Blackjack

Blackjack: The King of Casino Table Games

Blackjack reigns supreme as the most popular casino table game, readily available at virtually all online casinos. Its relatively low house edge and manageable variance make it a smart choice for bonus play (where permitted).

Gameplay and Rules

Card values in Blackjack determine hand totals. For instance, a 4, 5, and 6 total 15. Face cards are worth 10, and Aces flexibly count as either 1 or 11 (an Ace and a 7 can be 8 or 18). The goal? Achieve the highest hand total without exceeding 21 (a "bust" resulting in an automatic loss). A 21 from two cards is a coveted Blackjack, the highest-ranking hand, paying a generous 3:2 bonus. Other winning hands pay 1:1.

After betting, both player and dealer receive two cards; one of the dealer's cards is revealed. Standard rules dictate a dealer peek for Blackjack if their up-card is an Ace or a 10-point card. An Ace up-card offers the player "insurance" (a side bet paying 2:1 if the dealer's hidden card completes a Blackjack). However, insurance is generally disadvantageous for the player (house edge of 2-15%, varying by deck and played cards), except in specific scenarios (tens-rich decks, card counting in multi-hand games). Refer to specialized resources for exceptions. If the dealer has Blackjack, the hand concludes. Otherwise, the player makes their move.

Player Options:

• Stand: Keep your current hand.
• Hit: Draw another card (repeatedly until reaching 21 or busting).
• Double: Double your bet and draw one more card (hand ends after this card). Doubling is only allowed on a two-card hand.
• Split: If holding two cards of equal value, split them into two separate hands, doubling your bet (one bet per hand). Receive an additional card for each new hand. Splitting Aces ends the hand after the second card; other splits allow hitting, standing, or doubling on each resulting hand, potentially allowing a second split.

Strategic Play

Despite complex rules, optimal Blackjack strategy is surprisingly straightforward. Unlike some games, there are no strategic choices regarding which cards to take; the core decision is whether to hit or stand. There's no card selection.

Screenshot