How to Play Blackjack Online Blackjack Beginners Guide

Some blackjack games, like Vegas blackjack, sees the dealer hit on a soft 17, whereas the dealer must stand on all hands of 17 in variations like European blackjack. If you’re serious about playing (and winning) blackjack, you need to learn about the game’s rules. In addition to the card values, learning about your betting options and how the game works can improve your chances of winning – before hitting the blackjack tables.

Side bets may be fun to make, but wagers like insurance can also drain your bankroll if you don’t know how to play them. Check out our side bets guide to learn the betting rules for these special wagers. Additionally, beginners should also be aware of the different variations of blackjack and the rules that apply to each one of them.

Besides, casinos will quickly show you the door if they think you’re trying to count cards. This is your full walk-through, start to finish, so you can sit down at the table feeling confident and in control. This makes it more difficult to achieve natural blackjack, but there are other player-friendly rules to balance it out. For example, the player’s blackjack always bets the dealer’s, and there’s an option to surrender late. There are several variations of side bets so see what tables offer these extras.

Splitting has the biggest variation in rules out of any move in 21. Some casinos only allow one split per round, while let players split up to three times, resulting in four hands. Players should always ask the dealer or check the blackjack variation rules if they’re unsure of the casino’s betting rules.

Remember, betting in blackjack is all about finding a balance between risk and reward. While it can be tempting to bet big and potentially win big, it’s important to know what your limits are and not break them. You lose to the dealer if your hand value goes over 21, if the dealer has a blackjack, or if the dealer has a total hand value closer to 21 at the end of the round.

This combines your first two cards with the dealer’s face-up card, aiming for poker-style hands, such as three of a kind or a straight. You can “hit” to receive another card, or “stand” to keep your hand as is. The game’s simplicity often makes it an attractive choice for beginners. Blackjack is a popular card game that you can find in many casinos across the UK.

Always Split Aces and 8s

This is probably the biggest mistake that people make when playing blackjack. You need to know when to ask for another card (hit) and when to keep what you have (stand). The basic strategy is to hit until you have at least 17 or higher. The rules of blackjack are to get as close to 21 as possible and beat the dealer.

The name variations depend on personal preference and geographical region. However, the gameplay stays consistent, ensuring you’ll be familiar with the core principles no matter which name is used. Both terms are interchangeably used within the casino world, making them synonymous in meaning.

• If you’re dealt two cards of the same value, you can choose to “split” them into two separate hands.
• This means there is no flexibility as to what the value of the hand is.
• This wager is risky as it can end a player’s betting early on a low second card.

Familiarising yourself with these terms makes it simpler to understand the flow of the game and the choices available to you. This can increase your hand value, but there’s a risk of exceeding 21, which would mean losing your bet or “busting”. Both terms refer to the same game with identical objectives and rules. The name “21” originates from the main goal of trying to reach a hand value as near to 21 as possible.

Some players are happy to help, while others prefer to focus. Below are some of the most common blackjack rule variations that you’ll come across. 2️⃣ The dealer shuffles the deck(s) of cards and deals two cards face-up to you and two cards to themselves. Casino.org is the world’s leading independent online gaming authority, providing trusted online casino news, guides, reviews and information since 1995. An ace card in blackjack usually counts as 11 unless this brings your hand over 21. How ninecasinoofficial you play your hand depends on the cards both you and the dealer have.

European Blackjack

Every beginners guide to blackjack will tell you to get as much practice under your belt as possible when just starting out. You can implement your strategies here as well as trying out new approaches. To be successful playing blackjack it is imperative that you manage your bankroll efficiently.

How old do you have to be to play blackjack?

We recommend you decide on a budget for your play and choose how much you are willing to risk on each hand. Never wager more than you can afford to lose and as a general rule you don’t want to be betting more than 1-2% per hand of your total bankroll. In this section we have outlined a number of key beginner blackjack basic strategy options to implement during play. Blackjack is not just a game of luck—using the right strategy and managing your bankroll increases your chances of winning.

Side bets are typically not recommended for beginners or budget-conscious players. There are some strategies you can use to make money betting on side bets, but for the most part, they favor the house and aren’t worth it for casual players. As live dealer blackjack games take off, there are even more with every passing year.

The main difference is that card suits are meaningless in blackjack, so forget about hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs when playing this game. When presented with a pair (two cards of equal value), a player can split their hand and play it as two separate hands. Betting rules for splitting require the player to match their original bet to cover their new second hand.

However, it may be a good idea to check with the casino staff beforehand, as house rules can vary. Strategy cards can be a helpful tool in learning the game, though the outcome will still depend partly on chance. To play blackjack, your goal is to beat the dealer by getting your hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over. Each player is dealt two cards, then chooses to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender.

Other basic blackjack rules include avoiding going bust by having a hand over 21. Now that you know how to get started with blackjack, let’s look at the blackjack table layout. At UK land-based casinos, blackjack tables are usually oval-shaped, allowing 6 to 7 players to sit around the table and play. You’ll also find a similar setup at the best blackjack online casinos in the UK, only that the tables will be virtual. After you have assessed your cards, look at the ‘My Hand’ column on the blackjack basic strategy chart and run your finger down to find your card combination.

To play effectively, it’s essential to understand the various options available to you during the game. The key player actions are hitting, standing, doubling down, slitting, surrendering, and insurance. From the deck of cards to the betting layout, every element is designed to keep the game smooth and fair. In this section, I’ll walk you through the basics of the table layout, the role of the dealer, and what to expect when you’re ready to play. No, card counting isn’t technically illegal, though it is frowned upon by most casinos. If you’re caught counting cards in some physical casinos, you’ll most likely be asked to leave the casino.

If you want to increase your chances of victory, we highly recommend learning basic strategy. This is a set of rules that tells you exactly what move to make in any given situation based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. That’s not to say you won’t learn quickly, or you won’t learn to play well. Even a basic blackjack strategy can see you beating your buddies round the kitchen table or cleaning up in online casinos. Blackjack, known by some as “21,” is a beloved card game where players aim to beat the dealer with a hand that most closely totals 21 points.

If the dealer and a player have the same total hand value, it’s a tie – and no bets are paid out or collected. It’s important to note that the suits of the cards are irrelevant in blackjack. Unlike in other card games like poker, the suits have no impact on the game’s outcome. As you begin to play make sure to keep your basic strategy guide open on a separate window so you can refer to it quickly.

Typically, the dealer must continue drawing cards until reaching a hand total of 17 or more. This is commonly known as the “hit on 16, stand on 17” rule. You play against the dealer, and each round starts with you receiving two cards. The dealer also receives two cards, with one face up and one face down.