There is a reason blackjack remains one of the most widely played casino games. Blackjack is a popular and unique card game, because success in the game requires a unique blend of luck and skill. Blackjack is a game that can be played in large groups and with different types of people, because it’s a game that is enjoyable to play whether you’re a beginner or a highly experienced player.
The rise of methods available to play online blackjack have made the game grow even further in popularity. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to step up your game or a newbie, staying sharp on the rules and gameplay is always a key component to success. This guide will walk us through the basics of online blackjack. We’ll look at how strategy and game flow are the keys to coming out ahead.
The Key Objective of the Game
In essence, blackjack is a simple game. All each player has to worry about with every hand is scoring better than one person: the dealer, without going over 21. In the opening round of a blackjack game, each player is dealt two cards. In this initial round, you will have to tell the dealer whether you’d like to “hit” or “stay.” To hit means you’d like another card. Stay (or stand) means you’re happy with your cards as-is.
Decisions about whether to hit or stay, which we will get more into below, depend on the one visible card in the dealer’s hand.
You win your hand if your cards beat the dealers, without busting, i.e. going over 21. You also win your hand if the dealer busts, but you do not.
Blackjack is very much a numbers game, so it’s important to make sure you have a good grasp on what the card values are.
- Number cards As in most table games, number cards are as-is. I.e. the four card is counted as four.
- Jack, Queen, King The face cards in blackjack are all with 10.
- Aces Aces are an important car in the strategy of blackjack. They can be worth 1 or 11, whichever is more advantageous to you.
What To Expect In An Online Blackjack Game
Once you’ve been entered into an online blackjack game, you will be asked to place your wager. Most online platforms allow bettors to make wagers at a wide variety of price points. Both you and the dealer will receive two cards. You will be able to see both cards you’ve been dealt, while only one of the dealer’s cards will be visible to you. The dealer’s card you can see is called the “upcard,” while the one you cannot see is the “hole card.”
This is the point of the game where you’ll let the dealer know what action you want to take. Again, you can hit, or stay. You can also do what’s called “doubling down.” This means what it sounds like – you double your bet, and take one more card. If you are dealt two of the same card, you’re in the unique position to do something called “splitting,” which allows you to break up the cards and play them as separate hands. This play requires an additional bet.
Once every player has made their play, the dealer will flip over their hidden “hole” card. The dealer has to keep hitting until their cards total at least 17. Generally, if you are playing blackjack online, the dealer will stay when they’ve reached 17. This includes when an ace is counted at 11, which is referred to as a soft 17.
Wins and Losses, According to the Rules
If your hand ends up busting, or totally over 21, you lose your bet.
If the dealer busts (and you do not), you win, regardless of your total
If neither you nor the dealer bust, the hand with the higher total wins.
If you and the dealer have the same outcome (a tie), this is called a push, and you have your bet returned.
Knowing the Basics Provides the Framework for Fine Tuning Strategy
As we’ve discussed, blackjack is, at its core, a numbers game. This is what makes it such a unique and appealing casino game. Though all table games rely heavily on chance, success in blackjack really can be improved upon with increased play, strategy, and study.
As online blackjack continues to be a key way for players of all skill levels to enjoy this game, there will be opportunities for even the newest of players to get comfortable with the game in a space that is enjoyable for them. If you are starting to feel quite comfortable with your strategy, it never hurts to take things up a notch by doing a deeper dive into theories on when to hit, which are often largely based on what the upcard is versus what the cards are that you’ve been dealt.
