Blackjack
Online Blackjack is an extremely popular Casino game where players are dealt a series of cards in an attempt to get as close to or make 21. In this game players who are able to accumulate a good run of wins can build their bankroll very quickly indeed. The main object of the game is knowing when to ‘hit’ and when to ‘stick’. In Blackjack players try to beat the dealer in a number of ways. They can do so by:
- Being dealt a ‘blackjack’, which is simply an Ace with a 10 or any picture card (Jack, Queen or King). The Ace is worth 11 in this case and the 10 and picture cards are worth 10. Together making 21.
- Making 21 with any sequence of as many cards as you want the dealer to deal to you.
- Getting a higher score than the dealer without going ‘bust’ (when a player scores higher than 21)
Players can stick whenever they wish, however the dealer must continue to deal himself cards up to 16 regardless of your score and may only stick on 17 or above. Blackjack can be a team game where players try to beat the dealer or it can be played one-on-one against the dealer.
In Blackjack the cards get dealt from a little box on the side of the table called a shoe. There are 4 to 6 packs of cards active at any point of a game. In online games the cards are not shuffled, they are randomly generated by the casino database which must adhere to the same odds as any land based Casino.
When the player places their bet the dealer will deal them 2 cards face up. Depending on the type of online Casino you play at the Dealer may deal himself just one card face up, or 2 cards one face up and one face down. Once the player has finished playing their hand the Dealer will then reveal the card which is facing down and draw any further cards.
If playing in a table with other players the action will move from player to player until someone sticks or busts. The Dealer is the last to act.
Doubling
You can double your bet whenever the online Dealer prompts you to do so (usually when you have 9, 10 or 11). When you double, however, you are only allowed to be dealt one more card. It’s risky but if the dealer has a low card (e.g. 6) it means they will have to draw at least twice and your odds of doubling your stake increase.
Splitting
When you are dealt two cards of equal value (e.g. 10, 10) you have the choice of whether to play the hand as it is or whether to split them into two independent hands. If you do this you have to bet your initial bet to cover the second hand. The player then gets the chance to draw cards on both hands to make 2 winning hands instead of one. If splitting Aces the players only gets 1 more card with no ‘blackjacks’ available. You can carry on splitting cards if you get another card of the same value being dealt on the first split. Remember there are 4 to 6 packs in play so this is quite likely to happen.
Blackjack Odds
A winning hand in Blackjack is paid even money. This means that if you stake £1 you win your stake plus £1 = £2. If you get a ‘blackjack’ it pays 3 to 2. This means that if you stake £1 you win your stake plus £1.50 = £2.50.
Blackjack Insurance
You can get insurance if the dealer has an Ace. This is a side bet (exactly half your stake) you place to protect your stake in case the dealer draws a ‘blackjack’. Sometimes insurance is not worth it and you must ultimately decide whether to get it or not. Insurance pays 2-1.