Blackjack Rules: Learn to Play With These Simple Steps

It is usually believed that if a person dislikes casinos, a card game played with blackjack rules can change his perception forever. Such is the popularity of this game that it acts as a trademark in various high-end casinos worldwide. Blackjack was one of the most popular games in 1985, covering 77 percent of the entire casino games and activities. With so many games coming into the picture, blackjack definitely stands out in casinos. 

Be it the desire to relive old classic gameplay or to enjoy the modernized way of playing Blackjack, the bar of interest is always high for the all-time favorite 21. And for those new to this game, learning it is as simple as ABC. You must keep a few rules at your fingertips and practice refining your strategies. But before doing that, let us get a basic idea of the game:

Blackjack: An Overview

The entire Blackjack game revolves around the number 21. Every player tries to beat the hand of the dealer without exceeding the sum value of 21 from the cards. Players can place their bets before the cards are dealt. Out of two dealer cards, one is kept face down until all the players place their bets. Players have the chance of either taking a new card or sticking to the combination of the two they have in hand. If the total card values of two cards go above 21, you go bust, and the dealer wins the game. While this was a summary, it is crucial to explore the details of the game. Let us know the stepwise process of playing Blackjack. 

Blackjack Rules and Steps to Play the Game

The following are some of the rules that you need to learn to play the game of Blackjack effectively and plaster the loopholes, whatever they may be:

Betting

The game commences with each player taking their respective seats and placing their bets in the betting circle. The game should start with the dealer instructing the players about minimum and maximum bets they can deal in. the dealer then deals the cards and arranges them one at a time in a clockwise manner. The cards face up to each betting circle and then to the dealer. Now, the second card faces up to each betting circle, and ultimately, it will also face down to the dealer.

Insurance

When the dealer gets an Ace or a card of 10, he can offer the players to place the insurance bet. It is a bet set aside from the final win that acts as a high-chance-winning move. This bet ensures you can get some money, if not the final jackpot. When a player says yes to the insurance bet, he can place an extra bet that amounts to half the original bet. If the dealer has Blackjack, the player wins the insurance bet. 

The Deal

In this step, the dealer enters the game and checks if he has a Blackjack by viewing the down card. If it’s a Blackjack 21, the dealer exposes his down card. This concludes the round, and all players lose unless someone has a Blackjack. When the dealer and any player have a Blackjack, the Push comes into force, and the player gets his bet money. 

The insurance bets are lost if a player hits the Blackjack before the dealer. In such a case, other players can act according to the further Blackjack rules. The following game rules include the actions that players can take when one of the players hits the golden number 21.

• Stand: When a player has 21, any other players can stand. This means he is unwilling to further deal with more bets or participate in a betting round. He will pass the action to the next player. The player must wave his hand to stand, indicating that he won’t be playing any further rounds.
• Hit: A player can take another card by using the hit action, as per the Blackjack rules. He does this by signaling the dealer by pointing to his hand. The dealer then faces up a single card. If the last combination is less than 21, the player can stand or ask for another card. The total becomes 21; the player is automatically in the Stand position. If the total is above 21, the hand is busted, and the house takes the best of the players, passing the action to the next player.
• Double Down: When a player assumes that his cards are worth playing, he can utilize the ‘double down’ action. He does this by placing the second wager that equals the first. The player doubling down usually gets one more chance to face the card up. After that, it becomes mandatory for the player to Stand no matter what total he has.
• Split: A player can also choose to Split if he has both cards with matching numbers. He can place an extra bet that is equal to the original bet. Then, he can split the card dealing in two hands. When split comes into play, the dealer deals with an additional card. If there are cards of matching rank, the player can split again. Generally, this is applicable for a maximum of 4 hands. After this, no split is allowed.

Blackjack Rules for Surrender

As the term suggests, it includes a player regaining half of his bet and giving up a hand. This should be the first and the only action in a player’s hand. Another version of this move is Late Surrender, in which the dealer checks his hole card and does not have Blackjack. 

When players decide their action, the dealer plays the hand per the fixed Blackjack rules. This means that every player will first reveal their card. The dealer will show all cards until a 17 number or higher comes up. Depending on the players’ actions, some will Stand while others require additional cards. This continues until you hit a hard 17 or more than 18. If the dealer is busted, all other players automatically win the game. 

Blackjack Rules for Sharpening Your Skills

Blackjack is a pretty straightforward game. It is the ease of play that helps players use various decisive strategies. Every player can devise their game style and create a plan. Here are a few rules you can apply to ensure that your winning percentage is above par:

• Try perfecting your Blackjack game by minimizing the advantage of the house. This can be done by remembering or cramming up the terms, actions, and other Blackjack rules. 
• If you have ten and the dealer faces up the card, which is 9, you can use the Double action. If the dealer shows a ten or an ace, you can use Hit. If you have 11, you can double if the dealer shows ten or lesser. If the dealer has Ace, use Hit straight away. 
• If you have 13 SOFT, you can use HIT. If you have numbers between 16 and 18, you can double with cards having a value between 2 and 6. Use Hit if you have cards between values 7 to Ace. When you have cards between 19 to 21, choose to Stand. 
• Use Split wisely. Do this if you have pairs between values 2 to 6. Don’t use Split if you have cards valuing from 7 to Ace. Use Splits for double 8s and As. Avoid using Split for 4s, 5s, and 10s. This is because those numbers have a high chance of being in the combination nearing the lucky number of 21, which will increase your chance of winning. 
• In case you have 16, and the dealer shows a card of 10, it might be highly probable that the dealer will have a blackjack. In such a case, Surrender is the best option. You can use the Hit action if the casino does not allow surrendering. 
• Refraining from taking any real money is one of the most essential Blackjack rules. This happens when the dealer shows an ace and offers you an actual money payout. It is a trap as the dealer provides this primarily when he has a blackjack. If you refuse to take the even money, you can Push and get your original bet money back without taking the risk.

Summing Up

Blackjack can be a favorite for multiple reasons. Firstly, it comes with simple maths. This makes the game easy to understand. Secondly, it is a player-friendly game. There are many ways to win, and if not, there are choices to secure your money. Also, the game has plenty of strategies to ensure your money and avoid heavy losses. For instance, you can use the natural blackjack strategy when you have an ace and 10 points card. You get paid more than even money when you hit the natural Blackjack. Some players even count cards with regular practice to increase their winning chances. Yes, it’s all a part of the game. 

In a nutshell, the thrills of doubling down, the chills of nearing a jackpot win, and the nips of the short equations of games make Blackjack a never-ending gaming phenomenon. Also, a significant advantage is that you can adapt the strategies that most expert professionals use. You can replicate the moves and never feel like a novice in the game. Hoping that you loved reading the Blackjack Rules we curated for you, we are rooting for you to win in your next round of Blackjack 21.  

Also read: Best Casino Games for Beginners and How to Play Them