Having that favorite hobby in life is important for more than one reason. All of us need some time to unwind after a rough day when all the work or studying is over and all we want is to relax and do something fun. In the modern world full of technology and various types of entertainment at every corner, things get overwhelming pretty quickly and despite the wide selection it is difficult to pinpoint that one thing that can make our day better. But once you do, your life is instantly better for it as you have something to look forward to that will make every day, no matter how hard and exhausting, worth it.
For an ever-increasing number of people, that is gambling. Considering how various and diverse the whole gambling industry is, even that can be rather overwhelming to navigate. So why don’t we narrow it down to one of the most iconic, beloved, and widespread games ever? In this article, we are talking about Blackjack, the famous card game with a tradition that spans centuries. As popular as it ever was, it is a game that amateurs, veterans, young and old can play and enjoy equally as much. If you are interested in gambling as a pastime activity and need a new game in your rotation, there is no better choice than blackjack, so read on to learn how to become a better player in no time.
Examining the Basic Rules
One of the reasons why blackjack is so appealing to the wider masses and why it has managed to survive for this long despite numerous other games appearing in the meantime is its simplicity. The straightforward nature of the rules and the basis of how it is played make it accessible for anyone, both those who have played other card games and newcomer gamblers who have yet to grab a card for the first time. Thanks to it being so basic, anyone can pick it up as a hobby and start enjoying it from day one. Now, despite being simple, that does not mean there is no strategy and that it can be predictable. Far from it, as it is actually very diverse, engaging, and exciting. Here is how it works.
The objective of the game is for the player(s) to have a higher total value of the hand than the dealer. The catch is that you cannot exceed 21, otherwise you lose. So as long as your hand is 21, it is the perfect win, but any amount higher than that of the dealer wins it for the player. If the player does go over, it is called a “bust” and they lose the round, and the bet. Alternatively, if the dealer busts, the player wins the round and the bet. The best hand is an Ace and a card worth ten points, either the 10, the Jack, the Queen, or the King. Those two cards equal 21, which is the “Blackjack”.
Speaking of card values, they too are quite simple and similar to other card games. Number cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value while the face cards, i.e. the Jack, Queen, and King, as mentioned, are worth 10 points. The Aces can either be 1 or 11 points depending on which value benefits the hand the most. If you have a 7 and an Ace, you either have 8 or 18. An Ace and a 10 or a face card make the aforementioned Blackjack combination of 21, which is the ultimate goal as it wins the game. It is fun to play because you only get two cards and yet a lot can happen in the blink of an eye.
The Deal and the Turns
With the basic rules being so easy to follow and get the hang of, so is the gameplay. At the beginning of every round, the players place their bets before the dealer gives two cards to each and two cards to themselves. One of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up and is called the “upcard”, and the other face down, the ”hole card”. This information is crucial for the players as it gives some more context and allows strategizing, while also putting the dealer in a rough spot. Then it is time for the player’s turn.
When the players get their cards, their turn begins and this is where you need to pay attention the most. There are several options to improve the hand, and it is all about getting as close to that 21 as possible, ideally exactly 21. First, the players can “hit” which means ask for another card to be dealt their way. This increases their hand’s total value. Players can hit as many times as they want unless they bust.
Alternatively, they can “stand” meaning keeping their current hand and ending their turn. The “double down” is a daring move where the player doubles the initial bet in exchange for one more card. It is a strategic move by players with strong hands, like a 9, 10, or 11, who want to maximize their bet and get a chance to improve the total.
There is also a move called the “split” where the player is dealt two of the same value cards. If this happens, they can split them into two separate hands, each with a new bet equal to the original. The player then plays both hands independently, which is something that can open many new doors to larger payouts as well as disrupt others’ chances.
Finally, there is the surrender option, but not in all types of blackjack. This is when the player chooses to surrender their hand after the initial day because they deem the hand, and therefore the round, unsavable. By surrendering, they forfeit half of their bet and get to keep the other half. This is a good move if the cards are not coming your way and you get a very low total from the first deal, like a 2 and a 3 for example.
