The rules are the same as blackjack except as noted below. All ties pay 1 to 2. Player may only hit and stand. Winning blackjack pays even money. Blackjack is a natural 21 (ace and a ten value card), that wins 21 if you have 3 cards that total 21. If you and dealer both have blackjack again they tie. Ties Win Blackjack. This variation on blackjack is available for online play. The primary difference between this game and standard blackjack is that ties pay out 1:2. In normal blackjack, ties are considered a push and don't pay out at all. The value of cards is the same as in regular blackjack. A starting hand of a 10 valued card and an Ace is called a Blackjack or natural and beats all hands other than another Blackjack. If both the player and dealer have Blackjack, the result is a push (tie): neither the player nor the bank wins and the bet is returned to the player. Order of Play and Playing Options.
Blackjack is a game you play against the dealer – your object is to have a hand higher than hers, without going over 21.
Hand Ranks
Blackjack hand ranks are the sum of these card values:
– 2 to 10 count as their face value
– King, Queen, and Jack count as 10
– An Ace can be counted as 11 or 1, as it suits the player
Example: The hand A-8 can count as either 19 or 9. And 9-2-K count as 21.
In Blackjack the suits have no meaning.
Winning and Losing
The bet is lost when your hand is lower than the dealer's (example, you have 17, and she has 19) or when you Bust (go over 21).
The bet is a push when you reach a tie with the dealer (example, you both have 20). Here, you don't lose your bet, but you don't win any money either.
You win at 1:1 when your hand is higher then the dealer's and you didn't bust (example, you have 21, she has 17). Best blackjack app for android.
You win and paid 3 to 2 if you have Blackjack: and Ace plus a face card (King, Queen, or Jack).
Playing Blackjack
Blackjack is played in rounds, where in every round you place a bet, receive cards, make your play decision, and finally compare hands with the dealer to determine the winner.
– To start a round, click on the chip you want to use, and click on the table. You can add coins and enlarge the bet with additional clicks. You can also remove or change your bet by clicking on Clear.
– Click DEAL to get your cards. Your starting hand is two cards facing up.
– The dealer also gets two cards, one facing up and facing down.
Now you decide what to do. Your options are:
HIT – to receive another card, click on HIT.
The option to hit is available until you bust (go over 21).
STAND – To stop with the cards you have, click STAND.
At any time you decide your hand is complete, and you don't want to add any more cards you can stand. Once you stand on a hand, the turn goes to the dealer. The dealer makes her decisions, and then you compare hands.
In some cases you will have additional options:
DOUBLE DOWN – You can double your initial bet, and immediately get one more card. You can't get any more cards afterwards.
SPLIT – When your starting hand is a pair you can split it to two new hands. When you make a split you place a separate bet for each hand, so you are actually placing another bet. A blackjack on a split hand pays 1:1.
When you split a pair of Aces you receive only one more card for each new hand.
INSURANCE – When the dealer's up card is an ace, you can make a side bet on whether she has Blackjack. Insurance costs half the size of the original one. If the dealer has Blackjack, the bet pays 2:1, but you lose your original bet. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, you lose the insurance bet.
Blackjack Strategy
The best way to play blackjack is by using a strategy and planning ahead your budget, making sure you can play as many hands as you can with the sum you had set in advance. To learn more read our full blackjack strategy. In addition, our blackjack table comes with a built in basic strategy table you can use.
Offer valid as of date published. T&Cs apply.
Tips for beating one of the world's toughest card games
By J. Phillip Vogel
Like many of our favorite casino games, the exact origins of blackjack are forever lost to history. One of the first recorded descriptions of the game places its appearance in France during the 17th century, where it thrilled gamblers under its simple, yet appropriate appellation 'vingt-et-un.' Some gaming historians, however, contend that rather than originating in France, vingt-et-un was nothing more than a variation of Spain's already popular game 'One and Thirty' or perhaps even a spin-off of Italy's baccarat.
Regardless of its origins, so popular was the game that it quickly emigrated globally, taking on slight changes in both name and rules to suit regional appetites. In Russia, the game was called 'Ochko' (roughly translated as 'the hole'). In England, where players were rewarded for drawing both the jack and ace of spades as their first two cards, it became known as 'blackjack.' But whether it's '21' 'California Aces' or even 'Ochko,' blackjack continues to be one of gambling's perennial favorites.
