Blackjack is the most popular table game in the world. The classic game of “21” is one of the easiest card games to learn at the casino and a staple of all online casinos. If you’ve never played blackjack online, we’re here to help. This page will give you all of the basics on how to play blackjack, along with some general information to help you find the best games of online blackjack.
How To Play Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the easiest games to learn, whether you’re playing on a desktop or at a mobile casino. The object of the game is to make a hand as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21. If your hand beats the dealer, or the dealer busts with a hand over 21 points, you win.
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Points are calculated based on the rank of each card. Here is a quick points chart:
- • Ace – 1 or 11
- • 2 through 9 – Face Value
- • 10 through King – 10 Points
At the start of a round of blackjack, you must place a bet to receive cards. Once this bet is placed, you will be dealt two cards. The dealer will also receive two cards, generally with one card face down.
After the initial deal, if your two cards are an ace and a 10-point card, this is a natural blackjack. A blackjack generally pays 3 to 2. Some tables pay 6 to 5.
On all other point totals, you will have the decision to make. You can opt to stand or hit. If you stand, you will receive no additional cards. Otherwise, you can opt to hit and receive another card. After receiving your card, you have the same options to act.
Your action concludes once you stand, make 21 exactly, or go over 21. If you go over 21, also known as a bust, the game is over and your bet loses. For other results, your hand is compared to the dealer’s hand. If your hand is superior, you will win EVEN money on your bet. When you tie with the dealer, the bet is a PUSH, and you get your initial bet back.
There are a couple of other actions you can take depending on your hole cards:
Splitting Cards: If you are dealt a pair or two 10-point cards, you can split your cards into two hands. This is done by making a second bet. The two hole cards are split, and a second card is given to each. You will then play the hand as outlined above.
Double Down: If your hole cards total 9, 10 or 11, you can opt to double down. This means you will place a second bet and will get one additional card. Some games will allow you to double down on a soft 16, 17 or 18.
Note that certain rules of the game will vary depending on the company that created the game. For example, some games will only allow you to split pairs or double down on 11 only. Some games will require the dealer to stand on a soft 17. Make sure to look at the rules of your game before you start playing online blackjack for real money.
Blackjack Glossary Of Terms
Like most casino games, blackjack has its unique lingo. Here’s a quick glossary of blackjack terms that will help you speak the lingo in no time.
- Blackjack – The name for the best hand in the game. It’s a two-card 21, with an ace and a card ranked 10 (ten, jack, queen, king). Also called natural blackjack.
- Blackjack Payout – This is 1-to-1 for most winning hands. For a natural blackjack (or 2-card blackjack), the blackjack payout is 3-to-2.
- Bust – When your hand totals 22 or higher. A losing bet.
- Double Down – A way to double your bet when you have 11, a hard 9 or 10, or a soft 16, 17, or 18. When you double down, you will get one additional card only.
- EVEN Money – A winning bet equal to the size of your bet.
- First Base – The player who sits to the left of the dealer. This player receives the 1st card on the deal and is the 1st to act in a tournament.
- Hard – A hand containing a 10-point card. For example, J-7 would be a hard 17.
- Hit – Any time a player takes a card in blackjack.
- Hole Card – The card dealt face down to each hand. Once everyone makes their decisions, the hole cards can be revealed.
- Insurance – A side bet a player can make when the dealer shows an ace as their upcard. The bet wins if the dealer has a blackjack and pays 2 to 1.
- PUSH – When you tie with the dealer and get your initial bet back.
- Shoe – The box holding the cards to be dealt in a blackjack game. The number of decks used may change based on which version of blackjack you play.
- Soft – A hand containing an ace. For example, an A-6 would be a soft 17.
- Split – When you divide your initial two cards into two hands. Often, players will split a pair or two 10-point cards.
- Stand – When a player decides to play their hand without taking any additional cards.
- Surrender – To give up your hand after seeing your first two cards. You’ll get half of your bet back when you surrender.
Online Blackjack For Real Money Vs Live Dealer Blackjack
There are two ways you can play blackjack at a casino online. The first is the standard version of online blackjack for real money, where you open a table and begin playing as you would online slots, online roulette, or any other online casino game. The other way to play is at online casinos with live dealers.
Live dealer blackjack games are games that are live-streamed from gaming studios where a human dealer will deal with each hand. All betting and payouts are done automatically like standard blackjack online, but cards are dealt by a person instead of a random number generator.
