Blackjack

Blackjack is a table game which is played with cards. Every online casino will offer you blackjack so you can imagine the popularity of this game. There are a lot of different types of blackjack and it will take to far to discuss them all on this page. But once you know the basic rules of the game you will easily understand all the derivatives from the basic blackjack. On this page we will discuss the classic blackjack. We do recommend you to always check the rules of the online casino as well as they might have some additional own rules.

Blackjack

The principles of blackjack

The aim of blackjack is simple; to get 21 point with the cards in your hand and beat the dealer with that. In an online casino you usually play blackjack just against the dealer so there are no other players involved.
The number of decks of cards that is being used depends on the type of blackjack that is being played but a Classic blackjack will usually just use one deck of cards. All the 52 playing cards of a deck are used. The face cards are all worth 10 points and the numbered cards are worth their own value. The Ace can count as 1 point or as 11 points.
When you or the dealer has an Ace and a ten card it is called a natural blackjack. This natural blackjack always defeats a hand with 21 points.
Sometimes it is also possible to buy an insurance. You can do this when the first card of the dealer is an Ace. With that Ace as a first card the dealer has more chance to get a natural. To buy insurance you need to pay a bet that is equal to half of the original bet. It is of course up to you to buy insurance but most of the time it will cost you more then it will give you.

How to play blackjack

The game will start with the dealer shuffling the cards. You can place you wager but in an online casino this usually happens automatically. You will now receive two cards and the dealer will also receive two cards. Your cards are always face down, so the only person who can see your cards is you. The cards of the dealer are mostly dealt with one card face down and one card face up, so you can see one of the cards of the dealer. This can differ per type of blackjack.
When you now have a natural you have won the game. Unless the dealer has a natural too then it is called a Tie and you will receive your bet back. In the case neither you nor the dealer has a blackjack the game will continue. You can take another card but the dealer has some specific rules about taking another card. For example when the dealer has a total of 17-21 points he is not allowed to take another card but when he/she has less then 16 points the dealer may take another card. This also can differ per type of blackjack.
Now it depends on who has a hand that has 21 points or is as close as possible to 21 points. You can either win, loose or have a tie.

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Blackjack terminology

Like other casino games Blackjack has some basic terms and definitions as well. These are general and used by all online casinos. We will explain the most used terms;

  • Hit: in the case you want another card you can hit
  • Stand: when you are satisfied with the cards in your hand you do not hit another card but you stand
  • Double: you have the option to double your bet amount. After that you will receive only one more card. Usually you can only double on a hand that holds 9, 10 or 11 points.
  • Bust: this is when the points of the cards in your hand are over 21, you automatically loose
  • Split: it might happen that you receive two of the same cards, for example two 7′s. When you have two of the same cards you are allowed to split them which means that now you can play with two hands. Each of the cards will receive another second card. This will enhance your chances to win.
  • 21: this is a hand that is not a natural but does have 21 points
  • Push: it is called a push when you and the dealer have a tie
  • Soft hand: in the case you have an Ace it is called a soft hand as the Ace can count as 1 or 11 points. For example a hand with a 5 and an Ace is called a soft 16.