Blackjack Rules
Blackjack rules are easy to understand and the only way to truly comprehend how to play this most classic of all casino card games is to start playing it as soon as possible. If you’ve never actually learned how to play 21 or followed blackjack rules playing with a live dealer, then relax and follow this guide. Once you have a general understanding of how the dealer deals and what they will deal with; what kind of bets and wagers you can make; what do to with split aces, etc, you’ll find your own strategy for winning start to form. We are among the best online casinos made for US players who love to win big playing their favourite casino games. All of our games are available to play online 24/7 and if you’re not sure how to play or you’d like a quick refresher before you start making wagers, then you can load games like blackjack, craps, and roulette in ‘Practice Mode’ first.
Loading any of our Las Vegas greats in ‘Practice Mode’ allows you not only to finely tune your own strategy before you start winning real money off your hands but also helps you understand the possible variation that you’re playing and any blackjack tips you should know before you start. Blackjack rules are generally the same regardless of the variation that you’re playing but there will be slight differences between what the dealer does depend on the variation that you’re playing. We’ll go into some more detail about variations further down.
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What are the rules of blackjack?
Blackjack is that casino game that everybody has probably heard of even if they never actually learned how to play blackjack. While classic blackjack online is easy to follow and understand, what you probably don’t know is that there are more versions of this game available to play at an online casino. These variations are often even more exciting than the standard versions, offer you better odds, and have a house edge so thin you can barely see it. Here we’ll take you through the basic blackjack rules and how you can win real money on each of the versions offered online thanks to Slots.lv.
To start with, the object of any version of blackjack is to have a hand of cards that equals 21 points. There are a few different ways you can arrive at this hand and we’ll get to those a bit later but for now, all you need to know is that a winning hand equals 21, a losing hand equals more than 21. Blackjack is traditionally played with a standard 52-card deck – or a few of them, depending on the version that you’re playing – and the point value of the cards are as follows: face cards equal 10 points, an ace is worth either 1 point or 11, all other cards are worth their face value. “Blackjack” is to achieve a 2-card hand that equals 21 points. The player plays against the dealer who is also trying to achieve 21 points on their own hand. A hand exceeding 21 is an automatic loss.
So, that’s basically how to play 21. Now for the different versions that are actually available when you play blackjack online. We offer our players a range of variations to choose from which include Single Deck Blackjack and Double Deck Blackjack (which significantly reduces the house edge). Most live casino venues who offer blackjack tables do not offer players the chance to play with a single deck of cards. An online casino like Slots.lv will often counter the loss of some of the house edge they lose in these variations by offering a 6-5 payout for landing a blackjack.
When we’re talking blackjack rules and variations, there are generally two kinds of single deck options that you can play with us: The New Blackjack and 21 Blackjack Classic. The first version is a bit slicker and is made specifically for playing online. It offers players a much clearer gaming interface and only buttons when you need them.
Then there’s also European Blackjack which restricts doubling to hard totals of 9 to 11 and the dealer will stand soft on 17. Like European Roulette, you’ll often find international variations of classic casino games. We also offer American Roulette as well as Vegas three card rummy and Pai Gow Poker to keep card game enthusiasts very happy and content switching between their favourite card games. Don’t forget to stop by our video poker options too. This fun and exciting slot game merges poker strategy and the fun of the reels. Keno slots will also keep you entertained in fast-paced lottery style.
In Perfect Pairs, another variation on traditional Blackjack, there is the ability to make a side bet which will pay out 25-1 when you land any pair on your initial 2 card hand. And, finally, there is a popular version called Zappit Blackjack which actually eliminates hands of 15, 16, and 17 with the use of the ‘zap’ button. Because of the decreased house edge, dealer scores of 22 in Zappit Blackjack do not mean the dealer busts and results in a push instead. A push is a tie between you and the dealer and if the hand results in a push then your bet is returned.
Not a lot of that will mean much unless you are already familiar with blackjack strategy so now we’ll show you a bit about how to win at blackjack, what a hole card is and why card counting became so popular in the 1960s.
At the start of any of the games, you will be asked to place your bet. Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal you two cards, usually face up but it depends on the game, and take two for themselves. What you want to achieve straight away is blackjack which is two cards totaling 21 points. If you don’t have 21 yet, then you have some options. The first option to take another card or, as it’s also known, to ask the dealer to hit you. If you hit on your hand and your new card takes you over 21 then you have busted or lost the hand.
You can also choose to stand, which is to receive no more cards and wait to see if the current total you have so far beats what the dealer has. If you’re not able to achieve 21 points, then the hand that is closest to 21 will win. In some versions of our blackjack games, the dealer is required to stand on a soft hand of 17. A soft hand is a hand is when the dealer has an ace or you have ace. It’s called ‘soft’ because an ace can have a value or either 11 or 1 point, depending on what else has been drawn.
To double down is to double your original bet and take only one more card. The rules about doubling down differ between games so ensure that you’re aware of the rules before you start playing. For example, doubling in European Blackjack is restricted to only hard totals of 9 to 11. A hard total is a hand not containing an ace.
There is also the split. Splitting can occur when you draw two cards of equal value and it's basically doubling your chances of achieving blackjack by separating your first draw into two draws. You put another bet on the table and the dealer will split your two cards and deal you a new one on the first hand. You play that hand out to win or bust and then the dealer switches to the second hand and you play that out as you normally would. Splitting aces results in only one other card drawn on that hand. Doubling after splitting is not always permitted at every casino but there will be a note about whether double splitting is accepted before you start to play online. Pay close attention to whether it’s offered as it can be a big advantage to the player.
Finally, there is the early surrender which stops the hand and returns half of your original bet.
That’s essentially the blackjack rules that you need to know to get you started. Card counters – and, this isn’t an easy thing to do – will bet strategically based on the cards that are visible and the hole cards, the ones that aren’t visible. The biggest mistake new players make is thinking that card counting is easy. It’s not easy and you have to be willing and able to bankroll a significant number of hands for your strategy to actually payout so players beware.
Learn how to play 21 and fine-tune you’re understanding of the blackjack rules before you start betting online at Slots.lv. To ensure we keep our players always entertained, don’t forget to check out our other playing options including slots real money while you’re playing blackjack real money.
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