Casinos throughout the world offer blackjack as a popular card game. Its popularity is primarily due to its ease to play and is known for its high odds. It is traditionally played with one, two, four, six, or eight decks of cards. If you are good at counting cards, this game is for you. You should read on to learn more about Blackjack and try it at one of the top online casinos we recommend.

Blackjack Available Games:

Blackjack has evolved over time. Most of the Blackjack variations come from America and Europe. Each variant differs primarily in terms of the number of decks used. Furthermore, there are differences in betting types, split allowances and dealer limitations.

• VIP Blackjack

Increasing your stakes will result in even bigger profits. Play with six 52-card decks and across three seats.

• Blackjack (Three-seat)

Flagship Blackjack game to play with six 52-card decks and across three seats.  

• Classic Blackjack

Played using eight 52-card decks in which the dealer receives no hole card and must hit on Soft 17 (a hand with an ace total of either seven or 17).  

• Premium Blackjack

Premium Blackjack plays with four 52-card decks, no hole cards, and a Soft 17 dealer standing. If you intend to stand on a two-card hand, double down. Mobile app users can also play Blackjack multiplayer games and Roulette online.

 

Blackjack Overview:

Card Values and Strategy (Hard & Soft Hands)

Blackjack uses normal card values. The cards 2-10 have a value of two to ten. A jack, queen, and king are worth ten, and an ace is worth one or eleven.

• Hard hand: A pair of two cards without an ace. It is called a hard hand since the total of both cards includes the risk of a bust. Although technically, a two and three pair (equaling five) is a hard hand, it is considered a soft hand due to the absence of any risk of busting.
• Soft hand: A pair of cards with an ace in them. There is no risk associated with a soft hand regardless of what card is dealt next. One of the highest soft hands is a nine and an ace (equaling 10 or 20).

Blackjack Outcome Probability

Online gaming has discussed blackjack probability since its inception. There are so many variations in Blackjack, contributing to its popularity. Fans flock to casinos and online casinos every day because it's unpredictable. When playing Blackjack, most people cannot mentally calculate the odds of any outcome or hand. Simpler calculations can be made; for example, 4/52 is the probability of your first card being an ace, and 16/51 is for your second card. Assuming the equation was more complicated, then the probability of you receiving Blackjack with an ace first would be:

 (4/52)*(16/51) = 64/2652 = 0.024 = 1 in 41.6

There are millions of possible blackjack odds and probability equations. Probabilities get more complex when you play with more decks.

Blackjack Rules

There is no more exciting or simpler casino card game than Blackjack. Over the twentieth century, the game has grown in popularity to become one of the most played casino games. Become familiar with the blackjack rules before you play the tables and try to win big. Here are some more helpful tips and advice.

Blackjack rules are easy to learn. Table rules and betting options may vary depending on the variant you are playing. Blackjack game types include several single-player and multi-player versions.

Guidelines for Playing

In every game of Blackjack, players place their bets in their respective boxes. There is a clear description of the minimum and maximum stakes on each table, and players can select the appropriate bet size by clicking the chip icon. Upon placing all wagers, the players are dealt two cards face-up in front of their boxes, while the dealer is dealt either one card (European style) or two cards (Atlantic City style), depending on the variant. Every blackjack hand aims to beat the dealer. If you wish to accomplish this, your hand must score higher than the dealer's hand yet not exceed 21. If the dealer's hand exceeds 21, you can win by having a score lower than 22. A hand with a total value of 22 or more is commonly known as 'busting,' and any money staked will be forfeited.

To increase the value of your hand(s), draw cards when prompted. The dealer's hand will be completed once you have finished drawing cards. Blackjack variants have different rules regarding how they do this. You will be able to make strategic decisions on each hand if you understand the rules of each variant of Blackjack.

Obviously, 'Blackjack' is the best hand in Blackjack. It consists of an ace and any card valued at ten, including any jack, queen, king or ten, and pays more than any other combination (up to 3:2 on your wager). You can't beat Blackjack unless you're dealt two first cards. If the dealer also has a Blackjack, One can tie the game.

All tens, jacks, queens, and kings have a value of ten in Blackjack. Aces are valued at one or eleven (you may choose the value you want). A combination of an ace and a four, for example, can yield either a five or a fifteen. For example, 15 would be a 'soft 15' since an ace valued at 11 is often referred to as a 'soft' total. With a soft hand, players can ask for an extra card, hit, or double up without the risk of busting. Despite this, having a soft hand does not guarantee it will improve after you hit.

In Blackjack, winning hands are usually paid one-to-one (1:1), also called evens or even money. Consequently, if you wager 20 chips and win, you will receive 20 chips in profit. Play a game variant that pays 3:2, and if the dealer does not also get dealt Blackjack, you will receive 30 chips in profit on top of your original wager.

