If you are totally new to the game of Blackjack, this article is exactly what you need. Here we will go over the basics of the game to play at online casinos.
To start playing Blackjack online, the game mechanics to follow are the same as in real casinos. The fundamental rule is that it is about beating the dealer; you do not play against the other users at the table.
The Objective of the Game
The main objective of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand. It doesn’t matter if the other player’s hands are better or worse than yours since you don’t play against them. All that matters is that you beat the dealer’s hand. The best online blackjack hand has a value of 21, and going over that number means you busted (losing the hand, regardless of the dealer’s hand value).
Rules of Blackjack
In a blackjack game, the dealer must act according to the game rules. He can not decide the next move concerning his own hand. The dealer must follow the rules that are printed on the blackjack table for all to see. An example of it is “the dealer sticks to all 17”. It means if the dealer has a total hand value of 17 (strong 17 or soft 17), he cannot draw any more cards, although if he sees that players have a total hand value of 18 or more. If 21 is hit with just two cards, it is considered Blackjack and is automatically won.
Bets are placed on each hand before the dealer deals the cards. Then the dealer deals two cards to each player and two to himself. The player can stand (keep the cards he has) or ask for a card, but he automatically loses if he goes over 21. The players who score higher than the bank without exceeding 21, or obtain a blackjack, finally win.
Keep in mind that rules vary according to each table and each online casino; therefore, it is essential to ask what are the rules of Blackjack every time you play at a new site or table.
Card values
The aces can be worth 1 or 11, the 10 and the face cards (King, Queen & Jack) have the value of 10, and the cards that go from 2 to 9 have their numerical value.
How to Play Blackjack Online
Before you decide the Best Bitcoin blackjack sites for your needs, you first must understand these concepts, which are part of the game. These are the basics of Blackjack; however, to know how to play Blackjack well, you must study and learn the strategy. Such concepts are:
Strong hands versus soft hands: A hand that uses an ace with the value of 1 is considered a “strong hand,” and a hand that uses an ace like an 11 is considered a “soft hand.”
Hit or stand: After a player receives his initial two cards, he is given the option to “Hit” (draw an additional card) in hopes of increasing the total value of his hand or to “Stand” (no more draw). A player may hit multiple times until he is satisfied with his total hand or until he goes over 21 and is out of the game.
Double Down: It means you place an additional bet on the original, then the dealer serves the player a single card on top of the initial two; the player cannot ask for another card. For example, the dealer’s face up card is 4, and you have 3 & 6, which gives you a total hand of 9. However, this is known as the ideal situation for doubling down. It can maximize your bet and receive a card worth 10; therefore, it will give you 19 as hand value. The dealer can easily bust or keep a total hand value of 17. In both cases, you win the hand. Every casino has rules for this play.
Split: If the first two cards are of the same numerical value, the player can separate them, placing an additional bet (it must be of the same amount as the original bet). One more card is served on each separate card, each set of two cards constituting an independent play. If the second card served on each play is equal to the first, you can re-split that play by placing another additional bet, and so on.
Surrender: This option is not always available. If the player considers that his first two cards will not beat the dealer, he can surrender, losing only half of his initial bet. This rule does not exist in many casinos, mainly European ones.
Insurance: When the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, you can protect yourself from his Blackjack by making a safety fund with half the amount of your bet. If the dealer gets Blackjack, he pays the player twice the insurance bet.
