Blackjack is among the most popular and classic gambling games. The aim is for you to hit the number twenty-one, also commonly known as 21. Its appeal is down to the excitement and easy-to-play rules.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the French game Vingt-et-Un, known simply as Twenty-One, inspired what was the start of blackjack as we know it. French colonists brought Twenty-One to North America in the 18th century. In the late 19th to early 20th century, gambling houses were the first to call the game Blackjack.
It is believed to have come from bonus payouts for hands containing a blackjack (jack of spades or clubs) and an ace of spades. The modern blackjack rules, including the dealer standing on 17, were established as the game became popular in Nevada casinos in the 1930s.
It is now a top-player option and is as popular as ever with players at Betswap.
How to Play Blackjack
There’s one primary goal when playing the game. That is to beat the dealer to a hand value of 21 or closer to it without going over and busting. If you play it at home with friends, you only need to use one pack of cards. At casinos, it varies from two to eight, with an average of around six packs. The fewer packs, the better for you, as you can remain informed on cards used that can make a difference, like Aces and high-value ones.
Another vital aspect to understand is the value of the cards and payouts. A face card, such as the king, queen, or jack, is worth 10, while any card with a number between 2 and 10 holds its face value. Aces can count for either 1 or 11, whichever is most beneficial and helps you get closer to 21.
Rules of Blackjack
Knowing the basic rules helps before playing blackjack. We’ve included a step-by-step guide from placing your first bet on the table to the outcome.
- The first step is to place your bets using the chips with various values. Once all bets are accepted, the live dealer, also known as a croupier, will deal the cards.
- They always deal clockwise, starting with the player closest to them. Each player receives two cards, both face up. They also deal themselves two cards; however, only one is shown, with the other face down.
- Four betting options are available. You can choose to hit at this stage, taking another card to help you get closer to 21. Or you can stand and end your turn. It’s possible to double down and receive just one more card. The last is to split with two of the same value cards, with an extra wager required but two separate hands in play.
- It is now the dealer’s turn who will turn over their face-down card. They must keep taking cards until they reach 17, where most blackjack rules state they must stand.
- You win if you are left with a hand no higher than 21 and better than the dealer’s. If it’s lower or over 21, you lose. If you have the same value, it’s called a Push, and you receive your original wager back.
Top Blackjack Tips
- You should always hit if you have an 8 or lower, stand on hard (fixed value) 17s or higher, and hit on 12 – 16 if the dealer has a 7 or higher.
- You can double down if you have a total hand of 10 or 11. A dealer with a 2 to 6 upcard with a soft (flexible) 16 to 18 and a 3 to 6 downcard is perfect for a double down on 9.
- Splitting 8s and Aces is always a good strategy, but never 10s or 5. Divide 4’s if the dealer’s card has a value of 5-6 and 9’s if the dealer’s card has a value of 2-9, except for 7’s.
Why Blackjack Is Popular
Blackjack’s popularity can stem from it having easy-to-grasp rules, which will suit complete newbies. More confident players who’ve been playing for a while and understand the rules use various strategies, offering them a solid game choice.
Players who understand the ins and outs of card combinations can use their knowledge to make wise decisions and increase their winning odds over the long term. Many established players will also use strategies, including charts and betting systems. One such system is the Martingale. However, this is only recommended for players who have experience and understand the risk involved.
If you play blackjack at a land site, you can interact with the other players and perhaps even make new friends. In turn, it creates a fun and social activity and entertainment experience. If you play online live blackjack only, you can chat with other players through the in-game chat features. The dealer who manages the game will also talk, answering any questions you may have or engage in general chit-chat. It’s also possible to play non-live options online at Betswap, which provides an entertainment experience against a computerised dealer.
For beginners or more cautious players, the wagers start from around $0.10, a perfect entry point. Some games have bets where you can place up to $10,000 a wager, which will suit high rollers and risk takers.
Once you become a blackjack pro and start using strategies like card counting and thinking about incorporating side bets, the payout potential can increase significantly. There is a chance for large payouts possible.
Conclusion
With simple rules, fun gameplay, social aspects, and the chance to win real money, blackjack offers entertainment and endless excitement. It’s a game that people of all abilities can play and enjoy, with a variety of options out there to consider.
If you’re ready to try it out, get set to take a seat at the blackjack table and play online today with Betswap!