Blackjack has remained one of the most popular card games for centuries now, having evolved from one of the earliest known European card games. Its simple core concept paired with an element of player decision-making and the random draw of the cards makes it clear why this game is such a casino staple.
But before you join a game of online Blackjack it’s important to understand the rules and the basic gameplay mechanics involved in a game. That’s why we’re here today to walk you through everything you need to know about online Blackjack.
The Blackjack basics
Before we can get into any more technical aspects of the game, we first need to lay down the groundwork of what to expect from a game of Blackjack. Starting with the objective – getting a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s without going any higher than that.
At the start of a game each player is dealt two cards, as well as the dealer. Play proceeds around the table with players choosing whether to take additional cards on their turn or whether they want to keep their hand at its current value.
If a hand value ever goes over 21 that’s known as going bust, which can happen to the players but also the dealer. In games where the dealer goes bust, all remaining active hands receive a payout.
Each card in the deck has a specific value from one to ten, except for Aces. These can be worth either one or 11, depending on which value will benefit the hand the most.
Blackjack terminology to know
The options that players have on their turn all have specific names, and are an essential component of the game to understand. These are:
- Hit – where the player asks for an additional card. There’s no limit on how many times a player can hit, but once their hand value exceeds 21, their turn will automatically end.
- Stand – where the player decides to keep their hand at its current value, ending their turn.
- Double down – where a player doubles their original wager in exchange for just one more card. This option is only available at the start of their turn when they have just the two initial cards in their hand.
- Split – where a player divides their hand into two separate hands, with each then played individually. This is only permitted when the two initial cards are of the same value.
- Surrender – where a player gives up half their wager in exchange for withdrawing their hand. This option is only available in some versions.
The dealer’s rules
Separate to the players, the dealer in a game of Blackjack is generally bound by very specific rules on how their hand is played. Once every player in the game has finished their turn, the dealer must follow a set order of actions.
Once the dealer has revealed the second card, making up their initial hand, they are required to hit it until their hand reaches a value of at least 17. This creates the chance for them to go bust, unless their initial hand value was on the higher end.
When the dealer’s hand hits a value of 17 or more, they must stand, adding no additional cards to their hand.
At this point the value of the dealer’s hand will be compared against those of each remaining player, determining the results of the game.
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Getting to grips with the basic rules of online Blackjack is simple, as players mainly need to understand the options available on their turn. But there’s always more to explore when it comes to the gameplay of Blackjack.
