Blackjack Guide And Tips

• What Is Blackjack?
• How Does Blackjack Work?
• Card Values In Blackjack
• Blackjack Tips
• Blackjack Tips Summary

If you wish to learn about the great game of blackjack, then we hope this guide teaches you all you need to know.

From the rules of the game to basic strategy, let’s dive right into this casino classic.

What Is Blackjack?

Blackjack is a card game that is regularly played across every casino on the planet. The game is simple in concept, one of the main reasons behind its enduring popularity.

Even if you’ve never bet in your life, you’ve likely heard of blackjack and have witnessed it being played - be it in-person, or on TV.

How Does Blackjack Work?

The aim of the game is straightforward - to get as close as possible to the number 21 without going over. You must always aim for a higher hand than the dealer, too.

If you or the dealer goes over 21, then you bust and subsequently lose the game.

Those are the rules in a nutshell. Like all games, there is plenty more to it than that, and you’ll learn more about the nuances of blackjack in this guide.

Card Values In Blackjack

Beginners can find the different card types in blackjack a little daunting. However, the card values are easy to understand:

• Kings, Queens, and Jacks are worth 10 points.
• Numbered cards keep the value on their faces, meaning that a two of clubs is worth two points
• Aces can either worth one point or eleven, depending on what benefits the player

To calculate the score of a blackjack hand, all you need to do is add up the values of the cards. The hand with the higher total is victorious.

There are only two hands that matter in blackjack - yours and the dealer’s. If a hand totals over 22, it is classified as a dead hand, and automatically loses.

A blackjack is a total of 21 in your first two cards - in other words, an Ace and any ten-valued card.

Playing Blackjack

If the dealer does not deal themself a face-up ace card, then the player is asked whether they’d like to ‘hit’ or ‘stand’.

Asking for a hit means asking for another card, whereas standing entails the player passing up the offer. If you go for a hit and the total of your hand is 22 or over, then you have lost the round.

‘Doubling down’ is a phrase you’ll often hear in blackjack. All this means is, after the first two cards are dealt, the player is allowed to place an additional bet, after which you’ll receive one more card.

After you’ve doubled down, you cannot ask for any more hits.

Splitting is when two cards of the same value are divided into two separate playing hands. Both hands are independent, and their payouts are independent, too.

Should you emerge victorious against the dealer, then you’ll receive a 1:1 payout. If you bet £50, then you’ll receive your stake back, plus £50 from the dealer. If you score a blackjack, then payouts are typically 3:2.

Blackjack Tips

There’s no guaranteed way to ace blackjack, however there are some strategies you can use to maximise your chances of success.

Learn The Basics

You won’t get anywhere in blackjack if you don’t learn the basics. To play it safe, you can read some basic strategy charts suggesting the best way to play with any given hand.

It’s worth noting that you should read your strategy charts prior to starting your game. These guides do not guarantee success, but they’ll teach you the basics of when to hit, when to stand, and when to double-down.

Learning basic strategy will pay-off big time in the future. In addition to strategy guides, there are several blackjack apps you can download to get some extra practice in.

You should also learn the basic blackjack gestures. In blackjack, if you wish to hit, then tap the table. If you want to stand, then wave over your cards. If it’s splitting you’re after, then make a V shape with your fingers.

Doubling down entails you placing another chip next to the betting box and pointing.

Never Take Insurance

Insurance in blackjack means taking a side bet separately to your main one. It’s placed for half the value of your main wager, and allows you to bet on the chances of the dealer having a natural blackjack.

In essence, taking insurance means betting on the probability of a face-down card being of 10-value, as it’ll only be offered if they have a face-up ace.

Insurance bets sound great on paper, as if you lose and the dealer has a natural blackjack, you can still make money. The problem, though, is that there is a difference between actual on-paper odds and the probability of something happening.

It’s far more likely that the dealer won’t have the cards to complete the hand, meaning that your insurance bet will, more often than not, cost you more money.

It’s best to stick with the cards you have. Insurance bets sound promising, but they do not deliver most of the time.

Walk Away When You’re On Top

Like all casino games, luck plays a huge part in how well you’ll fare. There is, however, an element of skill involved as well.

If you find yourself on a winning streak (winning 3 hands or more) then it’s worth raising your bet a little to capitalise on your success.

However, you should always avoid playing for too long whilst you’re on top. If you feel your luck changing, then make sure that you’re walking away with some profit.

A classic casino mistake is sticking around once the landscape of the game has changed and you’re trying to rekindle the hot streak you had before. If you do this for too long, then you risk giving all of your stake money (and more) back to the house.

Blackjack Tips Summary

Blackjack is a casino staple and playing it is a great way to be social whilst sharpening your skills. No matter what happens in the game, be sure to enjoy it and enjoy the company of the dealer and the other players.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always play blackjack with a clear head. Whilst there’s no guaranteed way to win everytime, we hope this guide has made the game a little bit less daunting.