Blackjack Basics

Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games right now. A reason for this is that it's quite simple to play, but exciting at the same time.

It's a card game with a dealer, and players competing to win the hand. The players don't play against each other, but against the dealer. The dealer has their own hand, which the player has to beat in order to win the hand.

Whoever gets the value of their hand closest to 21, without going over, wins the hand. If the value of a hand surpasses 21, it's called a "bust". Which marks the end of the round.

The card suits are of no importance in this game, only the numbered cards. Their value equals their number. The picture cards are all worth 10, and the Ace counts as 1 or 11, depending on your needs.

^{Photo by Pisi Photography on Flickr}

At the start of a round each player places a bet on the table and is then dealt two cards face down. The dealer also deals themselves two cards, one face up and one down. The person (dealer or player) who has 21 with his/her two cards has Blackjack, and wins. Any other hand value leaves you the choice of getting an extra card to make 21, or staying where you are. If you choose to not ask for any more cards, you "stand."

If you have been dealt two cards of the same value, you can split them to make two separate hands. This is called the "split." You may then proceed to draw cards as usual. However, if two Aces are split, you will only get one additional card for each hand. If two Aces or two ten value cards are split and one of your hands totals 21, the hand is not considered Blackjack, but 21. You are not allowed to split a split hand.

You can ask for as many extra cards as you like to make 21, but remember, as soon as the value of your hand exceeds it, you're bust and your lose that round and your bet.

Summary

• Score as close to 21 as possible in a hand
• Suits are not considered, only numbers count. Picture cards value 10, Aces value 1 or 11, and the Numbered cards retain their numerical value
• You don't play against other players, but against the dealer
• Get over 21 and you are bust

Want to find out more about the history of Blackjack?

If you prefer to try your hand at Blackjack instead, visit our Casino Table Games section for our Blackjack games info, or go straight to Play Now to download our casino software.

Wishing you lots of luck and loads of fun!

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