How to play Blackjack

Added: May 25, 2022

Last updated: April 18, 2023

Blackjack: How to play

Blackjack, a popular card game, challenges players to beat the dealer.

Since this is the objective, the game is played against the house and not against other players, making it less formidable for beginners than the game of poker.

Players can play blackjack with up to eight standard decks of playing cards.

Values of cards in blackjack

In blackjack, the suit is of no significance. All numbered cards from deuces to tens are taken at face value, irrespective of their suit. All picture cards, such as kings, queens, and jacks, are assigned a value of ten. The ace can be either one or 11, depending on the situation at the blackjack table.

For example, if a player gets a five and an ace, he/she would have a hand of value six or 16. While hands containing aces are known as soft hands, those without aces are known as hard hands.

If a player gets a ten and an ace, he/she has a hand of value 21. This is the highest hand in blackjack and is therefore called a ‘natural’ or a ‘blackjack.’ Players who get this hand automatically win the game and receive a payment of 3 – 2, provided the dealer also does not get blackjack.

If the dealer also gets a blackjack, the game ends up in a push. If only the dealer gets a blackjack, all players will lose the game.

Blackjack game options

how to play blackjackBlackjack is a game of several options, forcing players to decide quickly and wisely in a game.

While playing blackjack, players can do any of the following:
• Hit or receive another card.
• Stand or stop receiving any more cards.
• Double down or double their bets after receiving their first two cards.
• Split pairs and play two hands by placing another bet equal to their starting bet.
• Purchase insurance on the possibility that the dealer will get blackjack.
• Surrender a bad hand and get back half their bets (rules permitting).

Available in your country
#1
  • 🔥Unique VIP rewards
  • ✅Live support
  • 🤑Lucrative welcome bonus
Let's roll Review

To receive the welcome bonus, you must deposit at least $10 in the first 20 minutes after registering. The welcome offer does not have a validity period.

Bonus Info & Terms
#2
  • 🤑 Exciting welcome offer
  • 🤩 VIP Program
  • ⚡️ Crypto payments
Let's roll Review

Like every casino bonus, the Rizz Casino welcome pack has terms and conditions. First, you must deposit at least €20 to claim the bonus. However, this offer excludes Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, and Paysafecard deposits. Moreover, once the bonus is added to your account, you must fulfill a 20x wagering requirement (deposit and bonus amount) to withdraw winnings from the offer.

Bonus Info & Terms
#3
  • 🤑 Mouthwatering welcome bonus
  • ⚡️ Fast payouts
  • 📱 Mobile compatible site
Let's roll Review

After the fourth deposit, you can claim the 100 free spins offered by the casino at 20 free spins daily for 5 days. But as you may have expected, terms and conditions apply to claiming and using the Bombastic Casino welcome bonus. The minimum qualifying deposit amount you can make to claim this bonus is 10 USDT, with no promo code needed. Once the bonus is credited to your account, you have 14 days to use and complete the Bombastic Casino wagering requirements 30x.

Bonus Info & Terms
#4
  • ✅ Licensed and secure
  • ⚡️ Crypto payments
  • 📱 Mobile-friendly
Let's roll Review

That said, before claiming any of the Buffalo Casino welcome bonus offers, I suggest you read through the Buffalo Casino bonus terms and conditions. For instance, the minimum required deposit for the bonus is €10, and the maximum amount you can wager using bonus money is €5. Additionally, you must fulfill 40x Buffalo Casino wagering requirements for both bonus credits and free spins to keep the winnings.

Bonus Info & Terms
#5
  • 🤑Crypto-friendly
  • 📱Mobile app
  • 🚀Leaderboard feature
Let's roll Review

It has a wagering requirement of 60x and I have to say that the bonus terms and conditions are not fair, 60x is an above the standards, so be aware before you deposit for welcome bonus.

Bonus Info & Terms
#6
  • 🤑 Mouthwatering welcome bonus
  • 📱 Mobile compatible site
  • ⚡️ Fast payouts
Let's roll Review

Unlike some operators, you don't need a promo code to claim this welcome bonus. However, the minimum qualifying deposit set for the offer is $20 each for the first, second, and third deposit bonuses. Once you claim the bonus, you must also fulfill 40x Spinbet Casino wagering requirements to cash out winnings made from the offer.