Blackjack Basics
In its most basic form, blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to learn. The objective is to attain a hand value that is greater than that of the dealer, yet does not exceed 21. It can be played using anywhere from one to eight standard decks, with cards of rank 2 through 10 scored according to their face value, while face cards—jack, queen, and king—are valued at 10 points. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points. The game is further governed by the following rules:
➤ Players win if their hand has a greater total point value than the dealer's, without going over 21.
➤ The best possible hand is called a blackjack. It consists of an ace and any 10-point card. A winning blackjack pays 3:2 or in some cases 6:5.
➤ If both the player and the dealer have a tie—including with a blackjack—the bet is a tie or 'push' and money is neither lost nor paid.
➤ All other winning hands pay even money, 1:1.
➤ If either the player or the dealer exceeds 21 or 'busts' the hand automatically loses.
➤ If both the dealer and player bust, the player loses.
A round of blackjack begins with the player placing a bet in the circle or designated betting area in front of him. Every player will then be dealt two cards (both typically face up) while the dealer receives two cards, one of which is exposed and the other (known as the 'hole' card) face down. If the dealer has a 10 or an ace exposed, he will check for blackjack, in which case all player hands lose, except another blackjack. However, should the dealer have an ace exposed, players may take 'insurance,' a side bet that pays 2-1 and hedges the initial bet against a dealer blackjack.
If the dealer does not have blackjack, play continues starting with the player seated immediately to the left of the dealer. The following options are then available:
Stand. If the players decide their hand is sufficiently strong, they may opt to take no additional action.
Hit. Players may draw additional cards until they either bust or decide to stand.
Double down. If players hands warrants, they may opt to double their current bet and receive one additional card. This option is only offered on the first two cards, and in some cases on the first two cards after splitting.
Split. When a player's first two cards are of equal point value, he may separate them into two hands with each card being the first card of a new hand. To split, the player must make another wager of equal value to the initial wager for the second hand. In cases where another identical point valued card is dealt following the split, re-splitting may be allowed. (Re-splitting aces is often an exception.) When allowed, players may also double down after splitting.
Surrender. In certain versions of blackjack, players may surrender or yield a poor hand on their first two cards, rather than play against a potentially superior hand. Surrendered hands return ½ of the wager to the player.
Once all players have acted, the dealer will then complete his hand. Unlike players, the dealer has no freedom to determine the best course of play and must abide by the house rules which govern all actions. Usually the dealer must hit until his cards reach a total value of 17 or more. In some casinos or game versions, if a dealer is dealt a soft 17 (an ace plus cards totaling six additional points) he must also hit. If the dealer busts, all players active in the hand win automatically.
Basic Strategy
Despite its simplistic premise, blackjack is one of the most difficult games in the casino. But with an extremely low vigorish—sometimes reaching 0.18%—it can also be one of the most profitable. Or at least it is if you master basic strategy.
Although daunting and at times confusing, basic strategy is really nothing more than a breakdown of the optimal way to play every possible situation based on the house's rules, your current hand and the dealer's exposed card. Table A and Table B are a sample basic strategy table for use.
Remember, optimal basic strategy varies with the version of the game you play, and there are tables such as these that outline exactly what action to take given the circumstances. And while they may be challenging to memorize, if making money as a black- jack player is your ultimate goal, there's simply no other option.
Strategies to avoid
A lot of new players can be taken in by seemingly sound strategies that actually have no real place at the tables. Avoid the following dangerously ineffective methods:
Play as the dealer plays. Some people think because the house has an edge on the game that by playing according to the dealer's rules (such as always hitting 16 or less, or never doubling or split- ting) that same edge will apply. Wrong. Remember, the player acts first, and even if both you and the dealer bust, the house wins the hand. Such strategy results in a house edge of approximately 5.5%
Blackjack Wins
Martingale System. Some players advocate an age-old, misguided betting system design ostensibly to guarantee winning. Called the 'Martingale System,' this method requires players to double their bet for every hand following a loss. The theory is that by doubling the bet you will eventually win a hand and recoup any previous losses. Although it sounds powerful, this system is flawed and ineffective, and fails to take into account high-risk bets, a moderately bad run of cards, and table limits.
Never draw to a hand that can bust. Rather than take a card that could break the hand, some players prefer to always stand pat on hard totals of 12 or more. Such play is harmful in the long run and results in a vigorish of approximately 4%.
Blackjack Rules Simple
Although these and many other half-baked strategies may sound good in theory, at best they're mildly innocuous and worst devastating. Stay clear of tricks and systems and stick with basic strategy, the only proven method of minimizing the house's edge.
