Blackjack Rules: How to Play Blackjack at the Casino

Please welcome blackjack – casino entertainment, loved for its simplicity, fast-paced action, and the element of strategy! Whether you’re playing online or in a land-based casino, understanding the rules is essential to improving your game and boosting your chances of winning. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basic rules of the game, so you can start playing confidently at the Mr Bet Casino.

Objective of Blackjack

The primary game objective is to beat your opponent (the dealer) by having a hand that totals closer to 21 without going over. You compete only against the dealer, not other players at the table. If your hand totals higher than the one of your opponent without exceeding 21, you win.

Basic Blackjack Rules

Never play a game whose rules you do not understand. Read this section for an education session and start the action afterward!

The Cards and Their Values

It is not a secret that not all the games share the same rules in terms of card value, which is why finding out what it is like for online blackjack is essential.

• Number Cards (2-10): Each card is worth its face value (e.g., a 5 is worth 5 points);
• Face Cards (J, Q, K): All face cards with no exception are worth 10 points;
• Aces: An Ace has a changeable nature, meaning it is worth either 1 point or 11 points. It depends on which option is better for you.

The Setup

Blackjack is usually played with 1 to 8 decks of standard 52-card decks, depending on the casino or table you’re playing at.The game starts with each player placing their bet in the betting area.

Dealing the Cards

After all bets are taken, players and the dealer get two cards. However, there are some points you should remember:

• Players’ cards: You can see the value of both cards;
• Dealer’s cards: You can see only one card that faces up (it is called the upcard), while the other card is hidden (it is called the hole card).

Blackjack (Natural 21)

If your first two cards are an Ace and a 10-value card (10, J, Q, or K), you have a blackjack, which is an automatic win unless the dealer also has it. If both you and your opponent have 21, the round ends in a push (tie), and your bet is returned.

Blackjack (21) usually pays 3:2, meaning if you bet $20, you win $30. However, some tables may offer a lower payout of 6:5.

Player Options

After the initial hands are dealt, it is up to players must decide how they will play their cards. You have the following options:

• Hit: If you hope to improve your hand total, you can opt for this option to take another card. You can continue to hit as many times as you like; however, if your card total exceeds 21, you bust, and the dealer wins the round automatically.
• Stand: You can stand if you’re satisfied with your hand total and do not want to take additional cards. When you stand, your opponent plays their hand next.
• Double Down: If you feel confident about your hand, you can choose this option, meaning you double your original bet and get another card. Having doubled down once, you cannot hit again. This option is usually best when you have a total of 9, 10, or 11 and the dealer is showing a weak upcard.
• Split: If you’re dealt a pair that stands for 2 cards of the same rank, you can turn them into two separate card combinations by placing one more bet equal to your original one. Each hand is then played individually. Splitting Aces, for example, gives you a better chance of drawing a 10-value card for a strong hand. However, you are often allowed only one extra card for each Ace if you split Aces.
• Surrender: Depending on the casino, you can surrender your hand if you feel it’s too weak to beat the dealer. By surrendering, you lose half of your bet and end your participation in the round. This is typically used when you have very poor starting cards and the dealer has a strong upcard.

Dealer’s Turn

Once all players have acted on their hands, the dealer reveals the card that was hidden originally and plays according to specific rules:

• If the dealer’s hand totals 16 or less, they must hit until they reach at least 17;
• If the dealer’s hand totals 17 or more, they must stand.

In some casinos, the dealer will hit on a soft 17 (a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11, such as Ace + 6), while others require the dealer to stand on all 17s.

Winning and Payouts

You win the round if:

• Your hand total is closer to 21 than the one of your opponent without exceeding 21;
• The dealer busts by going over 21, and your hand did not bust.

If you win, you are paid out at 1:1 (even money), meaning if you bet $10, you win $10.

Insurance

When the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, you can go for the insurance – a side bet. It protects against the dealer having 21. You can place an insurance bet of up to half your original wager. If the dealer does have blackjack, insurance pays out at 2:1. However, insurance is generally considered a poor bet for players and is best avoided unless you’re card counting. However, keep in mind that this approach is impossible when you play online due to the peculiarities of computerized card shuffling, which makes this bet even riskier for you.

Push

A push occurs if both you and the opponent have the same hand total. In this case, your bet is returned, and no one wins or loses.

House Edge in Blackjack

The house edge can vary depending on the specific rules of the game. For standard one, the casino edge can be as low as 0.5% if you follow a basic strategy. Factors such as the number of decks, payout for 21 points, whether the dealer hits on soft 17, and the availability of doubling down or splitting can influence it.

Tips for Playing Blackjack

Here are some tips to help improve your gaming sessions:

• Learn Basic Strategy: Memorize the basic strategy chart, which tells you the mathematically optimal decision for every hand combination;
• Avoid Side Bets: Side bets like insurance or perfect pairs usually have a much higher house edge than the main game, so it’s better to avoid them;
• Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget for your session and stick to it. Don’t increase your bet sizes drastically after losses or winnings.
• Look for Favorable Rules: Find tables with favorable rules, such as a 3:2 payout for 21, the dealer standing on all 17s, and the opportunity to double down on any pairs.

It Is Time to Play Blackjack!

Blackjack is a fun and strategic casino game that offers players some of the best odds in comparison to other games. By understanding the basic blackjack rules and following optimal strategies, you can reduce the house edge and improve your chances of winning. Whether you’re playing online at the Mr Bet Casino or in a live setting, now that you know the rules, you’re ready to hit the tables and enjoy the excitement of the game!