How to Play Blackjack: Rules, Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Basics of Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the easiest games to play at the casino. Of course, it's much harder to be good at blackjack than it is to learn to play, but once you've got the basics down, building on that foundation is a matter of gaining experience and understanding deck probability. 

The aim of blackjack is simple: get a hand with a score as close to 21 as possible without going over, which is called going bust. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer, and you haven't gone past it, you win the game. Blackjack bets are almost always made at 1/1 payout, so you'll get double your stake back if you win.

You figure out the score of your hand by adding the values of each card together. The number cards have their numbered values of 2 through 10. Face cards (J, Q, & K) are all worth 10, and the ace can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on your hand. So, a natural blackjack is a 10 or a face card paired with an ace. 

A normal hand of blackjack plays like this:

1. Everyone at the table places their bets.

2. The dealer deals two cards to all players plus themselves. One of the dealer's cards is dealt face up. 

3. Players then look at their cards and decide whether to keep their hand (stand) or ask for another card (hit). If you go bust by asking for another card, you lose the hand.

4. When the players are finished, the dealer turns the face-down card up and hits or stands according to a predetermined set of rules. 

5. If your hand is higher than the dealer's, you win the game. If you draw, it's called a push, and your bets will be returned. 

If the dealer's face-up card is an ace or a ten, the dealer checks the hole card to see if the dealer has a natural blackjack. If they do, the hand ends. 

If you're dealt two of the same card, you may be allowed to 'split' your hand and instead play two hands. This has the potential to increase your winnings but isn't recommended for beginners as it can be very risky and a little confusing.

When you make your first hit, you can also choose to 'double down.' This will double your bet and get you one additional card and no more. So, you need to be confident that your hand will win with just one hit. 

How to Play Blackjack Online

Playing online makes blackjack a much more streamlined experience. As with most online adaptations of games, the main benefit comes from the computer program showing you additional information which helps to inform your plays. Online play may also be faster, with hard and fast time limits and even purely solo play for an experience that doesn't leave you waiting around for anyone else at the table. 

Placing a bet for online blackjack is as simple as entering the amount you want to wager and hitting bet. But if you're playing in a lobby, you will have to wait until all players have placed their bets to start the game. 

The live dealer version of blackjack can be a little more convoluted, but only in the sense that it follows the real-life version of blackjack. You'll need to make your bets and decide to hit, stand, split and double down through the interface, and then wait for the dealer to act in response to it. 

The very best thing about online blackjack is that there are free trial versions of the game that let you play and practise without wagering any real money in the process. This offers a risk-free opportunity to improve or mess around when you still aren't confident. 

What are the Different Variations of Blackjack?

Since blackjack is such a widespread game, it's unsurprising that there are many variations of the game across the world. Depending on the continent, country and even city you're in, the popular version of blackjack could change! So, let's take a look at the main difference between the most popular blackjack variations:

Classic Blackjack

As you might guess, Classic blackjack is the most basic and popular version of the game. It's the variation we recommend you learn to play first and the version you'll find the most at casinos and online. It usually has the double down and split rules, but no additional bells or whistles. In a casino, it'll usually be played with between six and eight decks in a shoe, but you can find variations of that from casino to casino. 

European Blackjack

This is the blackjack variation played in European casinos, such as in Monaco. While it's very similar to classic blackjack and is played in the same way, there are a handful of additional rules that end up favouring careful players rather than risk-takers. 

The core rule differences are:

• There is no hole card, and the dealer's second card is dealt after all player hands have been determined.

• Splitting doesn't apply to 4's, 5's or 10-value cards.

• The dealer stands on soft 17 but hits on 16

• The dealer always wins if they have blackjack (if the player also has blackjack, this goes to push)

• Players can double down after splitting

• Aces can be split, but players only receive one additional card for each Ace

Vegas Strip Blackjack

As usual, the Vegas Strip feels the need to be unique and have its own game variations. This is hardly a problem though, as we love to see more options. Vegas Strip blackjack has a few core rule changes that greatly reward risk-taking and can facilitate large stakes:

• Winning on blackjack will pay out 3/2 (so £15 profit on a £10 wager)

• The dealer will hit on a soft 17

• Up to four hands can be split, and you can double down on all of them. 