Blackjack Standard Rules
/Poker-Seven-Card-Stud-copy-56a741fa5f9b58b7d0e84d8f.jpg "Blackjack")
You win and paid 3 to 2 if you have Blackjack: and Ace plus a face card (King, Queen, or Jack).
Playing Blackjack
Blackjack is played in rounds, where in every round you place a bet, receive cards, make your play decision, and finally compare hands with the dealer to determine the winner.
– To start a round, click on the chip you want to use, and click on the table. You can add coins and enlarge the bet with additional clicks. You can also remove or change your bet by clicking on Clear.
– Click DEAL to get your cards. Your starting hand is two cards facing up.
– The dealer also gets two cards, one facing up and facing down.
Now you decide what to do. Your options are:
HIT – to receive another card, click on HIT.
The option to hit is available until you bust (go over 21).
STAND – To stop with the cards you have, click STAND.
At any time you decide your hand is complete, and you don't want to add any more cards you can stand. Once you stand on a hand, the turn goes to the dealer. The dealer makes her decisions, and then you compare hands.
In some cases you will have additional options:
DOUBLE DOWN – You can double your initial bet, and immediately get one more card. You can't get any more cards afterwards.
SPLIT – When your starting hand is a pair you can split it to two new hands. When you make a split you place a separate bet for each hand, so you are actually placing another bet. A blackjack on a split hand pays 1:1.
When you split a pair of Aces you receive only one more card for each new hand.
INSURANCE – When the dealer's up card is an ace, you can make a side bet on whether she has Blackjack. Insurance costs half the size of the original one. If the dealer has Blackjack, the bet pays 2:1, but you lose your original bet. If the dealer does not have Blackjack, you lose the insurance bet.
Blackjack Strategy
The best way to play blackjack is by using a strategy and planning ahead your budget, making sure you can play as many hands as you can with the sum you had set in advance. To learn more read our full blackjack strategy. In addition, our blackjack table comes with a built in basic strategy table you can use.
Offer valid as of date published. T&Cs apply.
Tips for beating one of the world's toughest card games
By J. Phillip Vogel
Like many of our favorite casino games, the exact origins of blackjack are forever lost to history. One of the first recorded descriptions of the game places its appearance in France during the 17th century, where it thrilled gamblers under its simple, yet appropriate appellation 'vingt-et-un.' Some gaming historians, however, contend that rather than originating in France, vingt-et-un was nothing more than a variation of Spain's already popular game 'One and Thirty' or perhaps even a spin-off of Italy's baccarat.
Regardless of its origins, so popular was the game that it quickly emigrated globally, taking on slight changes in both name and rules to suit regional appetites. In Russia, the game was called 'Ochko' (roughly translated as 'the hole'). In England, where players were rewarded for drawing both the jack and ace of spades as their first two cards, it became known as 'blackjack.' But whether it's '21' 'California Aces' or even 'Ochko,' blackjack continues to be one of gambling's perennial favorites.
Blackjack Basics
In its most basic form, blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to learn. The objective is to attain a hand value that is greater than that of the dealer, yet does not exceed 21. It can be played using anywhere from one to eight standard decks, with cards of rank 2 through 10 scored according to their face value, while face cards—jack, queen, and king—are valued at 10 points. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points. The game is further governed by the following rules:
➤ Players win if their hand has a greater total point value than the dealer's, without going over 21.
➤ The best possible hand is called a blackjack. It consists of an ace and any 10-point card. A winning blackjack pays 3:2 or in some cases 6:5.
➤ If both the player and the dealer have a tie—including with a blackjack—the bet is a tie or 'push' and money is neither lost nor paid.
➤ All other winning hands pay even money, 1:1.
➤ If either the player or the dealer exceeds 21 or 'busts' the hand automatically loses.
➤ If both the dealer and player bust, the player loses.
A round of blackjack begins with the player placing a bet in the circle or designated betting area in front of him. Every player will then be dealt two cards (both typically face up) while the dealer receives two cards, one of which is exposed and the other (known as the 'hole' card) face down. If the dealer has a 10 or an ace exposed, he will check for blackjack, in which case all player hands lose, except another blackjack. However, should the dealer have an ace exposed, players may take 'insurance,' a side bet that pays 2-1 and hedges the initial bet against a dealer blackjack.
