bets require you to wager an additional sum to protect yourself if the dealer gets a blackjack. 

The blackjack odds of winning an insurance bet are slim since you can only win if the dealer holds an ace and a ten-value card. In addition, winning an insurance bet means you get back the amount you originally placed. Therefore, you don't increase your winnings. 

Prepare a bankroll strategy before you play

Responsible gambling means having a good bankroll management system. This means tracking and controlling your profits and losses while staying disciplined in your gaming habits.

This might be as simple as using bankroll management software or manually keeping track of games and earnings on a spreadsheet. Setting up and following a personal bankroll plan prevents overspending, using funds meant for non-gaming activities, and depleting your crypto funds.

When should you surrender in blackjack?

To put it simply, if you have been dealt a hand that you are sure will lose, then surrendering is the right option. Although you are still losing half of your stake, that is a better option than losing all of it. The maths that back this up is relatively easy to understand.

Because you are losing half of your stake if you have a 50/50 or better chance of winning with the cards you have been dealt, then it would not be worth surrendering. To map this statistically over time, you would come out with less money. However, if you have a less than 50/50 chance of winning, then the correct choice would be to surrender. If you mapped this out over time, then statistically you would come out with more money if you choose to surrender in those circumstances.

There are two main hands where you should surrender, depending on what the dealer has, of course.

Make sure to you remember that you need to see what the dealer has before you make your choice – this is an important part of decision-making in blackjack.

Hard 16

The first is a hard 16, though there is an exception to this. If you have two 8s, then splitting the cards would be a better choice than surrendering. Any hard 16 combination except two 8s means that you need to check the dealer’s cards to see if you should surrender. If the dealer has an Ace, 9 or 10 showing, then surrendering would be the best choice for you.

Hard 15

The second hand that invokes the possibility of a surrender is a hard 15. This is a much easier one to remember as the surrender will only come into effect if the dealer has a 10 showing. While surrendering will not earn you big wins, it is an important tactic. It reduces the house edge by almost 0.1%, and more importantly, it allows for a great deal of control over your bankroll. Because you will have half of your stake returned each time you surrender, it will give you a greater amount to play with in the long term.

Can you always surrender?

It is important to find out before you begin playing if you can surrender or not. Not all blackjack games offer the ability to surrender. If you are playing a game and want to surrender only to find out that it is not an option, it could mess up your strategy in the long term. Choosing a game that offers the ability to surrender impacts your strategy and as such is important to check before you begin playing. It is also important to check the rules around surrendering, as in some cases the surrender is not allowed until after the dealer has checked for a blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack, then the surrender will not be allowed in this case.

Blackjack games to play at Bitcasino

Ready to test your newfound blackjack knowledge? Try out some of the most popular blackjack games at Bitcasino. Check them out here:

Bombay Club Blackjack by Live88

Play Bombay Club Blackjack and experience betting like a VIP. This solid live dealer casino game with standard blackjack rules is ideal for thrill-seeking punters. It has a 99.29% RTP and pays 3:2 for blackjack and 2:1 for insurance. The game features vibrant studio decor, high-quality live streaming, and intuitive game layouts.

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One Blackjack 2- Indigo by Pragmatic Play

One Blackjack 2 Indigo by Pragmatic Play has an RTP of 99.28%. Many gamblers love this game for its elegant gaming experience that will keep you entertained for hours.

All winning hands with more points than the dealer are paid in a 1:1 ratio. On the other hand, the payout is 3:2 when the player has a natural blackjack.

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Lightning Blackjack by Evolution

Evolution's Lightning Blackjack is an exciting game that offers thrilling rewards. This version of the classic blackjack game has large prize potential and a fast-paced gaming experience that you can’t miss out on.

The highlight of this game is the lightning feature, which allows lightning to strike 1 to 5 numbers, and these lightning-struck numbers are multiplied by 2x to 25x. If your bet succeeds, you could win up to 25x your wager.

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Unlock a world of prizes by playing blackjack at Bitcasino

There’s no mistaking how fun and exciting a blackjack game can be. From strategic decision-making to gripping card draws, the game has much to offer players. 

Hit, stand and double down on your way to winning big payouts as you master more of the mechanics and strategies involved with blackjack. Ready to jump in the fun? Sign up for an account at Bitcasino and play our various blackjack games today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is blackjack a game of skill or luck?

Blackjack is equal parts skill and luck. Though it relies on luck, blackjack also depends on your strategy and understanding of the game to win.

How to bet on blackjack?

You can play blackjack and start betting by creating an account at Bitcasino, depositing funds and selecting a game. Once you’ve chosen a game, click on it and place your bets.

Can I play blackjack while on the go?

Yes, you can! Bitcasino and its partners ensure you can gamble wherever and whenever you want. As a result, many of our blackjack games are optimised for mobile use. This means you can enjoy the game on devices like smartphones and tablets.

Words by Charlotte K