• Aces can only be split once and will only receive one card

Progressive Blackjack

Progressive blackjack doesn't change the rules of the core game, but it instead adds a side bet that you can opt into for an additional £1 (or $1 or €1 or whatever). This side bet will be triggered when you're dealt a specific combination of cards, and if you do trigger it, you'll receive a portion (or all) of the progressive jackpot. The payouts can be different depending on the game/casino, but this is the basic payout chart:

• Four suited aces — Jackpot

• Three suited aces — £2500

• Four aces unsuited — £1500

• Three aces unsuited — £250

• Two suited aces — £100

• Two aces — £25

• All other — 0

Most people say that the blackjack progressive pot is largely a waste of money, but if you're feeling lucky, it could be worth a shot. 

Types of Bets in Blackjack

Blackjack is quite simple in terms of the kinds of bets you can make, but there is still some variation between the main bets and any side bets available. Let's take a closer look:

Main Bets

There are a few main bets you see in just about every blackjack game across the world: standard bet, double down and split. 

• Standard bet — you make this bet before the hands are dealt. Most blackjack hands will pay out at evens when they win, but if you win with a blackjack, it could pay out higher depending on which version you're playing. 

• Double down — a double down bet is when you're confident you can win with one more card, so you double your bet and are dealt one more card. 

• Split — when you split a hand, you add another bet to the game and play two hands. You can only split a two-of-a-kind, and some games restrict which kinds of cards you can split. 

Side Bets

Blackjack has a large range of side bets available depending on what table you're playing. Here are a few of the most common ones you see both at casinos and online:

• Insurance Bets — when the dealer deals up an ace, you can opt into an insurance bet. In this case, you're betting that the dealer has blackjack, as you'll otherwise lose your stake if they do. If the dealer does deal with blackjack, insurance bets pay out 2/1.

• 21+3 — this side bet pays out when your initial two-card hand, in addition to the dealer's face-up card, forms one of a list of combinations in a manner similar to poker. These are flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, suited strait and suited three-of-a-kind. 

• Super Sevens — this will pay out depending on how many sevens you get. The number and the suits will determine the profit line. 

• Match the Dealer — here, you can bet if either of your starting cards matches the dealer's up card. If it matches rank, it'll pay out 4/1, and if it matches suit on top of that, it's 11/1. 

Side bets are an interesting way to spice up your blackjack experience. However, the majority of experts advise staying away from them. The house edge for all of these bets (including insurance) is just too high to justify them, especially for rookies.

Guide to the Blackjack Table

The blackjack table is one of the more simple layouts you'll find at the casino. Unlike craps or roulette, there aren't many bets to make, and the gameplay is quite streamlined. Classic blackjack tables are green and have padding underneath the layout to make handling cards and chips easier. 

There aren't many markings on a blackjack table, which makes it easy to remember. Starting at the players, you have the apron, where the players keep their chips, drinks, and personal belongings. In front of each player is a betting circle (although it can have different shapes), which is where you place your chips to bet. Most blackjack tables have seven betting circles, so they can host seven players at maximum. 

After the circles is the insurance line. This is where you must put your chips to place an insurance side bet, and the line tells you the insurance payout (usually 2/1). Above the line are some basic rules for the table to let you know which type of blackjack you're playing — it'll tell you when the dealer hits or stands and what payout blackjack has, among other things. 

The centre of the table is where the dealer handles and shuffles cards. The dealer's bank of chips is stored here, and some tables will even have drop boxes so the dealer can give you more chips while playing. This is also where the card shoe is, which is the device the decks are kept in. For blackjack, shoes can carry four, six or eight decks. 

This basic blackjack layout doesn't change when you play online, and the game may even feature the details of the table that aren't used when you play against software. Online blackjack replicates the table, so you can click on the various parts of it to interact with the game just as you would in real life. Online blackjack may also provide additional payout information and stats as you play for your convenience. 

