In this article, we will consider the main goals and rules, scoring and possible actions of players. We will also discuss game versions and present blackjack scheme to let you make the best decisions when you sit at a blackjack table. Find out how to increase your chances to win and minimize the risks.
Blackjack Goal
The goal of the game is to draw cards that total as much as possible, perfectly – 21, but don’t exceed this threshold. Everyone plays against the dealer, who also tries to get 21 points or the number of points close to 21.
Scoring
- Number cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value. For example, a 5 is worth 5 points.
- Jack, Queen, and King are worth 10 points each.
- An Ace may be worth 1 or 11 points, depending on what is better for a player. For example, a combination of an ace and a 6 can be worth both 7 and 17 points, depending on the situation.
Blackjack Rules
At the game’s beginning, every player and a dealer are dealt cards. Then players try to collect 21 points or close to that. After they stop (“stand”), players’ and dealers’ hands are revealed. In case of a draw, a player takes their bet back but doesn’t win.
Actions of Players
- Get an additional card (“Hit”) to get more points.
- Take no more cards (“Stand”), keep the current hand.
- Double the bet (“Double Down”) and get only one additional card.
- Split the pare (“Split”), if you have two cards worth the same number of points; thus, you get two separate hands, each with its own bet.
Blackjack Dealer Rules
In American Blackjack, a dealer must check their face-down card to see if they have blackjack, if their face-up card is an ace or a card worth 10 points. In European Blackjack, a dealer continues to deal the cards after all players have acted. A dealer gets cards until they reach 17 points or more.
Win or loss
You win if you score more points than a dealer, or if a dealer gets more points than 21. You lose if you get more points than 21 or a dealer has more points.
Push
If you and a dealer have the same number of points, which doesn’t exceed 21, it’s a push. In this case, a player gets their bet back.
Extra rules
Sometimes, extra rules are used:
- Insurance: If the first face-up card of a dealer is an ace, players can make an insurance bet to protect themselves from a dealer having a blackjack. This bet is equal to half of the original wager and pays 2-1 if the dealer has a natural blackjack.
- Surrender: In some blackjack variants, players can give up and return half of their bet after seeing their first two cards and the dealer’s first card.
Blackjack Scheme
Blackjack scheme — is a table that helps players to make the right decisions depending on what cards they have and what a dealer has. It’s based on mathematical calculation and statistical probability and lets you minimize losses and increase your chances of winning.
For example, if you have a hard hand (without an ace), you are recommended to take a card if you have less than 12 points, double a 9-11 against the weak hand of the dealer, and stand if you have 17 points or more.
For soft hands (with an ace), it makes sense to double the bet with an A2-A6 against certain cards of a dealer, stand on A7 against the dealer’s average card, and always stand on A8-A9.
You can see full recommendations in a table that is easily found on the Internet. Also, many software providers add a table to the game. You have to click the Help button to find it.
How to Play Blackjack
Above, we have already told you about the best possible approach based on mathematical probability. In this block, we will tell you what else it’s important to know about playing Blackjack in an online casino.
Do I Have to Count Cards?
In most cases, it makes no sense. Now, in most games, they use several card decks: 4, 6 or 8. In this situation, counting the cards is unlikely to let you advantage. If you sit in a table with only one deck, find out when it is shuffled. If it’s done after each distribution of cards, counting makes no sense.
Here’s a general rule for counting: the more low cards are drawn away, and the more 10-point cards are in play, the better it is for a player. If you face the opposite situation, you should be careful.
You can find more information about it in the books “Beat the Dealer” by Edward Thorp and “Blackjack Attack” by Don Schlesinger.
Bankroll Management
Choose the table reasonably, based on the minimum and maximum bet size. You need a room to move to use any strategy. Given that the casino has a mathematical advantage, you have no chance if all your bets are the same. Your wild card is to have the ability to increase a bet when necessary, so you must be sure you have enough money for that.
Double Down
When you double the bet down, you can get only one additional card, that’s why you have to be attentive. Just about one combination out of seven is good for doubling down. These are several soft hands 13–18, and hard 9, 10 and 11. The good moment to double down or not depends on the dealer’s hand. Never double down when their face-up card is an ace, and almost never do that when it’s ten. Use the table to get to know when to double down.
Insurance
A dealer may offer you an insurance bet if they have an ace or ten. In this case, you’ll get paid if they get a blackjack. In most cases, the payout size is two bets. The insurance itself costs half of your initial bet. In terms of maths, using insurance isn’t profitable. A dealer won’t have blackjacks often enough for insurance to pay off.