A 'push' occurs whenever your hand ties with the dealer. If this happens, your wager will be returned. However, additional funds will not be awarded. You will forfeit your wager if you lose a hand. Despite this general rule, there is an exception, which will be outlined below and on each variant's rules page.

You will receive your payout once the dealer completes his or her hand. The rules of how the dealer plays and pays to vary from variant to variant, so it's important to read each variant's rules carefully. In most variants, there will be a difference in whether or not the dealer draws cards on a soft 17. The dealer will sometimes be required to stand on a soft 17, while in other situations, he will be needed to hit. Whenever there is a total of 16 or less in any Blackjack game, the dealer will hit.

 

What are the rules for splitting, gambling, and surrendering?

A Blackjack player's actions are not limited to drawing cards or sticking with the initial hand. There may be several additional options available to you in certain circumstances. Depending on your initial two cards, there are a variety of options available to you. Here are some options to consider:

Splitting

If you split one hand into two, you will have a greater chance of winning. You can place a second wager, equal to the initial wager, whenever you split a hand. The following situations can lead to splitting:

1. There are two cards dealt to you that are of equal rank (king-ten, six-six, and so on). Each hand is played independently and will win, lose, or push according to its merits.
2. Blackjack variants allow you to split equal cards multiple times.

Additionally, there are restrictions on splitting aces. Most blackjack variants limit the number of cards you can draw to each of your new hands if you split two aces, which limits your ability to double down, split, hit, or split again.

Doubling Down

It is possible to double your initial wager if certain conditions are met:

• If you wish to improve your hand, you can add another wager (equal to the starting bet) following the first two cards.
• If you receive two first cards, you can double down in any of the Blackjack games.

After splitting, some variations of the game allow you to double down. It is also important to consider the following factors:

• If you have split a hand into two or more hands, you may have the opportunity to double down. By doing this, you will place a new bet on the table.
• You may double down following a split according to the same rules as if you had doubled down prior to splitting.

Surrender

If you feel your hand is bound to lose to the dealer, you can surrender and take back 50% of your original wager if the variant you are playing allows it.

 

Blackjack Pros and Cons:

But, online Blackjack is a bit of a mixed game when it gets compared to playing in a land-based casino. It has pros and cons, and now we will look at them. 

Pros:

• It is faster. Blackjack online is the best choice if you want plenty of action. No waiting is required when playing online Blackjack. There is no shuffle waiting. Computer's RNG deals hand after hand. Land casinos average 50 to 60 hands per hour at a full table. Online casinos can deal 200 hands per hour of Blackjack!
• Signup bonuses. Online casinos give you free money when you first make a deposit. First deposits may be matched 100% up to $1,000 with these bonuses. You get rewards and cashback in land casinos, but they do not usually give you stacks of free chips.
• Some casinos offer the best rules to their players. Playing single-deck Blackjack online is easy and very beneficial for players. Online casinos never offer a 6:5 blackjack payout. 

Cons:

• Fast means a higher loss rate per hour. You are more likely to lose if you play more games. Consequently, online Blackjack for an hour has a higher loss rate than Blackjack at a land-based casino. 
• Bonuses are not always free-reign. They come with conditions. The wagering requirements for bonuses prevent you from getting an edge. Before you can cash out, you must wager your deposit and bonus at least once. 
• Techniques cannot give you an edge. You cannot use play techniques like card counting or shuffle tracking as you are not physically present. You can use these techniques with an out-of-hand deck. Strategy and luck are the only options.

 

FAQs

What is a Split in Blackjack?

Players may place an additional bet equal to the original wager when their first two cards are of the same rank (e.g., A-A or jack-ten), creating two separate hands. It is called a Split. A player's ability to split depends on the variant of Blackjack they are playing. You may receive only one additional card per ace if you split an ace.

In Blackjack, how do I double down?

Bets can be placed in the same amount as the original wager after receiving two cards. The player then receives precisely one more card. In this case, it is known as 'Double Down'.

What is Insurance in Blackjack?

Players get an optional wager if the dealer shows an ace as their first card. It is known as 'Insurance'. A player can place an insurance bet up to 50% of their original bet. The insurance bet wins if the dealer receives a 10-value card as his second card. There is a 2:1 payout on insurance bets.

What is the difference between a soft 17 and a hard 17 in Blackjack?

In the case of an ace valued at eleven, the hand is known as a soft hand. For example, a hand with a six and an ace could be a soft 17. On the hard hand, there is no ace valued at eleven. Hence, a hard 17 could be composed of a ten and a seven.