Blackjack is a widely recognised casino game in which the goal is to achieve a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
This game is commonly found in both land-based and online casinos, with options such as Live casino Blackjack, in-house Casino Blackjack, and Video Blackjack, each offering unique formats.
Types of Blackjack games
- Casino Blackjack: The traditional form of Blackjack played in physical casinos. Here, you are seated at a table facing the dealer, aiming to achieve a hand value higher than the dealer’s without going over 21. Each player competes solely against the dealer rather than against other players at the table.
- Live Blackjack: This online adaptation connects players to real-life dealers via live streaming. The games are set up to recreate a casino-like setting, where the dealer interacts with you and other players through a live chat. This format is popular among those who seek chance-based gameplay from home.
- Video Blackjack: A computerised version of Blackjack available at online casinos. Instead of a live dealer, the game uses a Random Number Generator (RNG) to simulate card dealing. Video Blackjack often features simple graphics, allowing you to enjoy the game at your own pace.
Basic rules of Blackjack
Here is a step-by-step guide to playing a standard Blackjack game:
- Placing a bet: The game starts with you placing a bet in the designated area on the table.
- Dealing the cards: Both you and the dealer receive two cards each. Your cards are dealt face-up, while the dealer has one card face-up (known as the “upcard”) and one face-down (the “hole card”).
- Determining card values:
- Number cards (2-10) are valued according to their face number.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) each count as 10.
- An Ace can count as either one or 11, depending on which value benefits the hand the most.
- Making decisions:
- Hit: Ask for another card to increase the hand total. This can be repeated until you decide to stand or exceed 21 (bust).
- Stand: Keep the current hand total and end your turn.
- Double down: Double your initial bet and receive only one additional card.
- Split: If dealt a pair, you can split them into two separate hands. Each hand will receive an additional card, and a new bet matching the initial one is placed on the split hand.
- Surrender: Some tables allow players to surrender their hand before drawing additional cards, recovering half of the original bet.
- Dealer’s turn: Once you have finished your turn, the dealer reveals the hole card and completes their hand. Dealers typically must follow strict rules, hitting on totals of 16 or less and standing on 17 or more.
- Outcome and payouts: You win the round if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s. A winning hand typically pays 1:1, while a Blackjack (an Ace and a 10-value card) pays 3:2. In the case of a tie (or “push”), the bet is returned to you without a win or loss.
