Blackjack, also known as 21, is one of the most popular card games found in many casinos. Whether you play at a physical casino or live Blackjack online, there are many things to know…
If you want to know more about the game, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the essentials of how to play Blackjack.
Step 1: Understanding the objective
The primary goal of Blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. Each player competes against the dealer, not against other players. The game is played with one or more decks of standard playing cards, and each card has a point value:
- Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points.
- Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, depending on which value benefits the hand more.
Step 2: Placing your bet
Before any cards are dealt, you need to place your bet, which is done by putting chips in the designated betting area on the Blackjack table.
Each table will have a minimum and maximum betting limit, which varies depending on the casino.
Step 3: The deal
Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each player and two cards to themselves.
The players’ cards are usually dealt face up, while the dealer has one card face up (the upcard) and one card face down (the hole card).
Step 4: Player decisions
Each player must decide how to play their hand and there are several options:
- Hit: Ask for another card. You can continue to hit until you are satisfied with your hand or you bust (exceed 21).
- Stand: Keep your current hand and end your turn.
- Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive only one more card.
- Split: If your first two cards have the same value, you can split them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to your original bet. Each new hand will receive an additional card, and you play each hand separately.
- Surrender: In some casinos, you can surrender your hand and forfeit half your bet if you believe you’re unlikely to succeed, which must be done before you take any other action on your hand.
Step 5: Dealer’s turn
After all players have completed their hands, the dealer reveals their hole card and they must follow specific rules:
- 16 or less = hit.
- 17 or more = stand.
- Some variations require the dealer to hit on a “soft 17” (a hand including an Ace valued as 11).
Step 6: Determining the Outcome
Once the dealer has completed their hand, the results are determined:
- Player succeeds: If your hand total is higher than the dealer’s without busting, or if the dealer busts.
- Dealer succeeds: If the dealer’s hand total is higher than yours without busting, or if you bust.
- Push: If your hand and the dealer’s hand are of equal value, resulting in a tie. Your bet is returned.
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By familiarising yourself with the steps and outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying this classic casino game…
