Blackjack is one of the most popular games at our online casino and casinos worldwide. Known for its fast pace, straightforward rules, and a mix of strategy and luck, blackjack has captivated players for generations.
It is typically the table game in which you have the best chance of winning in comparison to games such as roulette. It also offers a far shorter learning curve than games like craps. Whether you’re sitting at a felt table in Las Vegas or playing with a live dealer from your living room, the fundamental way the game is played remains largely the same.
We’ve put together a simple guide to teach you how to play blackjack. You’ll discover how to win, how you might lose, and the other bets you can make. This guide is perfect for beginners or those who want to polish their skills before going to the tables.
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a casino game where the dealers play against one or more players. It is also referred to as ’21’. The objective is to achieve a higher hand than the dealer without surpassing 21. The objective is simple, but the nuances of when to hit, stand, split, or double render blackjack half skill and half luck.
Every round starts with the player placing bets. The dealer deals two cards to all players and two cards to themselves. One of the dealer’s cards is usually face up (the “upcard”) and one is face down (the “hole card”). Players make their decisions based on this incomplete information. The most desirable hand is a blackjack; an Ace and a card valued at 10, as the initial two cards. In most conventional games, this pays 3:2. All other winning hands pay 1:1.
Understanding Card Values in Blackjack
To play blackjack effectively, you need to know the values of the cards. Cards 2 through 10 are worth their value. The Jack, Queen, and King (‘Face cards’) are also worth 10. The Ace is either one or 11, whichever is most beneficial to your hand. For example, if you hold a seven and an ace, your hand may be either eight or 18. This will depend on whether or not you want to hit and receive another card. We’ll discuss strategies for such cases later!
How to Win in Blackjack
Winning at blackjack involves having a hand higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21. There are several scenarios in which you can win:
- You get a Blackjack: An Ace and a 10-valued card dealt as your first two cards, otherwise known as a natural blackjack, is the strongest possible hand. You win right away and typically receive a 3:2 payout, unless the dealer also has a blackjack.
- You Hit 21 or Less and the Dealer Busts: One of the most common ways to win is by letting the dealer make a mistake. If you play conservatively and the dealer ends up with a total over 21, you win automatically, even if your hand is lower than 21.
- You Reach 21 or Less, and the Dealer Has Fewer: If your total is 20 and the dealer is left with 19, you have won. Here, your choices worked in your favour by beating the dealer without going bust. This is why it is important to learn about strategy.
- The Dealer Has a Lower Total: Most blackjack tables have a rule that dealers have to stick once they hit 17 or more. That means you need the dealer to bust if you stand on 16 or less.
How You Can Lose in Blackjack
Understanding how losses occur is just as important as knowing how to win. Here are the most common ways a round of blackjack can end in defeat:
- You Bust: If your hand goes over 21, you lose automatically, regardless of the dealer’s final hand. This is why having a basic strategy is so important.
- The Dealer Has a Higher Total: If you stand on a hand worth 18 and the dealer ends up with 19 or more, you lose your bet. Nobody busted, but the dealer has a higher total than yours.
- Dealer Gets a Blackjack: If you don’t have a blackjack and the dealer does, you lose immediately, no matter how strong your hand might otherwise be.
- You Tie (Push) but Don’t Win: Although a tie isn’t technically a loss, it means you don’t win anything. If you and the dealer have the same total (excluding blackjack), the result is a push, and your original bet is returned.
Dealer Rules and Payouts
In blackjack, the dealer must follow strict rules regarding how they play their hand:
- The dealer must hit until they reach at least 17.
- Most casinos require the dealer to stand on all 17s, including a “soft 17” (Ace + 6).
- The dealer cannot split, double, or make any decisions like the player.
Blackjack Terminology
Most casino table games have specific words and phrases you will come across, regardless of whether you are playing online or in a live casino. In learning how to play roulette, there are words and phrases that you must master, and blackjack is no exception. It’s important to know the words and phrases because a single misspoken word or misunderstanding could result in your hand being wasted. Let us run through some blackjack terminology.
- Hit: Choosing to hit means you’re requesting another card. You can continue hitting as long as your total is under 21. However, each hit increases the risk of busting.
- Stand: If you’re satisfied with your hand or fear that another card might push you over 21, you can stand. This means you keep your current total and end your turn.
- Split: When your initial two cards are of the same number/face, e.g, two eights, you have the option to split them into two separate hands. You place a second bet equal to your original, and each new hand gets an additional card. From here, you play each hand independently.
- Double Down: Doubling down is one of the most exciting moves in blackjack. You double your original bet in exchange for receiving just one more card. This is usually done when your initial hand totals 9, 10, or 11, and the dealer has a weak up card.
- House Edge: This is a broader term that applies to all casinos. The house edge is the advantage in favour of the casino. Blackjack generally has the lowest house edge of any table game, potentially as low as 0.5% depending on the number of decks. The house edge of side bets will be a lot higher, but more on those later.
Side Bets in Blackjack
There are several side bets you can make when playing blackjack. These will differ depending on the casino you use, but they can all add extra excitement and increased payouts. These wagers are optional, meaning they are placed alongside the main bet on your hand. They usually work around specific combinations of cards in your hand. Here are some of the most popular.
Perfect Pairs
A Perfect Pair in blackjack is a side bet that wins if your first two cards are a pair. There are several payouts on this side bet according to how similar the two cards are. The closer the similarity, the higher the payout.