Navigating the Dealer’s Turn
When all the players have received their cards, the dealer reveals the hole card. Standard rules of blackjack suggest that the dealer has to hit if they have a hand of 16 or less and stand if they have 17 or more. For some variations, the dealer should also hit on a soft 17, which is a hand that has an Ace that is valued as 11 and a 6. Should the dealer bust, all remaining players win their bets, which is the best feeling in the game as everyone at the table wins money.
If the dealer does not bust and has a good hand, all the hands are compared with each other. The player whose hand exceeds the dealer’s and is not a bust wins, while the hand lower than the dealer’s loses. If there are equal hands, the round is called a “push” and the player’s bet is returned. More players can have winning hands at once of course, and more can lose their bets in the process.
In most blackjack settings, a winning hand pays out at 1:1, but there are variations of course. If the player is dealt a blackjack, i.e. an Ace and a 10 card, they are paid out at 3:2. In case the dealer wins, the player loses the whole bet. When the aforementioned push occurs, the player keeps the bet and can play again. All of this can happen quite quickly as this card game is fast-paced and exciting due to how many rounds can take place in a small time window.
Different Types of Blackjack
Depending on the casino, as well as whether it is a regular brick-and-mortar establishment or an online platform like Stake, there are multiple ways to play and enjoy this classic gambling casino game. Rules can be changed, bet sizes can vary, and some players even change the basic methods of gameplay or how card points work. Some variations have side bets called insurance, there are double-down guidelines, and some disregard the soft 17 part of the dealer’s turn.
Basically, whatever you figure out with your friends you can go for. But at casinos, both online and in real life, you have to stick with the rules that are set in front of you. To make matters even more interesting, some modern online variations blend video games and blackjack, offering the fans hybrid gameplay with extra gameplay mechanics that are not found elsewhere. Make sure to try these if you still want blackjack in your life but are bored with the classic variety.
FAQ
- What is a blackjack weapon?
Blackjack does not refer to the card game alone. There is also a melee weapon used for self-defense that bears the name. It is a handheld tool made out of leather with a sturdy club underneath. One end is a heavy lead weight and the other a handle. It is quite handy in a sudden bar fight!
- How to deal blackjack?
Dealing is done by shuffling the deck and giving each player two cards, both facing down. The dealer also gets two cards, one faced down and the other faced up. The round starts when the dealer and all the players receive their respective cards.
- What is the insurance bet in blackjack?
This is a side bet that adds an extra element to the already fun gameplay. The bet can take place if the dealer’s card facing up is an Ace. In this situation, the bet is 2:1 that the dealer has a blackjack. If they do, the player loses. If not, the player wins. It is a fun little side bet that is always welcomed by everyone at the table.
- How to count cards in blackjack?
Counting cards involves keeping track of the cards that have already been played and trying to predict which ones are yet to come. It involves attention and perseverance, as well as plenty of practice and experience. A good strategy to have, is casinos limit it by having multiple decks in play.
- When to split in blackjack?
Splitting should take place when the player has Aces and 8s to maximize their chances. Never split pairs of 10s or face cards.
- What does double down mean in blackjack?
As mentioned, doubling down means doubling your initial bet in exchange for one more card. Reach for this move when you think that you have a high chance to improve your already strong hand and get to 21. Think hand values between 9 and 11.
- When to double down in blackjack?
Double down only when you have a good chance to improve your hand with a single card. It should take place when your total is 11 and the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6. You can also double down if you have a 10 card and the dealer has a 9 or lower.
- When to hit in blackjack?
Hitting should be reserved when you are too far from 21 so as not to risk busting. When your total after the initial cards is 8 or less, it is a good time to hit. A soft hand when you have an Ace and another card is also a good moment to hit. Never hit with high hands because busting is right around the corner.
- How to play blackjack at home?
All you need is some friends, a deck or two, some chips or actual money, and a table to play. There are premade sets to buy and make things easier. Some booze and snacks are obligatory and you will have a long night ahead of you, one to remember!
- How many decks are in blackjack?
Blackjack can be played with a single deck, and it is played like this in friendly settings. Casinos use as many as eight decks to minimize card counting. Online varieties are difficult to figure out because the cards are digital and the random number generator algorithms dictate everything.
- Where to play blackjack in RDR2?
Red Dead Redemption 2 has a great blackjack mini-game. You can play it in saloons in Blackwater, Van Horn, and Rhodes. Try it out as it makes the whole Wild West experience much more immersive.