Blackjack Rules And Everyone Knows It

Being comfortable with the rules of classic blackjack is essential if you want to make the most of your online time playing. It is likely that you will be champing at the bit to start playing but taking a few minutes to learn the key rules or even refresh the rules in your mind will pay dividends so the following key points are vital for all players that want to have as much when playing online blackjack.

The rules of classic blackjack are not difficult, the concept of getting to 21 or as close to it without going over, is simple but there are some important things to learn. After all, if blackjack was too simple, it wouldn’t enthral millions all over the world.

Think about your strategy

It is important to be aware of the fact that blackjack is not a hole card game and this means that the dealer will not be able to have a look at the cards he has been dealt. This increases your chances of success because it is not as if the dealer is making a fully informed decision however, if a dealer reaches 17, they will stick on that. This means if a dealer gets 17 and you get to 18, you will be a winner. There are many times when holding 18 will see you lose but if the dealer hits 17, an 18 will enough to see you be a winner.

If you are dealt a 9, a 10 or even an 11, you are able to double down your hand. This arises when you place an additional wager on your hand that is equal to the initial bet that was placed and for doing this, you will receive an extra card.

It is also possible to split a hand but it is only permissible to split a hand once to provide you with two separate hands. If your split is based around splitting aces, you will be able to be dealt multiple cards to each ace. If you have split and have an ace and are dealt a card with the value of 10, or you split a 10 card and get dealt an ace, it will be classed as being a hand of 21 but it will not be classed as a blackjack. This means you can reach 21 but still lose in certain games.

Who has an ace card?

If the first card of the dealer is an Ace, a player is able to take out insurance. This is a bet that is the level of half of the original bet made by the player. This should be seen as a side bet, making it separate and distinct from the original bet. A player is able to win, at odds of 2:1, even if they lose out to the dealer’s blackjack. If the dealer does not obtain blackjack, the insurance bet is lost.

Knowing the rules is a good start to the game but knowing the theory is one thing, pulling it all together is another. This is why having a step by step blackjack guide can make all the difference.

Take a step by step approach to blackjack

The first step is understanding the object of blackjack and that is to have a hand that is worth 21 but does not go beyond 21 Every player will receive 2 initial cards and they must decide whether to HIT (take another card in the hope of getting closer to 210 or STAND (taking no more cards because you are satisfied with where you are). If your band is of a numerical value closer to 21 than the dealers you win, if not, or you go beyond 21 (going BUST), you lose.

The second step revolves around entering the room, starting the game and then placing a bet. The online site will usually provide instructions, which can differ from site to site but you should find that you can click on the chips that are located closest to you and then drag these to the table. If you are new to blackjack, it is advisable to bet low until you develop a confidence of playing the game.

The next steps see the dealer and yourself being dealt with 2 cards each. The value of your hand will be displayed for you but the 2-10 cards have their expected value, the Jack, Queen and King are all worth and the Ace can be 10 or 1, depending on what is best for you.

A winning strategy is helpful

The following strategies are commonly played by players, although they are no guarantee of success.

  • If your hand is worth 17 or more, STAND.
  • If you have 16 with two 8’s, SPLIT.
  • If you have a hand worth between 13 and 16 points and the up card of the dealer is more than 6, HIT.
  • If you have a hand worth between 13 and 16 points and the up card of the dealer is less than 6, STAND.
  • If you have a hand that is worth 12 points, HIT if the up card of the dealer is worth 2,3,7,8,9 or 10.
  • If you have a hand that is worth 12 points, STAND if the up card of the dealer is worth 4,5 or 5.
  • If you have a hand that is worth less than 12 points, HIT.
  • Make sure you click on the right button for HIT, STAND or SPLIT depending on your decision. It makes sense to familiarise yourself with the layout of the screen before you start playing.
  • If you win, you receive your chips and your level of available funds will increase. If you decide that you want to cash out from the table, there will be a button for this on the screen layout as well. Some sites may have procedures to follow when cashing out but it usually involves cashing out fully first and then signing or logging out from the table and exiting the game. If in doubt, please double check before attempting to exit.