How to play Blackjack online
Blackjack is a classic card game that has remained a favourite in both land-based and online casinos due to its simple rules and gameplay.
If you’re new to playing Blackjack online or want to brush up on the basics, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know before sitting opposite the dealer either in a computerised or live Blackjack online game.
Understanding the basics of Blackjack
The main objective of Blackjack is to beat the dealer by having a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. The game uses one or more decks of standard playing cards, and each card has a point value:
- Number cards (two-10): Worth their face value.
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): Each worth 10 points.
- Ace: Can be worth one or 11 points, depending on which value is more beneficial for your hand.
How to play a hand of Blackjack
When you start a game of Blackjack online, you’ll place a bet before any cards are dealt. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens next:
- Initial deal: Both you and the dealer receive two cards. Your cards are dealt face up, while the dealer has one card face up, the upcard, and one face down card.
- Player’s turn: You’ll have several options to choose from, depending on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. These include:
- Hit: Take another card. You can continue hitting until you either stand or your hand value exceeds 21 (which results in a bust, meaning you lose the round).
- Stand: Keep your current hand and end your turn.
- Double down: Double your initial bet and receive exactly one more card before standing.
- Split: If your first two cards are of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands, each with its own bet. Each hand is then played separately.
- Surrender: In some versions of Blackjack, you can forfeit half of your bet and end the round immediately after the initial deal.
- Dealer’s turn: After you complete your turn, the dealer reveals their down card.The dealer must follow a set of rules: they must hit until their hand totals 17 or more and stand once they reach 17.
- Outcome: The winner is determined as follows:
- If your hand exceeds 21: You bust and lose the round.
- If the dealer busts: You win.
- If neither busts: The hand closest to 21 wins. If you and the dealer have the same hand value, it’s a push (a tie), and your bet is returned.
Live Blackjack
Playing live Blackjack online offers you the chance to play with a real life dealer, streamed right to your chosen device. The rules and gameplay are the same as they would be in a land-based casino.
Blackjack variations
There are several variations of Blackjack available online, each with slight differences in rules:
- Classic Blackjack: The standard version with the basic rules described above.
- European Blackjack: Similar to classic Blackjack, but the dealer only receives one card at the start and the second card after the player has played their hand.
- Progressive Blackjack: Offers a side bet with a chance to win a progressive jackpot.
