How to Play Blackjack for Beginners

Equally well known as Twenty-On, the goal to play Blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21.

When it comes to casino table games, Blackjack games is one of the most popular in the world. It can be an incredibly straightforward game to learn. If you’re completely new to the game, this guide will walk you through the basic strategy rules and basic decisions so you can sit at the table with confidence.

Keep in mind that rules can change from game to game, Blackjack games with unique variations such as Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack having their own added stipulations.  

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What is the Aim of Blackjack?

Perhaps the easiest thing to learn about Blackjack is the aim of each hand. Put simply, players are trying to get as close to 21 as possible, without going over (Known as busting). If the player gets closer to 21 than the dealer, they win. However, if they bust or are beaten by the dealer, the hand is marked as a loss.   

A successful hand is awarded at the rate of 1 to 1 unless the player is dealt a blackjack, which is usually awarded at 3 to 2.  

Card Values

First things first, you need to understand the card values in Blackjack. It’s simple, really.

• The Ace is a bit special, 1 or 11, whichever benefits your hand
• Every card from 2 to 10 has its face value.
• The face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are all worth 10 points each.

Learn The Different Actions

During each hand, there are four main actions that players can choose from. There are some advanced actions, too, which will be covered a little later on!  

• Hit – Ask the dealer for another card.  
• Stand – Choose to not receive any more cards.  
• Double Down – Double your bet and receive one more card only.  
• Split – If you have two identical cards, you can split them into two separate hands.  

A Step-by-Step Guide

The first step for playing Blackjack either online or at a casino, is to get some chips. When playing online, this can be done by making a deposit, while land-based casinos have a cage, or cashier where players can exchange cash for chips. It can often be done at the Blackjack table, too!  

Alright, now that you’ve got your chips, let’s learn Blackjack how to play with this step-by-step guide:  

1. The Bet – Place Your Bet At the beginning of each round, everyone places a wager in the betting circle.

2. The Deal – You get two cards face up while the dealer gets: one card face up (the upcard) and one card face down (the hole card)

3. Your Turn – Players can choose from any of the actions mentioned earlier. If you go over 21, your bet will be collected and marked as a loss. Hands that total 21 or less will remain on the table.  

4. The Dealer’s Turn – Once all players have had their turns, the dealer reveals their face-down card. The dealer must hit if their total is 16 or less and stand if it’s 17 or more.  

5. The Outcome – If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, your initial bet will be awarded at the rate of 1:1, or 3 to 2, should you have a Blackjack.  

Blackjack Rules to Remember While Playing;

Now, for those who are looking to get a bit more in depth on Blackjack, basic strategy could be hugely useful. Basic strategy is shown on a chart, and when players find where their hand meets the dealers, the optimal action is shown. This is based on millions of simulated hands, in order to find the action that offers the best probability of success.   

Here are a few Blackjack rules from basic strategy that players can implement into their game, should they wish:   

• Never split tens – Players that split tens can potentially turn a strong hand, valued at 20, into two weaker hands.  

• Always double on 11 – According to basic strategy, doubling down on 11 is beneficial unless the dealer is showing an ace.  

• Always stand on 17 or more – Should players have a hand valued at 17 or more, the chance of improving it without busting is very small.  

Rules for Advanced Players

As mentioned earlier, there are a few trickier aspects of Blackjack that more advanced players should learn.  

Insurance: What is it?  

In Blackjack, insurance is a side bet that you can make if the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. Players can wager up to half of their original bet, which is awarded at the rate of 2 to 1, should the dealer show a 10.  

Surrender

Surrendering can be used by a player to forfeit half of their stake size, with the other half being returned. Keep in mind that this rule is only available at a select number of tables, so checking in advance is key.  

Soft 17

Soft 17 is when you have an ace (which can be a 1 or 11) and a 6, totalling either 7 or 17. Some casinos require the dealer to hit on a soft 17, which can potentially change the whole dynamic of the game. Again, knowing whether or not this is an active rule at the table is crucial.  

Even Money

Finally, even money is another side bet that is offered to players that have a Blackjack, while the dealer is showing an ace. In this instance, players can choose to be awarded ‘Even Money’ or 1 to 1 for their Blackjack, regardless of whether the dealer has one too.   

If not, the Blackjack will be awarded at 3 to 2 if the dealer doesn’t have one, too. However, should the dealer flip up a ten, the bet will be marked as a ‘push’.  

Blackjack Tips for Beginners

Now that we’ve touched on some of the terms for more advanced players, below is a selection of tips for beginners. Before we delve into them, however, the most important thing to consider is always playing responsibly. Setting a limit and sticking to it is crucial to ensuring that players remain safe at the live blackjack table!  

Assume the Dealer has a 10

One strategy that some players opt for is to always assume that the dealer has a 10 as their face-down card. But why, you ask? Well, in Blackjack, face cards – that’s your Jacks, Queens, and Kings – and tens make up 30% of the deck. So, statistically speaking, there’s a good chance the dealer’s unseen card could be a 10.   

An example of using this strategy would be the dealer showing a 7, meaning that the player assumes they have 17 in total. Therefore, if the player has a total of 15, they would hit, in order to try and get closer to 21.  

Can I Use Card Counting to My Advantage?

‘Card counting’ in Blackjack is a strategy used to track the ratio of high-value cards to low-value cards left in the deck. Players use this information to adjust their bets based on the likelihood of receiving a high-value card that would give them a stronger hand.  

While this method requires practice and a keen mind, it allows players to potentially shift the odds in their favour during a game. However, it’s important to note that card counting is not a guaranteed way to win; it’s simply a strategy to improve your chances.  

Players should also know that card counting is not possible online, as each card is randomised through the use of Random Number Generation (RNG) to ensure a fair experience for everyone involved. With that being said, basic strategy can still be applied to some of our top online blackjack games such as Quantum Blackjack Plus and Free Bet Blackjack.  

Conclusion

Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to pick up, and once you understand the rules and learn Basic Strategy, you’ll be playing confidently in no time. Whether you’re trying the game online or at a live casino table, this beginner’s guide gives you the solid foundation you need to start winning more often and enjoying the experience.

Basic Strategy Blackjack Chart

As mentioned earlier, players can use a Blackjack basic strategy chart to possibly improve their chances while at the table. Of course, when learning how to play Blackjack online, players can reference this chart whenever they wish.  

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Play Blackjack