Blackjack Rules and Strategies

Blackjack commonly uses one deck of 52 cards, but can also draw from four to eight decks, dealt from a container known as a "shoe". There is the option of playing with two decks, but beginners are recommended to start off with one.

Each card in the deck is given a numerical value: cards numbered 2 to 10 are set at face value, while picture cards – the Jack, Queen and King – are worth 10. The Ace is the most sought after card in the deck, as it can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on how you want to play your hand. The main goal is to have the total value of your cards as close as possible to 21, without going over. If your hand adds up to more than 21 you are out of the game – this is called going "bust".

Blackjack Rules

The game begins with each player making a bet. They are then dealt two cards – face down in single and double deck games and face up when dealt from the shoe. The dealer is also dealt two cards, where one is facing up and the other facing down – the latter referred to as the "hole". The dealer will always play last, so the hole card will not be revealed until every other hand at the table has been played.

If you are dealt an Ace with another card, this is commonly referred to as a "soft" hand, as you will have more options to work with. A "hard" hand is one with no Aces. Of course, if you are dealt an Ace with a picture card or a 10, it is possible to make 21 with these two cards. This is known as a "blackjack" or "natural".

After all the players at the table, including the dealer, receives two cards, each will have a series of ways they can play their hand. A "hit" is when the player requests a third card to be dealt, while a "stand" or "stick" is when a player chooses to remain with their first two cards. In some Blackjack games, there is also the option to "double down", where a player can double the value of their initial bet in exchange for only one more card to be dealt from the pack. Some online casinos will allow the player to place a second bet less than the value of their original wager.

A more advanced tactic is the "split pair", where a player, with two initial cards of the same value, can play with two separate hands. In this scenario, they will have to put down another bet for their second hand, and the dealer will play accordingly. Casinos will occasionally allow a player to "surrender" their hand, where they can give up just half their bet before the dealer has revealed their hole card.

Blackjack Strategies

After you have learned the rules, when it comes to trying out the game for yourself, you will quickly see how patterns can develop. All online casinos will provide a similar format for Blackjack – up to 6 or 7 players and a set minimum and maximum bet at each table – and the same tactics will always apply. You will also see that every other player will be using some kind of strategic approach.

Basic Strategy

In Blackjack, there is a complete set of plays known as "basic strategy". By following which cards have already been played and which are left in the deck, the chances of beating the dealer will increase as more hands are dealt. Naturally, putting this into practice is quite difficult for beginners, so "blackjack charts", detailing the optimal plays for each hand, are often studied. These charts will be essential for any player starting out.

Card Counting

In addition to the basic strategy, there is also the famous "card counting" technique – a means of tracking the ratio of high and low cards – that can turn the dealer's advantage from a usual 5% to less than 1%. In some cases, it can even turn the whole game and increase the player's advantage by 2%. There has long been controversy associated with card counting, but there are no rules against a player using this technique, provided it is done without the assistance of technology.

Composition-Dependent Strategy

Another intriguing approach is the "composition-dependent" strategy, where the order in which the cards have been dealt determines the play. When one deck is being used and a player receives a 10 and 2 for their first two cards, there is a smaller chance that they, or the dealer, will receive another card worth 10. With this hand, the player should hit instead of standing (usually the more logical way to play the hand). However, this strategy is only recommended for single deck games, as the advantage is reduced when more decks are used; with six-decks the advantage is only one tenth of that in single-deck games.

But as much as these strategies will improve your chances of winning, there are some fundamental rules that will need to be followed, before you take your seat at the table. Different casinos will offer more "dealer-friendly" tables that you should be on the lookout for. One "house" advantage is the "hit soft 17" rule, where the dealer is obliged to hit on a hand with an Ace, and stand on a hard 17 – this always works in the dealers favour.

It is worth sticking to the single deck games, where it is also possible to surrender both early and late in the hand and it is vital that you study the casino rules before you sit down at a table and play for real money. Developing a strategic and structured approach to Blackjack will not only increase your chances of success, but you will also discover how truly enjoyable this game can be.