Blackjack is regarded as one of the most popular casino games in the world, bringing in about 31% of all table traffic at online casinos. Blackjack comes with its own set of exciting rules.
Whether you’re a beginner or have blackjack experience, it always helps to refresh your memory regarding blackjack strategies.
To learn more about the basic rules of blackjack, keep reading the following rules guide.
The Dealer’s Hand
Blackjack is a card game played with one or more standard 52-card decks. The competition aims to beat the dealer’s hand by having a higher total than the dealer without exceeding 21.
If the player’s total exceeds 21, they lose the game. Blackjack is usually played with between one and eight decks of cards. The dealer’s hand must be kept secret from the other players.
If the dealer’s hand is higher than the player’s, the player loses the game. If the dealer’s hand is lower than the player’s, the player wins the game.
The Player’s Hand
The player’s hand is always the first to be dealt. The dealer then deals themselves two cards, one face up and one face down. The player then chooses to hit, stand, double down, or split.
If the player chooses to hit, they will receive another card. If the player decides to stand, they keep the hand they have. If the player chooses to double down, they double their bet and are dealt one more card.
Finally, if the player chooses to split, they split their hand into two separate hands and get an additional card for each hand.
Splitting Pairs
A player is usually allowed to split pairs of cards that have the same value. For example, if a player is dealt two 8s, they may choose to split them into two separate hands. Following blackjack rules, a player can only break once per game.
Doubling Down
In a blackjack game, doubling down is when you double your original bet after receiving your first two cards. This is only allowed on certain hands, and the general rule is that you should double down if your hand totals 9, 10, or 11.
However, there are situations where you would want to deviate from this rule. For example, if the dealer is showing a 5 or 6, you should double down on a 10.
Surrendering
Surrendering is when you forfeit and give up half of your bet for not playing out the hand. This can be a good option if you have a bad hand or the dealer shows an Ace.
Not all casinos offer to surrender. You can only surrender after the dealer has checked for blackjack. It is always better to surrender a stiff hand (one without an Ace) than a soft hand (one with an Ace).
Ready to get started? Check out these online casino games and see how your luck plays out.
Understand the Basic Rules of Blackjack to Win More Often
The basic rules of blackjack are simple and easy to learn. You can be a pro in no time with a bit of practice.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a deck of cards and start playing!
If you enjoyed these tips, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more helpful guides and articles.