If the dealer does not have blackjack, play continues starting with the player seated immediately to the left of the dealer. The following options are then available:
Stand. If the players decide their hand is sufficiently strong, they may opt to take no additional action.
Hit. Players may draw additional cards until they either bust or decide to stand.
Double down. If players hands warrants, they may opt to double their current bet and receive one additional card. This option is only offered on the first two cards, and in some cases on the first two cards after splitting.
Split. When a player's first two cards are of equal point value, he may separate them into two hands with each card being the first card of a new hand. To split, the player must make another wager of equal value to the initial wager for the second hand. In cases where another identical point valued card is dealt following the split, re-splitting may be allowed. (Re-splitting aces is often an exception.) When allowed, players may also double down after splitting.
Surrender. In certain versions of blackjack, players may surrender or yield a poor hand on their first two cards, rather than play against a potentially superior hand. Surrendered hands return ½ of the wager to the player.
Once all players have acted, the dealer will then complete his hand. Unlike players, the dealer has no freedom to determine the best course of play and must abide by the house rules which govern all actions. Usually the dealer must hit until his cards reach a total value of 17 or more. In some casinos or game versions, if a dealer is dealt a soft 17 (an ace plus cards totaling six additional points) he must also hit. If the dealer busts, all players active in the hand win automatically.
Basic Strategy
Despite its simplistic premise, blackjack is one of the most difficult games in the casino. But with an extremely low vigorish—sometimes reaching 0.18%—it can also be one of the most profitable. Or at least it is if you master basic strategy.
Although daunting and at times confusing, basic strategy is really nothing more than a breakdown of the optimal way to play every possible situation based on the house's rules, your current hand and the dealer's exposed card. Table A and Table B are a sample basic strategy table for use.
Remember, optimal basic strategy varies with the version of the game you play, and there are tables such as these that outline exactly what action to take given the circumstances. And while they may be challenging to memorize, if making money as a black- jack player is your ultimate goal, there's simply no other option.
Strategies to avoid
A lot of new players can be taken in by seemingly sound strategies that actually have no real place at the tables. Avoid the following dangerously ineffective methods:
Play as the dealer plays. Some people think because the house has an edge on the game that by playing according to the dealer's rules (such as always hitting 16 or less, or never doubling or split- ting) that same edge will apply. Wrong. Remember, the player acts first, and even if both you and the dealer bust, the house wins the hand. Such strategy results in a house edge of approximately 5.5%
Blackjack Wins
Martingale System. Some players advocate an age-old, misguided betting system design ostensibly to guarantee winning. Called the 'Martingale System,' this method requires players to double their bet for every hand following a loss. The theory is that by doubling the bet you will eventually win a hand and recoup any previous losses. Although it sounds powerful, this system is flawed and ineffective, and fails to take into account high-risk bets, a moderately bad run of cards, and table limits.
Never draw to a hand that can bust. Rather than take a card that could break the hand, some players prefer to always stand pat on hard totals of 12 or more. Such play is harmful in the long run and results in a vigorish of approximately 4%.
Blackjack Rules Simple
Although these and many other half-baked strategies may sound good in theory, at best they're mildly innocuous and worst devastating. Stay clear of tricks and systems and stick with basic strategy, the only proven method of minimizing the house's edge.
Blackjack Standard Rules
Variations on a Theme
While the traditional version is often the game of choice among blackjack enthusiasts, there are many other exciting and profitable variants available in both traditional and online casinos. Although the basic premise for each variation is akin to traditional blackjack, each has its own set of rules and strategy.
| GAME | BASIC RULES |
| Blackjack Double Exposure | Offers many of the same traditional black- jack rules except: Both dealer cards are exposed, dealer wins all ties except on a natural blackjack, players may split only once, player blackjack pays 1:1. |
| European Advanced Blackjack | Available in regular and high limit versions. In this double-deck game blackjack pays 3:2, the dealer stands on soft 17, and both double down and split options are available. |
| Spanish Blackjack | Liberal blackjack game. Rules include: multiple 48-card decks (10s are removed from play), player 21 always wins, player blackjack beats dealer blackjack, player may double after splitting, double down rescue, five-card 21 pays 3:2, six-card 21 pays 2:1, and seven-card pays 3:1. |
| Super Fun 21 | Very liberal single deck version of black jack. Rules include: Dealer hits soft 17, player may double after a split, double on any number of cards, late surrender is available, as is double down rescue. Blackjack pays even money. |
