Blackjack is one of the most popular games in any casino and it is no surprise that a lot of people are inclined to learn how this game works. High odds, low house edge, are a few features that make Blackjack one of the best casino table games around.
The rules of blackjack are pretty simple and straightforward which makes it the perfect casino game for any newbie to learn. This is why we have written this guide to help beginners have a better understanding of the game.
The article will guide you through the basic rules and fundamental strategies of blackjack.
How to play Blackjack
Blackjack is a card game played in various land-based and mobile casinos. The idea of the game is straightforward. You along with other players will be competing against the dealer. Unlike other card games such as Poker, players do not compete against each other in a game of Blackjack.
Cards and their Meaning
First of all, we start with the main “gambling tool” used in Blackjack which is a French deck of cards. Since blackjack is a card game, you must be familiar with a card deck and how they apply in the game. A typical deck of cards contains 52 cards with 4 different symbols (commonly called “suits”). These suits are:
- Diamonds
- Spades
- Hearts
- Clubs
Just like every normal deck of cards, the symbols of the spades and clubs are black while the diamonds and hearts are colored red.
An ace is naturally referred to as the first or “1” of any suit.
The final 3 different suits are the (k) King, (Q) Queen, and (J) Jack. These cards are also known as face cards.
Calculating the Score
Another important thing you need to note is that the suits hardly influence the game. There are 4 suits of each different rank in the deck of cards. These suits have their limits and are not important in certain Blackjack variations.
You also need to know how the scores are given based on the ranks of cards in hand. You can calculate your scores with these blackjack rules:
- Face cards such as the King, queen, or jack are worth 10 points
- 1 or 11 points are given for the ace of any suit
- The point of any other card is based on their rank. For instance, the 2 of clubs is worth 2 points, the 3 of hearts is worth 3 points and so on.
Hold up your cards and sum up the points based on each rank. The player with a higher number of total cards is declared the winner. Remember, every player on the table is competing against the dealer and not against each other. The only way to win blackjack is to have a “higher hand” than the dealer.
Having a “higher hand” translates to a win. A player can win the whole game by holding a 2-card hand that adds up to 11 points, which makes “a blackjack”. A blackjack is a difficult move to land but every player hopes to land one at some point in a game. However, anyone who lands a blackjack automatically wins the game.
Another term you need to know is the “losing hand”. A losing hand is otherwise known as a “dead hand”, which occurs when a player’s entire card in hand makes up 22 points. Any player with a losing hand automatically loses the round. The total sum of cards in hand must not exceed 21 points irrespective of the dealer’s total score.
Basic Rules of Blackjack
Some rules govern the flow of the game. About 7 players including the dealer make up a blackjack table. You will notice certain words printed on the table. The usual signs include the following which every blackjack player must know:
- Dealer must hit on all 17s
- Blackjack pays 6 to 5
- Number of table bets (Minimum and maximum)
- Insurance pays x to y
You have the choice to perform one of the following moves while playing Blackjack
Hit
Hitting in a game of blackjack refers to a player taking an extra card to add to the ones in hand. However, it is a risky move. You must have in mind that the total sum of cards in mustn’t surpass 21poiints.
Split
You can only make the move to split a hand if you have two cards of similar rank. The dealer would hand you an extra card on the 2 hand cards you possess. However, splitting would require you to make an extra bet without could make you win or lose all.
Other blackjack moves include standing, surrendering, and doubling down.
Conclusion
One of the main benefits of gambling is to have fun. There is no doubt Blackjack is an exciting game to play in any casino. You can also play blackjack online for real money on websites like Bovada.lv.
With the basic rules we have provided on how to play this popular table game, you can now also experience the excitement Blackjack games offer.
