Since the starting days of physical casinos, blackjack has been one of the most common games available at the tables. To this day, it remains one of the most beginner-friendly casino games and a fan favourite at both online platforms and physical gambling establishments.
The popularity likely comes because of blackjack’s unique characteristics that require a bit of strategy and knowledge combined with luck if you want to win. However, learning blackjack basics doesn’t take much time, and even beginners can start to develop strategies shortly after getting introduced to the game.
This article will serve as your beginner’s guide to blackjack, since below we’ll go over the rules and help you learn how to play blackjack today!
Objective of Blackjack
Before we get into any of the specifics, let’s go over blackjack basics that you must know before you approach the table. The main goal of the game is quite clear: get to 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over the limit. You’ll be playing against the dealer, and at the beginning of the round, each of the players will receive two cards. At that moment, you get to decide if you want to ‘hit’, which means draw additional cards, or ‘stand’, which means you’re satisfied with your current hand and want no more additions.
If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, they ‘bust’, and you win the hand. If you’re the one with more than 21 in your hands, you ‘bust’ and lose your stake. Blackjack rules also state that if neither of the players busts, the one closer to 21 wins.
Understanding Card Values
Before we can claim you know how to play blackjack, we need to go over blackjack card values. These will determine your final count and whether you win or lose the round. Here are the values you should remember before you start playing blackjack:
- Number Cards (2 through 10): These cards carry their face value; 2 is worth 2 points, 7 is worth 7 points, and so on.
- Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): These don’t have the same value as in some other card games. Instead, each face card adds 10 points to the total.
- Aces: The Aces are there to help you create a winning hand, so you can alter their value between 1 and 11 and count the one that suits you better.
The Rules of Play
Let’s go over blackjack rules and how the game evolves as you start a hand. Firstly, both you and the dealer will receive two cards. Both of your cards will be revealed, while the dealer will only show one card, keeping the other one face-down. Once the cards are dealt, you’ll need to take action. Here are your options:
- Hitting: If you feel like another card will get you closer to 21, but not over, you should ‘hit’. If you keep getting cards with low value, you can keep hitting for as long as you like unless you bust. If you want to stop hitting, your move should be ‘stand’.
- Standing: Once you feel like your cards have stacked up enough value to beat whatever the dealer has coming, your move should be ‘stand’. If you make this move, the dealer will proceed to reveal their second card and proceed until they beat your hand or bust.
- Splitting: The option to split only appears when you are dealt two cards with identical values. If this happens, you can split the hand into two separate hands. Two 8s are often the hand that players split, as they give you a decent chance for a win.
- Doubling Down: Doubling down is reserved for special occasions. This move doubles your bet and guarantees you’ll hit only one more time. Mostly, this move is made when a player has 10 or 11 and hopes for another face card to come up.
While learning how to play blackjack, you’ll notice that dealers follow specific rules. For example, they will always hit their hand until hitting at least 17, and once they bust, all remaining players win the round.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
Firstly, you should remember that blackjack is relatively easy to understand, and you’ll likely have no issue picking up the game after a short time. To win, you’ll have to have a bit of luck, but still, you should learn basic blackjack strategy in order to increase your odds of winning.
One of the first beginner blackjack tips that we could share is to not get greedy and aim for 21 when you already have a high-value hand. In cases when your first two cards add up to 17 or more, most players would advise standing. This removes the risk of busting, with a decent chance of beating the dealer’s hand.
Of course, you can’t rely on the dealer to bust each time, and you’ll need a decent hand value before you can stand. Hitting on 11 or less is a no-brainer since there’s no risk of busting, so don’t forget to make this move.
With more complicated card pairs, a bit more strategy is required. For example, if you land double Aces or double 8s, we would advise to split. This will give you a better chance of improving with additional cards.
What are the Key Blackjack Terms to Know?
While you spend time at the tables, you’ll hear a few blackjack terms we still haven’t explained. To better inform you about specific blackjack rules, we’ve included this section. Here are a few essentials you’ll need to know about while playing blackjack:
- Push: This happens when you and the dealer have the same card values in a hand. When a ‘push’ happens, no one wins the round and your money is returned.
- Bust: This is what you wish to avoid. Why play blackjack if your hands keep busting? Going over 21 is called a ‘bust’ and whoever this happens to loses the round.
- Insurance: Insurance is one of the more advanced blackjack benefits that you likely shouldn’t try at the beginning of your gambling journey. It is essentially a side bet saved for instances when the dealer’s first card is an Ace. With insurance, you increase the house edge but get a safety net if the second card turns out to have a value of 10.
Why Blackjack Is Popular
Blackjack’s popularity stems from its straightforward gameplay and the low house edge, which gives players a better chance of winning than many other casino games. For beginners, blackjack is easy to learn yet offers enough depth to keep the game interesting and rewarding. With time and practice, players can build on the basic strategies to improve their gameplay and make more strategic decisions.
Blackjack is a fantastic starting point for anyone new to the casino, thanks to its mix of simplicity, strategy, and the potential for excitement with every hand. Start with these basics, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the game.
The best way to get comfortable with blackjack is to visit Unibet UK and start practising. The more you play, the more you’ll gain confidence and a feel for the game’s rhythm. With these basics in mind, you’re set to enjoy blackjack fully and discover why it’s a favourite for players around the world. Hopefully, this beginner’s guide to blackjack helped you understand the basics, and sets you off on an incredible winning journey.
