Blackjack is an online casino game that requires a bit of math in order to win effectively. However, learning how to play the game can be easy but in order to acquire a winning edge, there are lots of things you need to consider. Basically, in order for one to get started playing online blackjack, you need to read and understand the basic blackjack rules.
Beating the Dealer
The game of Blackjack is all about winning against the house (dealer). It’s a game of players against the dealer. A blackjack table can have 4 to 5 players depending on the casino room you are playing at. The house has an added advantage over the players since the dealer is the last one to act on the table and as cards are dealt, one of the dealer’s cards is not exposed to players.
Blackjack Card Values
In the game of blackjack, each card in the deck is given a point value. There are low cards and high cards present in the deck – Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s are known as high cards and are given a point value of 10 whilst, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 are considered as low cards and carry their face value as point values. The Ace is the only card present in blackjack that can either be considered as low or high and has two point values – it can either represent a point value of 1 or 11.
As the cards are dealt to players, the main objective of player is to have a hand that is equal to 21 or less than 21 and it should be greater than the total of dealer’s cards. If your hand has a value above 21, it is known as a bust and you lose your bet. Getting a hand value of 21 with two cards (an ace and a 10) automatically awards you a blackjack and payout is 2:1. If your hand is equal to the dealer’s hand, it is known as a push/draw and your bet is returned, you neither lose nor win anything. You lose, If your hand value is lower than that of the dealer and if your hand is higher than the dealer’s hand, not exceeding 21, you win and your payout is 1:1.
Each Player is dealt with two cards exposed on the table and the dealer’s two cards (one exposed and the other one with face-down). Once all players have received their cards, the betting round begins and each player is given betting options that include Hit, Stand, Surrender, Split, Double Down, and Insurance. The most common betting options are Hit, Stand, and Double Down.
Hit – Call for an additional card. A player can keep making a hit as long as he/she do not pass 21 in total.
Stand – Call for an end of your betting session and remain in the game.
Double Down – Double your bet, call for an additional card and automatically ‘Stand’.