Bonus Info & Terms
#7
  • ⚡️Fast deposit and withdrawal options
  • 🤑Mouthwatering bonuses
  • ✅24/7 live chat support
Let's roll Review

Note that the deposit + bonus amount is subject to a 35x wagering requirement for any winnings to be withdrawn. Ensure you complete the wagering requirement within the 30-day validity period. Slots contribute 100%, and table games and video poker contribute 10% to the wagering requirement.

Bonus Info & Terms
#8
  • 📱Top-notch mobile performance
  • 🤑Crypto gambling
  • 🎁Exciting bonuses
Let's roll Review

You need a minimum of $20 to claim the offers. Additionally, if you can deposit $100 or more for your first deposit, you can claim up to 100 free spins to play the Hot Lucky 7s slot.

Bonus Info & Terms
#9
  • ✅ Cryptocurrencies available
  • 🎁 Multiple Welcome Bonuses
  • ⚡️ Fast payouts
Let's roll Review

Nevertheless, note that the qualifying deposit for the Goldwin Casino welcome bonus is €20, and the free spins have no wagering requirements. However, your match bonus for the second and third deposits comes with 35x Goldwin Casino wagering requirements.

Bonus Info & Terms
#10
  • 🤑 No-deposit bonus
  • 🎁 Generous promotions
  • ⚡️ Progressive jackpots
Let's roll Review

The minimum deposit for the welcome offer is $50, which is a bit higher than most other online casinos I gotta admit. However, if you don’t mind the steep deposit, you can get a pretty decent starting bonus to try out what this casino has to offer.

Bonus Info & Terms

How to play blackjack

Players are required to place a bet to start the game. Once bets are placed, they will be dealt two face-up cards, while the dealer will receive a face-up card and a face-down card. Players should now examine the situation and stand, hit, double down, purchase insurance, surrender, or split.

If the player goes over 21, he automatically loses the bet.

Once all players have made their moves, the dealer will check his cards. The player wins if his/her hand is a blackjack or is stronger than the dealer’s hand.

If both player and dealer get blackjack or the same result, the game ends up in a push, and your bet(s) will be returned.

If the dealer gets a blackjack or a hand stronger than the player’s, the player will lose the game.

Blackjack payouts

The payout you will get on a winning bet is easy to calculate: multiply the base value by your total bet.

  • Blackjack: 3:2 payout. A $10 bet will pay out $15
  • Winning bet that is not a blackjack: 1:1 payout. A $10 bet will pay out $10
  • Insurance: 2:1 payout. A $10 bet will pay out $20
  • Push: you neither win nor lose. Your bet is returned.

Winning at blackjack

One of the most attractive and unique things about blackjack is that it is a game of strategy. Unlike nearly every other casino game, players can affect the game’s outcome by making the correct decisions.

Using the proper blackjack strategy, you can decrease the casino’s odds to 0,5%, making it the best casino game by far regarding possible player success.

You can always practice your blackjack strategy for free until you feel confident enough to play blackjack for real money. If you want that exciting brick and mortar casino feel at a blackjack table, try a live casino dealer game. Join other players and interact with real live blackjack dealers.

How to improve your odds:

Some rules impact your chances of winning at blackjack negatively. When you are seeking out an online blackjack table, try to find one without these rules:

6:5 Blackjack

This is the most important rule that you must avoid at all costs. A standard payout for a natural blackjack is 3:2. By offering a reduced payout of 6:5 for a natural blackjack, the house edge increases by a massive 1.39%.

Dealer must hit on soft 17

If the dealer is required to hit on a soft 17, that’s a negative rule variation for the player, increasing the house edge by 0.2%.

No doubling after splitting

If the player cannot double down after splitting, the house gains another 0.15% house edge.

Not doubling on any two cards

Many online casinos only allow a player to double down on a total of 9, 10, or 11. If the player is not allowed to double down on any two cards, the house gains another 0,2% edge.

No resplitting of aces 

Some casinos do not allow resplitting of aces, denying the players extra blackjack possibilities. Casinos that do this add another 0.5% to the house edge.

How to find the best blackjack casinos

The best way to locate the best blackjack casinos is to compare the different blackjack games’ rules. It is tough to find a game with all favourable rules for the player (single deck, doubling down on any cards, resplitting of aces allowed, dealer stands on soft 17).

So you must invest some time to explore and find out which games offer the lowest house edge to the player.

Most online casinos have multiple blackjack variations, making it easy to compare.

Subscribe to our newsletter


    By subscribing to our newsletter you agree to receive emails from us.