How to play Blackjack - a beginners guide
Blackjack rules and game play for live and online Casino's
Live and online Casino's offer a wide range of Blackjack table stakes (betting limits), Blackjack game variations and the number of hands you can play in one turn.
Multihanded Blackjack games give players the choice of how many hands they can play in one round. You don't need to just play only one hand per round, you can play up to 5 or 6 hands per go. More hands = more fun = more chances of winning money.
How to start playing Blackjack
After signing up and created your Casino account you need to deposit funds so you have a Bankroll to play with. Online Casino's have lots of sign up offers and Bonuses so make sure you check out each Casino's promotions. Then choose the table limits and the Blackjack game you fancy playing.
When you are sat at the Blackjack table choose the total amount you want to bet and then click Deal. If you are playing a multihanded Blackjack game you have to place your bets on all the hands then click Deal.
Once the cards have been dealt all the decisions are yours, you can win yourself money by using your skills and Basic Blackjack Strategies. The Dealers decisions are automatic, based solely on the total number they have. That is the joy of Blackjack, you win with your skills not by the lucky roll of a dice.
Blackjack game play talk
Like all games Blackjack has its own language but it is very simple and quick to learn. The basic Blackjack game play terms also help you to understand and apply Basic Blackjack Strategy, increasing your chances of winning the Casino's money.
After the cards have been dealt the options are:
Stand: You do not take another card but "stick" (do not say this in a Casino, use the word Stand) on the total you have. Either you think your cards are a high enough total to beat the Dealer or you are hoping the Dealer goes bust and you win the hand.
Hit: You receive another card for free, you can Hit and take as many cards as you want until you Stand or go Bust. You can not win more money by hitting but you are not risking any more of your Bankroll.
Players normally Hit when the Dealer has a high value card showing. Basic Blackjack Strategy teaches you when to Stand/Hit/Double down.
Double Down: By Doubling you buy one more card and then have to Stand on that number. You normally do not have the option to buy another card after taking the Double Down. You can buy the extra card for an amount up to your original bet (stake) on this hand.
Players normally Double Down when they have been dealt a total of 10 or 11 and the dealer is showing between 2-6 (the higher the better).
Split: 2 'hole cards' of the same value can be split. If you have been dealt a pair of 8's and the Dealer is showing a 3 then you would normally want to Split the cards. The Dealer will separate your pair and you place another bet, equal to your original bet for that hand, to make 2 bets. The Dealer will then give you another card on each Split card and you play each hand individually. Splitting means you can win a lot more money than at the start of the hand, it also gives you the chance to lose on one hand but win on the other so you finish evens.
The House rules for splitting will vary so you need to read each Casino's rules for the Blackjack game you are playing.
Splitting if played correctly using Basic Blackjack Strategy will increase your percentage chances of winning.
What is Blackjack Insurance?
Blackjack Casino's may offer an Insurance Bet when the Dealers upturned card is showing an Ace. Should you take the Casino's offer of Insurance? Basic Blackjack Strategy says you should never take the Insurance bet but what if you have a large sum of your Bankroll invested in that hand?
What is very different about an Insurance bet? You are betting and now hoping that the Dealer DOES have a Blackjack!
For more information on Blackjack Insurance bets using Basic Blackjack Strategy and also more advanced tactics click here.
What is a 'Push' in Blackjack?
A Push in a Casino Blackjack game is where you and the Dealer have finished on the same number. A Push means you have Tied with the Dealer and there is no winner but you have not lost your bet. Your stake will be returned back to you.
Blackjack strategies and tips to increase your edge
Basic Blackjack Strategy - the Blackjack BibleBlackjack Dealer Insurance bets - fully Comp Insurance or is it Fire and Theft Insurance?