Have you ever wanted to know how to play blackjack, or 21? It’s a game with many different names and quite a few different rules. However, learning how to play blackjack is more straightforward than you might expect, especially if you’re used to playing more complex card games such as baccarat.
So, to help you along, we’ve written this uncomplicated guide on how to play blackjack for beginners. We won’t be running through any of the strategies, as this is a game of luck, and you should never chase wins or losses, but what we will run through are the ways that you can make the most of the game and the crucial rules to brush up on.
Our blackjack tips for beginners will help you get accustomed to the classic table game so that you can start playing online or in real life.
Aim of the game
Blackjack rules revolve around the number 21. You and your dealer each get a hand of cards, with two cards turned to face you, and the aim is to get as close to a total of 21 as possible.
Don’t worry; it’s extremely rare that you’ll make 21 straight away. That’s why you can keep ‘hitting’ or taking new cards to get you as close as possible to the number. However, exceed that number, and you’re ‘bust’ and out of the game.
Beyond making 21, the aim is to beat the dealer. If the dealer gets closer to 21 than you, then the house wins. If they go bust, then you win.
There’s a little more nuance to the rules than this, but these are the absolute basics. There are various side bets and moves you can make mid-play, depending on how you read it.
So, to recap – you need your hand to get as close to a total of 21 as possible and not exceed that.
Blackjack basic rules
Let’s explore some more of the basic blackjack rules in detail.
At the start of the game, you and your dealer will receive a hand each, and you need to calculate the total of your cards dealt. In most cases, aces are high and low, meaning that they’re worth one and 11. Face cards, meanwhile, are worth ten each.
If your hand comes close to 21 – for example, if you draw a queen and an eight, worth 18 – then you might choose to stick or stand. This means that you don’t risk drawing another card and pass play over to the dealer. However, if they get a total closer to 21 which is higher than 18, you lose.
Things start to get a little tricky if you draw what’s called a ‘soft’ hand. A soft hand refers to a total that includes an ace, and it’s typically used to describe the ‘soft 17’. A soft 17 is, in practice, an ace and a six – which means that it can either be worth 17 or seven.
Soft hands give you a little more leeway because, unlike ‘hard 17’, if you go bust, you can simply count the ace as worth one.
The rules for the dealer here can vary. If you’re playing an ‘H17’ game, then they must hit on their hand if they make this total (i.e., draw another card). If you’re playing an ‘S17’ game, then the dealer must stand on 17 and draw all the way up to 16.
Don’t worry if these blackjack rules sound confusing, if you’re playing in UK casinos, you normally play S17 games by default.
If you draw a total of 21 from your first hand or first two cards, you score blackjack. This is achievable with a face card and an ace, but it’s rare.
The odds on each bet in blackjack will vary depending on the style of 21 game you play, and the side bets involved. However, you can expect wins where you are closer to 21 than the dealer to be around 1:1, and blackjack claims to pay 3:2.
The rules and odds will vary depending on the table layout – and this takes us neatly on to the next section of this guide.
Understanding blackjack table layout
Now that you know a bit about how to play blackjack, it’s time to look closely at the table. The typical layout of a blackjack table will have the following:
- Spaces for player and dealer cards
- Space for the remaining deck(s)
- Information regarding odds
- Spaces for other players’ cards
- Information regarding insurance (more on this below)
- Information regarding whether a dealer stands on 17
You’ll notice that we mention players rather than just one player here. This is because at most blackjack tables, you play alongside others while the dealer works from one hand.
This doesn’t mean that it’s a multiplayer game, however. Blackjack tables have space for others who play with the same dealer, but you’re not competing.
With most online blackjack games (non-live), you’ll be the sole player at the table and will have all the information you need to play laid out on the table.
At the table’s edge, you’ll have access to chips, which you use to place bet amounts. You can click or tap the table in front to place bets.
When playing blackjack online, you’ll typically have access to a variety of other menus that break down options and bets further for you.
Blackjack gameplay
Now that you know how to play blackjack, let’s look at how the game usually plays out, whether at the table or if you’re playing online:
- Start by selecting the blackjack game you’d like to join or the table you’d like to play at.
- Then, place your bet(s). You can do this by placing chips on the table in front of you. If you’re playing online, you can typically start by clicking or tapping ‘place bets.’
