How To Play Blackjack for Beginners
Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is undoubtedly the most popular and playing casino game in the world. Played with standard 52–deck poker cards and up to 7 players. However, the aim is not to compete with one another. It is instead to beat the dealer by getting higher value cards, or getting as close to the value of 21. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? However, it can take many years to master the game. In this article, we aim to provide the basics to get you started with the game.
The Deck
Let’s start with the card values. In order to make 21, we’ll need to use the point guide:
- 2 to 10: the points are equal to the same value of the card.
- Jack, Queen or King: 10 points.
- Ace: Can either be 1 or 11 points.
Unlike Texas Hold’em and other poker games, the suits of the cards (spades, hearts, clubs or diamonds) have no bearing in Blackjack.
Do bear in mind that some casinos use between 1 to 8 standard 52-card decks for the game. It is important to find out before placing bets on the table.
The Play
After the stakes are placed, 2 cards are dealt with 1 facing up and another facing down to each of the players and the dealer. Players may check the card facing down at their own discretion. If no one gets a combination of 21, each player has the following options:
- Hit: request an additional card from the dealer.
- Stand: take no additional cards from the dealer, but stay in the game.
- Double Down: allows you to double your wager– the dealer will deal you 1 additional card, and your turn ends.
- Surrender: You’ll give up half the bet and quit, ending the game.
- Split: If you have two cards of the same rank (e.g., 2 and 2), you can split them into 2 different hands. You’ll then have all the above options for both hands. Do take note that the cards have to be the same rank and not just the values. If you get a king and a jack, they are not the same rank though they share the same value.
- Insurance: if the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, you can pay ½ of the bet to get insurance against the dealer for having a natural blackjack, I.e., 21.
The dealer’s options are lesser compared to the players. If they have 16 or fewer, they must hit it. If they have 17 or more, they must stand. In another word, there is no split, double down or surrender options for them. If they go over 21, or bust as it is called, they lose. All the players who did not bust win the game.
Any player dealt with a natural 21 will win automatically unless the dealer is showing an ace. If the second card the dealer shows isn’t valued at 10, then the player wins as a natural blackjack. If the dealer has a card worth 10 points beside their ace, it’s a tie or push, and the wager goes back to the player.
And that’s it! The game mechanics are quite simple which can get you started right off the bat. If you get your hands into the game, why not check out Play88, a trusted casino company Singapore today? Play88 has a lot to offer to new and seasoned players with plenty of bonuses to give! Register today to join our online casino VIP program and make your dreams come true!