In this article we will look at the basic goals and rules of Blackjack, scoring and possible player actions. We will also discuss the game versions and introduce how to play blackjack to minimize your risks.
Blackjack target
The goal of the game is to get the total number of cards as close to 21 points as possible without exceeding this threshold. Players compete against the dealer, who also aims to score 21 points or a number close to this value.
Scoring
- Cards from 2 to 10 have a corresponding value: for example, a card with the number 5 is worth 5 points.
- Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth 10 points each.
- An Ace can be considered either 1 point or 11 points, depending on what is more profitable for the player. For example, the combination “Ace+6” can be worth either 7 points or 17 points, depending on the situation.
Blackjack Rules
At the beginning of the game, each player and dealer are dealt cards. In American blackjack (regular blackjack) the dealer receives two cards: one face-up and one face-down, which he immediately checks for blackjack if his face-up card is an ace or a card with a value of 10. In European blackjack the dealer receives only one face-up card and deals himself a second card after all players have done so.
Player Actions
You can:
- Draw an additional card (“Hit”) to increase your points.
- Stop at the current score.
- Double your bet (“Double Down”) and receive only one additional card.
- Split a pair (“Split”) if your hand contains two cards of the same value; this forms two separate hands, each with their own bets.
Blackjack rules for dealers
In American blackjack, the dealer is required to check his hole card for blackjack, that is, if his hole card is an ace or a 10-point card. In European blackjack, the dealer continues the deal after all players have completed their turn. The dealer draws cards until his total reaches 17 or more.
Winning and Losing
A win in blackjack is achieved if your total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, or if the dealer overshoots (exceeds 21). A loss occurs if your point total exceeds 21 or if the dealer’s point total is closer to 21.
Push
If the sum of points between you and the dealer is the same and does not exceed 21, the situation is called a “push”. In this case, bets are returned to the players.
Additional rules
Sometimes additional rules are introduced:
- Insurance: When the dealer’s card is an Ace, players are asked to place an insurance bet to protect against the dealer’s blackjack. This bet is equal to half the original bet and pays 2:1 in the case of dealer’s blackjack.
- Surrender: In some variants of blackjack, players can surrender after the first hand, returning half of their bet.
Blackjack Strategy
Strategy for blackjack is a scheme that helps players make better decisions based on their cards and the dealer’s cards. It is based on mathematical calculations and statistical probabilities that minimise losses and increase the chances of winning.
For example, for tough hands (without an Ace), it is recommended to always take a card if the total is less than 12, double down from 9-11 against the dealer’s weak card, and always stop at 17 or higher.
For soft hands (with an Ace), it’s worth doubling down with A2-A6 against certain dealer cards, standing with A7 against the dealer’s middle card, and always stopping with A8-A9.
Full recommendations can be found in the table, which is easy to find on the Internet. In addition, many software providers include the table directly in the game. To open it, simply click on the “Help” button.
How to play blackjack
We have already talked about the optimal approach based on mathematical probability. And in this block we tell you what else is important to know about playing blackjack in online casinos.
Should you count cards?
In most cases this is useless. Today, most games typically use multiple decks: 4, 6, or 8. With that many cards, counting the cards that come out is unlikely to give you any significant advantage. If you sit down at a table with only one deck, you need to know when the deck is shuffled. If they do this after every hand, there is no point in counting.
The general rule for counting is that the more small cards that leave the game and the more cards with a value of 10 that remain in the game, the more profitable it is for the player. In this case, you can increase your bet. If everything is the other way around, then, on the contrary, you need to play more carefully.
You can read more about this in the books “Beat the Dealer” by Edward Thorpe and “Attack of Blackjack” by Don Schlesinger.
Bankroll management
Choose your table carefully based on the minimum and maximum bet size. To implement any strategy, you need to have enough room to manoeuvre. Since the casino has a mathematical advantage, when you play flat (all bets are the same size) you surely can’t win. Your chance is being able to raise at the right time, so you need to make sure you have enough money to do so.
Double down
When you double down, you only have the option of receiving one additional card, so be careful with this. Approximately every seventh combination is profitable for doubling. These are soft hands from 13 to 18 or hard hands 9, 10 and 11. They should be doubled against certain dealer’s cards. You should never double if his open hand is an Ace, and almost never if his open hand is a 10. You can learn more about when to double and when not to double in Basic Blackjack Strategy Table.
Insurance
The dealer may offer you bet insurance if he has an Ace or a card value of 10. In this case, you will receive a payout if he hits blackjack. Often the payout is two bets. And the insurance itself usually costs 50% of the original bet. Mathematically, it is not profitable to use insurance. The dealer won’t hit blackjacks often enough to make it useful.