How to play online blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most common card games in the gambling world. Moreover, it is also one of the simplest card games for you to learn how to play. Don’t worry if you’ve never played before. This very simple step by step guide to how to play online blackjack will teach you the basics, and have you playing online blackjack in no time at all.

Betting

Before any cards are dealt, and before we go into the even basics of the game, you’ll need to place a bet. Blackjack is not complicated when it comes to betting. Online blackjack always features chips, and they will often be at the bottom of your screen. Simply click on the chips you wish to stake, to place a bet that falls somewhere between the minimum and maximum limits of the table.

The deal

After placing your bet, the game will deal two cards, two to the dealer’s hand, and two to yours. One of the dealer’s cards will be shown face up, unless you are playing a specific blackjack variant. The cards you are dealt form your first hand, and depending on what you have, you may consider taking a third card, or more.

The value of the cards

In blackjack, only the values of the cards count, not the suits. Each card displays a points total based on its numerical value. For instance, a Three of Clubs is worth 3 points, and a Five of Hearts is worth 5 points, etc. All cards are worth their numerical value in points. Face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are all worth 10 points. Aces can be worth either 1 point or 11 points, depending on what you need.

Playing blackjack

The objective in blackjack is first and foremost to get a better scoring hand than the dealer’s hand. You must do this without going over the magic number of 21 points. The player has blackjack if they have an ace and a face card, or an ace and a ten. Having a blackjack instantly sees you win, unless the dealer also has blackjack.

The player may decide to take more than their first two cards, to get their points total up. They can keep doing this as long as they do not exceed the total of 21 points. Should they go over 21 points, they are bust and lose the game. Taking a new card is known as “hitting”, whilst sticking with the hand you have is known as “standing”.

The dealer will often take another card if they have 16 or less, whilst if they have 17 or higher, they will stand. The dealer will also stand on a “soft 17”, which means they have an ace and any other number of cards adding up to six. Other rules can also be used to your advantage in most blackjack games.

Doubling Down

Under certain conditions (varying from game to game), the player may double their original bet whilst playing. When they do this, they will get one more card. They can only take just the one extra card when doubling down.

Splitting

A player may also choose to split during gameplay in certain blackjack games. Should they have a pair, the player can double their bet and split the pair into two separate hands. New cards will then be dealt to each of the hands. If player split aces, then they are only entitled to add one more card to each hand. Some blackjack games dictate that you cannot double after a split, or that you cannot re-split (to form three or more hands). These rules vary from game to game.

Insurance bets

If you can see that one of the dealer’s first cards is an Ace, then in many blackjack games you are entitled to take an insurance bet. This side-bet basically dictates that you believe the dealer has a blackjack. If they do, you will win an insurance pay-out no matter how the game goes.

Pay-Outs

Should the player win that insurance bet, then they will pocket wins of 2:1. Winning a standard blackjack game is worth a pay-out of 1:1, whilst winning with blackjack pays 3:2. In the event of a tie, the hand is a push and your bet is returned to you.