Blackjack is a popular card game which seems to have been invented in Italy in the 15th century. Blackjack's popularity is derived from its simple rules, speedy gameplay, and fairly simple card-counting strategy. Also known as 21, this card game has only one combination - blackjack meaning the player has scored 21 points and won his/her bet. We are here to tell you how to play blackjack, blackjack rules as well as how to win at blackjack game.
Blackjack Types
To understand what is blackjack, we'll look at a few variations of the game. Let's say right off the bat that you should start with the classic version if you're a complete beginner. Notably, blackjack - and not slots as some mistakenly think - was the first game available at online casinos. And today, many players at SlotV, a trusted Indian-friendly online casino, prefer playing blackjack online. So, here are a few types of online blackjack casino games to be aware of:
- Classic. This is the simplest and most common version of the game, where you need to score as many points as possible without going over 21. The combination of any face card and Ace results in a total of 21, which is blackjack with a payout of 3:2.
- European. The main difference with this version is that one of the cards the dealer dealt is reversed, which adds to the thrill.
- Spanish. The ability to double down even after a split is a key feature of this version of the blackjack card game.
There is also progressive blackjack with an additional betting option, giving you the chance to compete for the big jackpot. However, whichever version you choose, you should start by learning how to play blackjack at a casino. Below we'll explain the blackjack game rules (including the dealer rules) as well as its pros and cons.
Game Rules
Usually played at a table - physical or virtual - with 2 to 7 players, blackjack is a card game where your goal is to accumulate a hand higher in value than the dealer's but not to outscore 21 points. Indian gambling enthusiasts can play blackjack online at SlotV, a popular online casino offering many variations of RNG-based and live blackjack. Before you start, you should know blackjack card values. Numbered cards from 2 to 10 are worth as much as their face value. Face cards other than the Ace are worth 10 points. As for the Ace, it can be worth either 1 or 11 points.
Each game round begins by placing a bet. Then, the dealer deals 2 face-up cards to each player, as well as two cards to himself, one of which is a face-down card. You can choose the 'Hit' option to draw another card if your current hand is not satisfactory. If you feel you have a high-ranking hand, choose the 'Stand' option to hold your cards. When the value of the dealer's hand reaches a certain point, the players' hands are compared with the dealer's hand. If you score more points than the dealer, then you win according to blackjack rules. In case of a tie, you get your bet back. If the dealer scores more points, your bet goes to the casino. If you're lucky enough to collect a hand of value 21, your payout is 3:2 (or 6:5 in some versions).
Pros & Cons
Below you will find a table with the advantages and disadvantages of the game, which will help you see whether an online blackjack real money game is a worthwhile option.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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The rules are simpler than in poker, for example. |
Takes some time to get the hang of. |
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You have more control over the gameplay than in games of chance. |
Not too big payouts for low stakes. |
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Low house advantage. |
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An easy-to-understand basic strategy with which you get high winning chances. |
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An effective card-counting technique with which you can even gain an advantage over the house. |
Although the playing rules in blackjack are not as straightforward as for Andar Bahar, you can practice by playing blackjack online free available in the virtual lobby of the SlotV online casino.
Dealer Rules
To know how to deal blackjack and to have a better understanding of what's going on at the table in general, it's a good idea to know the blackjack dealer rules. Firstly, after the dealer has dealt all his cards, he checks his hand. If he hits 17 points or higher, he is obliged to stand. If the value of the dealer's hand is 16 points or lower, he is obliged to draw another card. Thus, the dealer makes decisions based on the established rules. In the rest, standard blackjack game rules apply to the dealer.
How to Count Cards in Blackjack
Once you learn the basic rules of blackjack, the first thing to do to feel confident sitting at a blackjack table is to learn basic strategy. Having attracted the attention of mathematicians in the mid-20th century, this card game has been the subject of much research. Mathematical modelling of the game resulted in a set of rules and regulations framed in the concept of blackjack basic strategy. Using these guidelines will allow you to significantly reduce the house advantage. However, if you want to win more often, you need to learn how to count cards in blackjack.
By using card counting techniques, you'll have a better idea of which cards are left in the deck so you can make better decisions. For example, if you have a low-value hand, you might choose the 'Hit' option if you know there are still a lot of face cards in the deck. Be aware that using the card counting technique for RNG-based blackjack is a no-brainer, as the cards are allocated randomly by the algorithm. You can practice playing free blackjack to hone your card counting skills and then switch to live blackjack.
Blackjack Strategy Tips
Although there are many different card counting techniques, we recommend starting with the Hi-Lo option as it is the easiest to understand. Here are some tips on how to use this strategy:
- Divide all the cards into three groups: 2-6, 7-9 and 10-Ace respectively. Think of any card from the first group as +1, from the second group as 0 and from the third group as -1.
- At the start of the game round, your total score is 0. Add numbers to your total score depending on which card is dealt by the dealer.
- If the total score is a positive number, you have the advantage. Otherwise, the advantage goes to the house.
To make it more difficult for players to count cards, online casinos deal blackjack from multiple decks. However, you can still count cards and benefit from it. All you need to do is to get a so-called 'real score'. Simply divide the calculated score by the number of decks and you will have a 'real score' to get an idea of how many high cards are left in the decks.
