How To Play Blackjack – A Beginners Guide

Are you looking to get started with playing blackjack online? If so, this guide will teach you all the basics and help you get to grips with how blackjack works and what you need to know to play it at online casinos.

Blackjack is a popular card game that is widely played in land-based casinos and online. Understanding how to play blackjack is crucial if you want to give yourself the best chance of walking away from the table with a profit as using the wrong strategies can result in a much greater chance of a loss.

Blackjack is available to play in the vast majority of online casinos and basic blackjack strategy can be used in both online blackjack and live blackjack games.

Knowing when to hit, stand, split and double will give you a much greater chance of winning and that is what we’ll be showing you in this guide.

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The Basic Rules Of Blackjack

If you are new to playing blackjack, the basic rules may seem a little overwhelming. However, with a little bit of knowledge and understanding of the game, you’ll quickly get the hang of it as blackjack isn’t a difficult game to understand or even master.

Below, we will go over the basic rules of blackjack and explain some of the terminology that will help you get to grips with the game quickly.

The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand by having a hand with a higher value, without exceeding 21. Each player is dealt two cards and the dealer is dealt one card face up and one face down. A player can then decide to take more cards or “hit”, or to stick with the cards they have and “stand”. The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, as this is considered a “bust”.

The basic strategy for playing blackjack is to make decisions based on the value of your hand and the dealer’s up card. For example, if you have a hand value of 11 or less, you should always take another card as it’s not possible to bust. If you have a hand value of 17 or more, you should always stand unless you have a “soft hand” – More on that later.

One important thing to remember is that aces can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on the value that is more advantageous to the player. For example, if you have an ace and a 6, your hand value can be either 7 or 17.

Don’t worry if all of this seems a bit complicated as we’ve provided a free blackjack strategy chart on this page so that you’ll know exactly what move to make depending on the cards you and the dealer have been dealt.

Playing Blackjack – A Step by Step Guide

If you want to play blackjack, the first step is to find a table to join at an online casino. Most online casinos offer both live and simulated blackjack games.

Once you’re seated at a table, it’s time to place your bet. Although optimal blackjack strategy can increase your chances of winning, it is still a game of chance, so it’s important to stick to a budget and avoid betting more than you can afford to lose.

After placing your bet, the cards will be dealt and you must decide whether to hit, stand, split or double.

If you’re not sure what move to make, we recommend using a blackjack chart. We’ve provided one further down the page.

If you are dealt a pair, you may choose to split them into two separate hands. This can be a risky move, as it doubles your bet and gives you two new hands to play. However, if the cards are a good match for splitting (such as two aces), it can improve your overall chances of winning the hand.

Finally, if your hand is strong, you may choose to double your bet and receive one more card. This can be a great way to maximize your potential winnings, but it can also be risky if the dealer has a strong upcard. When doubling down, you will only receive one more card.

Blackjack Hand Values

One of the most important aspects of playing blackjack is understanding the values of the different hands.

Here’s a quick guide to the hand values in blackjack:

• Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value.
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are worth 10 each.
• Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what would benefit the player’s hand more.
  For example, if you have a 7 and a 9 in your hand, your total hand value is 16. If you have an ace and a 6, you can choose to either have a total hand value of 7 or 17.

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Things To Remember When Playing Blackjack

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re playing blackjack.

Standard Wins Pay 1:1

Regular wins in blackjack pay 1:1. For example, if you bet £10 and you have a total of 20 and the dealer had a total of 19, your hand would win and you would receive £20 back.

Blackjack Wins Pay 3:2

When you are dealt blackjack (a hand totalling 21 points with two cards) it will pay out at 3:2 odds, unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case the bet is considered a push and you will receive your stake back. If you placed a £10 bet and you were dealt blackjack, your returns would be £25 rather than the standard £20.

Dealer Must Hit On 16 or Less

The dealer is required to hit on any hand valued at 16 or below. This differs from players who have the option to hit, stand or double with any hand.

Blackjack Insurance When The Dealer Has An Ace

Insurance is an option when the dealer has an Ace showing, allowing players to bet on the possibility of the dealer having a blackjack. If you take insurance, your bet will increase by 50%. If the dealer has blackjack, you will receive your original stake + the insurance bet back, but if the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, you will lose your insurance stake and the game will continue as normal.

Surrender Is Sometimes Available

Some versions of blackjack also allow the player to surrender after the cards have been dealt. By doing so, you will forfeit half of your bet in exchange for ending the hand early.

