Equally well known as Twenty-One. The rules are simple, the play is thrilling, and there is opportunity for high strategy. In fact, for the expert player who mathematically plays a perfect game and is able to count cards, the odds are sometimes in that player’s favor to win.
But even for the casual participant who plays a reasonably good game, the casino odds are less, making Blackjack one of the most attractive casino games for the player. While the popularity of Blackjack dates from World War I, its roots go back to the 1760s in France, where it is called Vingt-et-Un (French for 21). Today, Blackjack is the one card game that can be found in every American gambling casino. As a popular home game, it is played with slightly different rules. In the casino version, the house is the dealer (a “permanent bank”). In casino play, the dealer remains standing, and the players are seated. The dealer is in charge of running all aspects of the game, from shuffling and dealing the cards to handling all bets. In the home game, all of the players have the opportunity to be the dealer (a “changing bank”).
THE PACK
The standard 52-card pack is used, but in most casinos several decks of cards are shuffled together. The six-deck game (312 cards) is the most popular. In addition, the dealer uses a blank plastic card, which is never dealt, but is placed toward the bottom of the pack to indicate when it will be time for the cards to be reshuffled. When four or more decks are used, they are dealt from a shoe (a box that allows the dealer to remove cards one at a time, face down, without actually holding one or more packs).
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Each participant attempts to beat the dealer by getting a count as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21.
CARD VALUES/SCORING
It is up to each individual player if an ace is worth 1 or 11. Face cards are 10 and any other card is its pip value.
THE PLAY
The player to the left goes first and must decide whether to “stand” (not ask for another card) or “hit” (ask for another card in an attempt to get closer to a count of 21, or even hit 21 exactly). Thus, a player may stand on the two cards originally dealt to them, or they may ask the dealer for additional cards, one at a time, until deciding to stand on the total (if it is 21 or under), or goes “bust” (if it is over 21). In the latter case, the player loses and the dealer collects the bet wagered. The dealer then turns to the next player to their left and serves them in the same manner.
The combination of an ace with a card other than a ten-card is known as a “soft hand,” because the player can count the ace as a 1 or 11, and either draw cards or not. For example with a “soft 17” (an ace and a 6), the total is 7 or 17. While a count of 17 is a good hand, the player may wish to draw for a higher total. If the draw creates a bust hand by counting the ace as an 11, the player simply counts the ace as a 1 and continues playing by standing or “hitting” (asking the dealer for additional cards, one at a time).
THE DEALER’S PLAY
When the dealer has served every player, the dealers face-down card is turned up. If the total is 17 or more, it must stand. If the total is 16 or under, they must take a card. The dealer must continue to take cards until the total is 17 or more, at which point the dealer must stand. If the dealer has an ace, and counting it as 11 would bring the total to 17 or more (but not over 21), the dealer must count the ace as 11 and stand. The dealer’s decisions, then, are automatic on all plays, whereas the player always has the option of taking one or more cards.
SIGNALING INTENTIONS
When a player’s turn comes, they can say “Hit” or can signal for a card by scratching the table with a finger or two in a motion toward themselves, or they can wave their hand in the same motion that would say to someone “Come here!” When the player decides to stand, they can say “Stand” or “No more,” or can signal this intention by moving their hand sideways, palm down and just above the table.
SPLITTING PAIRS
If a player’s first two cards are of the same denomination, such as two jacks or two sixes, they may choose to treat them as two separate hands when their turn comes around. The amount of the original bet then goes on one of the cards, and an equal amount must be placed as a bet on the other card. The player first plays the hand to their left by standing or hitting one or more times; only then is the hand to the right played. The two hands are thus treated separately, and the dealer settles with each on its own merits. With a pair of aces, the player is given one card for each ace and may not draw again. Also, if a ten-card is dealt to one of these aces, the payoff is equal to the bet (not one and one-half to one, as with a blackjack at any other time).
DOUBLING DOWN
Another option open to the player is doubling their bet when the original two cards dealt a total 9, 10, or 11. When the player’s turn comes, they place a bet equal to the original bet, and the dealer gives the player just one card, which is placed face down and is not turned up until the bets are settled at the end of the hand. With two fives, the player may split a pair, double down, or just play the hand in a regular way. Note that the dealer does not have the option of splitting or doubling down.