What is House Edge?

The house edge is an integral part of the casino-going experience, and you need to understand it in full before setting foot in a casino. 

When we say 'the house always wins,' the house edge is the main thing we're referring to. Casino games have an inbuilt advantage towards the house to ensure it makes money from hosting the games. This ensures the house has enough to pay the dealers, rent and services and still make a profit afterwards. 

Mathematically, the house edge is the percentage of all bets placed on a game that is guaranteed to stay with the house. For online gambling, we usually talk about its direct reverse, 'Return to Player' or RTP. So, games and bets with a smaller house edge (or higher RTP) are more likely to pay out in terms of concrete numbers. 

Blackjack is notorious for having one of the smallest house edges of any casino game, at just 0.5% for most variations. However, this is when you're playing optimally, and the house edge still means that you'll lose more than you win in the long term. 

Tips and Strategies for Beginners

Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games for beginners to get involved with, but it has a steep skill curve the longer you play. While you don't need to become a blackjack expert to have a good time playing (in fact, many people will say learning all the tricks doesn't do a lot for you at a real-life blackjack table), there are still things you can do to better manage your bankroll and make more informed plays. So here's a few tips to help you get started:

Understand basic strategy 

The first thing you should do is understand the basic strategy and probability for blackjack. Don't get caught up in all the tables, but stick to the simple rules. These are:

• If you have a hand of 12-16, stand if the dealer has a 2-6 upcard, and hit when they have a 7-8,

• Always split 8's and Aces,

• Double down on an 11 when the dealer has a 2-10,

• Hit or double down when you have an ace plus an ace-6.

Ignore insurance and side bets

While blackjack side bets can look appealing, most stats show that they're some of the worst investments you can make at the casino. These side bets just have too high of a house edge to be reliable in any way. Newbies shouldn't be going for them at all, and experienced players only if they're feeling lucky or have a large bankroll.

Consider the dealer's face-up card

Often, the dealer's up card will tell you a lot about what could happen subsequently, which will inform what you choose to do next. See the above simple strategy tips, but an example would be standing on a 12-16 when the dealer has a 2-6 up card. Often, when the banker has a hand with a small value card, the hitting rules can lead to the banker going bust.

Start with small bets 

If you're just starting out, keep your risks low by limiting the amount that you choose to bet. While you're still getting used to the game and learning the basic rules, making smaller bets will help keep needless losses low and your bankroll going for longer.

Stick to budget and avoid overspending

Any experienced gambler can tell you that one of the most important factors to enjoying yourself with casino gaming is to manage your bankroll responsibly and come away without those intense feelings of regret. Chasing losses will rarely end well, so you should learn when to step away for your mental and financial health. 

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• The Best Online Casinos in the UK

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• How to Play Baccarat Online

• How to Play Poker Online

Responsible Gambling

Blackjack may be a classic game, but it's still important to play it in moderation. Thanks to how accessible it is, it's particularly easy to lose yourself while playing! This is why it's so important to ensure you're engaging in responsible gambling habits and making use of any tools available to you. 

There are many resources available for people looking to take control of their gambling, but we have a few simple tips you can use today to get you started:

• Set a deposit limit — All online casinos in the UK will let you set a hard limit on how much you deposit into your account to help you maintain a healthy budget. Some gambling websites also allow you to set other limits, like loss, time and wagering limits. Take a look at the limits available on your favourite online casino and employ one today.

• Track your habits — It's easier to control your habits once you understand them. If you can, take physical note of your behaviours and mark down how much you spend on a playing session, and when they take place. This sort of information can help you see when you're most likely to go over budget and help mitigate it. Many gambling sites will have a feature like this built in.

• Turn to friends and family — It's a well-known fact that we're more likely to stick to new habits when we have someone holding us accountable, so we recommend turning to someone close to help keep you on the right track. 

• Contact a helpline — if you suspect you have a problem or you need a little advice, you can contact one of the many helplines or online resources to speak with an expert.