Soft Hands in Blackjack

Lastly, it is important to understand what soft hands are in blackjack. A soft hand refers to any hand containing an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11. For example, if you were dealt an Ace and a 7, you would have a soft 18.

Blackjack Tips To Win More

When playing blackjack, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of winning in the long term. Here are some blackjack tips that many successful players use:

1. Always split Aces and 8s no matter what card the dealer is showing
   When you have a pair of Aces or 8s, it’s always a good idea to split them. This is because Aces are valued at either 1 or 11, so by splitting them, you give yourself the chance to make two hands of 11. 8s are valued at 16, which is a difficult hand to play, so splitting them gives you two hands of 8, which are much easier to play. Mathematically, it’s always best to split Aces and 8s.
2. Never split face cards or tens
   While splitting Aces and 8s is a good idea, splitting face cards or tens is not. This is because you already have a strong hand with a value of 20, which is very difficult for the dealer to beat. By splitting these cards, you run the risk of weakening your hand.
3. Taking insurance is a bad value bet
   When the dealer shows an Ace, you’ll be offered the option to take insurance. This means that you’re betting that the dealer’s second card is a 10, giving them blackjack. However, this bet has a slighter higher house edge and is not a good value in the long run.
4. Side bets are bad value despite them having the ability to pay out large amounts
   While side bets like Perfect Pairs or 21+3 may seem tempting, they are not a good value in the long run. These bets have a very high house edge and are designed to make the casino money, not the player. While they may pay out large amounts on occasion, the odds are against you and you’re better off sticking to the basic game.

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When To Hit or Stand in Blackjack

With every hand of blackjack that you play, you must decide when to hit or stand. Choosing the right move can increase your chances of winning. So, what factors should you consider before deciding to hit or stand?

The aim of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over and you should always try to aim for a hand value of 17 or above, as this gives you a decent chance of winning the hand. However, there are several exceptions depending on what card the dealer is showing which is why we recommend following a blackjack chart until you know the correct moves off by heart.

So, when should you hit?

In general, you should always hit, or double in some circumstances, if your hand value is less than 12, regardless of the dealer’s upcard. If your hand value is between 12 and 16, things get a bit trickier. In this case, you should consider the dealer’s upcard.

But what about when you have a strong hand? When should you stand?

If your hand value is 17 or higher, you should always stand. However, if you have a soft hand (i.e., a hand with an ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11), you should adjust your strategy accordingly.

Take a look at our free blackjack chart further down the page for the correct moves to make in every situation.

When to Split in Blackjack

Splitting in blackjack can be a great way to increase your chances of winning, but only when done correctly. When you split a pair of cards, you essentially create two separate hands to play against the dealer.

So, when should you split in blackjack?

First and foremost, you should always split a pair of Aces. This gives you a chance to get two blackjack hands, which will give you a great chance of winning. The same goes for when you are dealt a pair of 8s. Although this may seem a strange move if the dealer has a high card, mathematically it is the correct move to make.

Here is a summary of when to split cards in blackjack:

• Always split aces.
• Never split tens.
• Split a pair of 9’s splits when the dealer has a 2 through 9, except for 7, when you should stand.
• Always split 8’s
• Split a pair of 7’s when the dealer has a 2 through 7, otherwise hit.
• Split a pair of 6’s when the dealer has a 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
• Never split fives.
• Split a pair of 4’s when the dealer has a 5 and 6, otherwise hit.
• Split a pair of 3’s when the dealer has a 2 through 7, otherwise hit.
• Split a pair of 2’s when the dealer has a 2 through 7, otherwise hit.

Blackjack Strategy Chart

Below is a free blackjack strategy chart. By following the moves shown based on your own cards and the dealers up-card, you give yourself the best chance of making a profit in the long run.

Managing Your Bankroll

One of the most important aspects of playing blackjack is managing your bankroll. Your bankroll is the amount of money you have set aside to play the game. Proper bankroll management is essential to ensure that you do not lose all your money too quickly and end up empty-handed.

First, determine your budget for playing blackjack. Only play with money that you can afford to lose. If you cannot afford to lose it, do not risk it. This applies to all forms of gambling and not just blackjack.

Next, set limits for yourself. Decide how much you want to bet per hand, and how many hands you want to play. Stick to your plan, even if you are on a losing streak. Do not exceed your limits in an attempt to win back your losses. This is known as “chasing losses” and can quickly lead to you losing more than you can afford to.

Choose a table that suits your bankroll. A high-stakes table may be tempting, but it could also wipe out your entire budget in just a few hands. Instead, find a table with a lower minimum bet, so you can play more hands and have a better chance of winning.

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