- Your dealer then hands you two cards, face up. The dealer also has one card face up – but it’s your turn to play first.
- Look at your hand. What’s the total? If it’s close to 21 – say, 17 – you might wish to stand or stick. This means that the play passes over to the dealer.
- However, if your total is much lower than 21, you might want to hit or twist. This means that you draw another card from the deck to add to your total. You can keep adding cards as you wish, but remember if your total exceeds 21, you’re bust – and out of the game.
- When you’re happy to stand or stick, pass the play to the dealer. They now reveal their cards and play to get as close to 21 as possible. If they get closer than you, they win. Remember also that depending on the blackjack rules they follow, the dealer might need to stand on 17 – in which case, you automatically win if your hand is worth more.
- If the dealer goes bust or your hand is closer to 21 in total, you win – and that’s the end of the round.
This is the basic format of blackjack, but there are additional bets and twists on the game that you’ll find while playing online. However, it’s always a good idea to learn the basic rules of blackjack before you get started, so that you can adapt to the different versions available.
Blackjack can be a straightforward game – and it’s one of the most popular games because it’s one of the quickest to learn.
However, as you’ll see from our blackjack tips for beginners below, we always recommend that you take caution when it comes to managing your bankroll.
Additional bets
As mentioned, there are a few different ways that you can play blackjack, and many of these arise by placing different types of bets.
These are known as side bets – and when you play blackjack online, you’ll usually see them listed at the side of the main table you play from.
Side bets will vary from game to game, so be certain to check what’s available when you load up and start playing for the first time.
Here are some of the more common blackjack side bets you’ll find when playing online or in person:
- Double down: This doubles your initial bet amount after you receive two cards. In return, you receive one more card and must stand.
- Split: When you draw two cards of the same value, you can play a second hand with the same bet.
- Insurance: Insurance bets let you place half a wager on the dealer scoring blackjack if the dealer draws an ace.
- Surrender: You can ‘surrender’ half of your bet if you don’t want to hit or stand on a draw.
Tips for beginners
As mentioned above, we’re not about to share strategies with you on how to play blackjack, but here are some tips on how to play blackjack for beginners to help you manage your game.
Avoid the insurance bet
Beginners should ideally avoid the insurance bet simply because many people see it as a waste of your chips.
While the dealer might have some house advantage on their side, the chances of them scoring a blackjack are still low. Therefore, stick to traditional bets when just starting out.
Don’t follow other players
If you’re playing blackjack alongside others at a real table, it might be tempting to follow their leads. Don’t!
Blackjack, like any other casino game, real or online, is random. Therefore, don’t ever assume that another player next to you has the upper hand in the game.
This is a game that’s worth exploring on your own terms, simply because some players might be high rollers and spend more of their bankroll than you’re expecting.
Try to split on a double eight
Splitting isn’t always the best blackjack move, but many players recommend that you do so if you get the dreaded double eight. This adds up, of course, to 16 – one of the most difficult draws to account for in the game.
Therefore, where possible if you draw two eights, split them and see what happens from there. The chances of you hitting on a 16 will typically send you bust, so play carefully.
Pay attention to the dealer’s hand
Your dealer’s hand might only show one card but pay attention to it. If it’s of a value between two and six, there’s a good chance that they’ll beat you. If it’s seven or higher (even an ace), the chances of them going bust increases.
Take a mental note of the dealer’s hand and use this to help you decide how you play. For example, if they have a high hand, you might feel safer standing or sticking on your own.
Keep an eye on your bankroll
This is a good tip when playing any casino games, but always make sure that you have limits in place for your blackjack tab and how you spend it.
Many casinos let you set limits – especially online, where you can also exclude yourself from games if you don’t want to overspend.
Common mistakes to avoid
One of the most common mistakes that blackjack players make – even those with years of experience – is to chase wins and losses.
This is a game of random chance – you’re never due a win. Eventually, you will lose a round of blackjack, even if you are on a winning streak.
Set yourself healthy limits and know when to walk away.
A common in-play mistake, meanwhile, is simply to avoid hitting on your hand if there’s an ace. Aces are high and low in this game, meaning that you have the chance to get close to 21, even if it seems as though you’re close to the limit.
We hope that you found these blackjack tips for beginners useful. It can take years to master casino games, so take the time to explore different ways to play as you get more confident at the table.
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