- Perfect Pair: Same number/face and suit. This will often payout at 25/1
- Colored Pair: Same number/face and colour, different suits (e.g seven of hearts and seven of diamonds). This will typically pay 12/1
- Mixed Pair: Same number/face, different colours and suits (e.g., 10 of hearts and 10 of spades). This pays at 6/1.
21+3
21+3 is a popular side bet in blackjack that combines elements of blackjack and poker. It’s based on whether your first two cards plus the dealer’s upcard form a strong three-card poker hand. There are four different combinations with differing payouts.
- Flush: Your two cards and the dealer’s upcard are all the same suit, but not in sequence. For example, you are dealt the three and seven of clubs, and the dealer’s upcard is the king of clubs. This typically pays out 5/1.
- Straight: Your two cards plus the dealer’s upcard form three consecutive card values, regardless of suit. For example, you are dealt a five of hearts, a six of spades, and the dealer’s upcard is the seven of clubs. This will often award a payout worth10/1.
- Three of a Kind: Your two cards and the dealer’s upcard are all the same number/face in different suits. For example, you are dealt the four of hearts and four of clubs, and the dealer’s upcard is the four of diamonds. This is worth 30/1.
- Straight Flush: The same as a straight, but your two cards and the dealer’s upcard are all the same suit. This can pay as much as 40/1.
- Suited Three of a Kind: This is the holy grail of 21+3. Your two cards and the dealer’s upcard are the same number/face, and suit. This can pay as much as 100/1.
Insurance
An insurance bet is a way to cover your hand if the dealer’s upcard is an ace. If the dealer has a blackjack, you will win at odds of 2/1. This option is offered when the dealer’s up card is an Ace. Unlike most side bets, this is only placed after the hand has started.
Royal Match
A royal match is split between two possibilities: an easy match and a royal match. An easy match is when your first two cards are the same suit (e.g three and six of diamonds). This pays out 2.5/1. A royal match is when your first two cards are the king and queen of the same suit. This pays out 25/1.
Lucky Ladies
You win this side bet if your initial hand totals 20. The payouts increase based on the specific combination, with a maximum payout if you are dealt two Queen of Hearts and the dealer has blackjack. Lucky Ladies has a huge 25% house edge, more than any other side bet, but is offset by the potential of gigantic payouts.
- Unsuited 20 – 4/1
- Suited 20 – 10/1
- Matched 20 (same number/face and suit) – 25/1
- Two Queen of Hearts – 200/1
- Two Queens of Hearts and the dealer has blackjack – 1000/1
Blackjack Strategy
To maximise your chances in blackjack, use a strategy based on probability. This tells you the best action based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Using a basic strategy doesn’t guarantee you’ll win every hand, but it will ensure you lose less over time. Following probability when playing reduces the house edge compared to if you rely on guesswork. Stick to it, and you’ll maximise your chances.
- Always hit on 11 or less: There’s no way to bust on a hand that totals 11 or less, so it is always safe to hit.
- Hit on 12–16 when the dealer shows 7 through Ace: The dealer likely has a strong hand when showing seven through Ace (remember, most cards are 10-value). Your best chance is to improve your weak hand, even at the risk of busting.
- Stand on 12–16 when the dealer shows 2 through 6: It is generally good to stand on 12-16 when the dealer shows 2-6 because they are more likely to bust. This is because they must hit until reaching 17. Let the dealer take the risk instead of you.
- Always split Aces and 8s: Two Aces give you two chances at 21. Splitting eights breaks up a terrible hand (16) and gives you two chances at improving.
- Utilise side bets sparingly: Side bets are fun ways to increase the excitement, but not the best way to make bank. Continuously making high-value side bets will see you lose money with the house edge higher than your normal hand.
Best Online Casino Games
You can play blackjack online at your own pace or try one of the many live tables at our casino. Below are some of our favourite blackjack tables to play at our casino.
Live Casino
Live casino games offer a unique blend of convenience and realism that sets them apart from traditional online gambling. It provides an immersive experience with real human dealers, either from studios or real casino floors. The authentic atmosphere replicates the feeling of being in a Vegas casino, complete with the sights and sounds of a real gaming environment.
All Bets Blackjack
All bets blackjack is the same as normal blackjack, but all side bets are on the table. That means you can bet on up to six side bets in a single hand. This game is a great way to add some excitement to your game, but make sure to wager on side bets sparingly and manage your bankroll.
Lightning Blackjack
Lightning Blackjack is one of the most popular live games at our online casino. It is the same as classic blackjack, but lightning rounds multiply the payouts of consecutive hands. Each player pays a fee to unlock the opportunity for a significant multiplier boost. This guarantees that every winning hand receives an enhanced payout, ranging from 2x to 25x. After the Lightning Fee is paid, the multiplier is stored and automatically applied to any win in the following round.
Conclusion
Blackjack is an exciting and quick table game that offers some of the best chances to win in a casino. There is luck involved in all card games, but blackjack differs as the players can largely control their fate. The choices they make can determine whether they win or lose in a round. Learning how to play blackjack can transform you from a novice to a pro at the table.
Now that you know how to play blackjack, from the easy fundamentals to the more nuanced details, you’re all set to make your first wager with self-assurance. Remember to stick to your budget, play wisely, and enjoy yourself.
