how to play blackjack at a casino

Blackjack is one of the most strategic and player-friendly games in the casino. Blackjack is among the rare casino games in which strategy can make a real difference. When playing Blackjack, the most important element of your strategy is that you ultimately make the mathematically correct move given your cards and the dealer’s upcard.

You will initially be dealt two face up cards, with the blackjack casino dealer having one card face up and one card face down. If you are lucky enough to have your initial two cards score 21 (for example, you are holding an ace and a king), you are counted as having "blackjack". This gives you permission to jump up and down and celebrate as you win the hand and receive a payout of 3/2 on your bet. However, stall the celebration until the blackjack casino dealer has revealed his hand.

The player has the option to surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack, and recoup half their original bet. A surrender can occur when the house permits a player to fold their original hand before drawing any extra cards. When this happens, half of the player’s original bet is returned, and those cards are withdrawn from that play. Remember, once a surrender is actioned, that player takes no further part in the hand – even if the dealer goes bust. If the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, they will ask if any players want insurance – a side bet of up to half the original bet which pays out at 2 to 1.

Just have the Dealer shuffle the deck each hand or after two or three hands depending on the number of people playing. The maximum bet is usually half of what the player wagered initially. Insurance is available before the dealer reveals their hole card. All other Players, including the Dealer, will flip their cards to demonstrate if they also were dealt a natural. If a Player and a Dealer were both dealt a natural, it is considered a “push” and no wagers are awarded.

Home Games vs Casino

how to play blackjack at a casino

Blackjack is a favorite among online and in-person casino goers, and this comes as no surprise thanks to the card game’s simplicity and high RTP. The card face determines the value and visibility of the cards during gameplay. Basic strategy won’t make you a guaranteed winner, but it cuts down the house edge significantly, giving you a fighting chance.

Popular Side Bets

If you have an Ace and a 6, for instance, you can add those cards as either 7 or 17, which makes it easier to determine whether you should hit or stand. There are many instances where you shouldn’t Hit in blackjack—with deciding to Stand on any hard 17 or better as the most obvious option. With hard totals of 13 through 16, you should also Stand against a dealer’s 2s through 6s.

While the standard spots available are seven, some have as little as five, while others have as many as 12 spots. You and the other players will sit on the rounded side of the table while the dealer will stand behind the flat side of the table. Blackjack is a game that’s thought to have originated in the 17th century, as records show French casinos offering a game called vingt-et-un (translating to ‘21’) in that era. Others believe that it originated from the Romans, who played the https://mericola.com/ game using wooden blocks.

One of the worlds most popular Casino games

While getting to a physical casino can be difficult for some, the good news is that we have the next best thing, online casinos. At an online casino, you can still play blackjack live, thanks to live dealers. By now you already know that there is a lot more strategy involved in blackjack, especially compared to other casino games. One quick internet search and you’ll find that every man and their dog has a thought on what the best online blackjack betting strategies are.

  • Once the Dealer’s final total is decided, the hand has ended.
  • A split is a move which can be made if your hand contains two cards of equal value.
  • After the dealer’s hand is resolved the dealer pays out winning bets.
  • If you choose to gamble, do so for entertainment, not profit.
  • This rule variation eliminates the dealer’s option to check for blackjack immediately, which slightly increases the house edge.

For example, if you have a hand totaling 12, you should choose to hit. From the deck of cards to the betting layout, every element is designed to keep the game smooth and fair. In this section, I’ll walk you through the basics of the table layout, the role of the dealer, and what to expect when you’re ready to play. The rules of blackjack are to get as close to 21 as possible and beat the dealer. The cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value, and face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are also worth 10. A pair of 8s gives you the dreaded 16, and by splitting these you are banking on at least one face card showing up to give you a good hand.

Likewise, don’t settle for a score of 16 when you can split the 8s and raise your total without busting. Not all tables will allow a surrender – so always check the table rules. Remember that the goal of the game is not simply to get as close to 21 as possible but to beat the dealer and win as much as possible.

After bbc.co.uk all players have finished their hands the dealer’s turn begins as the dealer reveals the dealer’s hole card and plays according to these fixed rules. The dealer’s hand is played out until they get 17+ or bust by going over 21. After the dealer’s hand is resolved the dealer pays out winning bets.