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GLOSSARY OF COMMON BLACKJACK TERMS
Whether you choose to play classic blackjack or one of the latest live dealer variations, there are certain common terms that you will need to know in order to enjoy your game to its full potential. The following lists some of the most common blackjack terms used;
- Bet: A bet is the same as a wager and it can be achieved by selecting the number of chips you wish to play for and placing them on the table in front of you.
- Blackjack tournament: Compete against other players for top prizes.
- Basic Blackjack strategy: a basic strategy that helps you to decide the appropriate response to the dealer’s face-up card compared to your initial two-card hand.
- Card counting: A technique used to determine the overall value of a deck of cards.
- Double down: If you believe you have a strong hand you can double your bet and get an additional card.
- Hit: Indicates to the dealer that you wish to receive an additional card (not to be confused with doubling down).
- Insurance: This is a type of side bet based on the assumption that the dealer has a blackjack. Insurance pays 2:1 and is available when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace.
- Stand: Indicates to the dealer that you do not wish to receive any additional cards.
- Split: An option allowing you to split pairs such as 8’s or aces. This creates two separate bets, each requiring a separate wager.
- Free play: Select blackjack games that are free to play and do not require real money in order to enjoy them.
The different variants for Live blackjack
Live blackjack is very popular with the many different online casino providers. This popular card game is offered in the live version in many different versions. If you want to use a live blackjack online casino, you must first familiarize yourself with the differences between the individual variants. Therefore, we have dealt with the common online blackjack variants in more detail.
The classic live blackjack
The classic blackjack is the basis of this famous card game. This variant is very widespread and is made available to customers in numerous online casinos. Live blackjack is played at a classic Blackjack table. In this variant, a deck with a total of 52 cards is created. Players win a round if they have more points than the live dealer blackjack at the end of the game. However, the maximum number of 21 points may not be exceeded. If the live dealer or player has more than 21 points, the round is automatically lost.
Party Blackjack
In terms of rules, the Party Blackjack can be compared to the classic live blackjack online. Interestingly, there are two or three live dealers in this version of the game. However, the player’s jersey only ever rounds against a single live dealer. In a Blackjack Live Casino, this variant is particularly widespread in addition to the classic blackjack.
The Pre Decision Blackjack
This version for live blackjack impresses with its particularly high game speed. When it is the first player’s turn in a round, the other players can also decide. The Blackjack players do not have to wait until it is their own turn. The high speed in this online blackjack variant creates particularly exciting incentives.
The VIP Blackjack
VIP Blackjack is a special variant that can be compared to the classic blackjack. However, with this version, the players can bet significantly higher—the table limits with the VIP Blackjack appeal, particularly to high rollers in an online casino. Many online casino providers only allow participation in the VIP Blackjack if the customers are also members of the respective VIP club on the website.
The Atlantic City Live blackjack
This variant has some differences from the classic blackjack. As soon as a player has received his first two cards from the live dealer, he has the opportunity to exit the round directly. This choice, however, is not available for the classic blackjack game.
The best payment methods in a live blackjack casino
Suppose you want to register at an online casino to compete in a live dealer blackjack game, first. In that case, you should familiarize yourself with the available payment methods. Live games can only be played for real money if customers have previously deposited into their casino account. PayPal isn’t available anymore for online casino operators as a payment tool. Nevertheless, players have the opportunity to use many secure and reputable payment methods.
- Skrill and Neteller: These are classic e-wallet providers that can make both deposits and withdrawals. Deposits are posted within a few seconds, and withdrawals are in most cases within 24 hours. However, if you want to use Skrill and Neteller in an online casino, in that case, you should consider that these e-wallet providers cannot activate many bonus promotions.
- Visa and Mastercard: Various providers can use Visa and Mastercard credit cards for both deposits and withdrawals. However, players should first check carefully whether there are any charges for using a credit card.
- Paysafecard: With the Paysafecard, players in an online casino have the opportunity to make quick and uncomplicated deposits. The customers have to enter the respective code from the Paysafecard in their casino account, and the corresponding amount is booked directly.
