Blackjack – Online Blackjack

Blackjack and online blackjack are without question the most popular casino table game in the world. This easy to learn but difficult to master game of fast action and strategy has long been a pinnacle of casinos and with the advent of online casino sites, blackjack has literally exploded once again worldwide. In this section of our website, you will learn about casino blackjack topics such as blackjack games, blackjack strategy and betting tips designed to boost your wins.

How To Play Blackjack

Learning how to play blackjack is actually quite easy and we are going to look at the game step by step to give you a comprehensive overview of how it works and how you should play.

The object of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over and accumulating a higher hand total than the dealer, which will win you the round.

Blackjack is played between you (the player) and a dealer that sits across the table from you. Other players are allowed to play in the same game, but you are always playing against the dealer (also known as the house). When a game starts, players will place their bets in a small box on the table (their betting box) and once all wagers are placed the dealer will begin giving out cards to the players until everyone has two cards sitting in front of their position.

The dealer will give each player at the table two cards face up and will deal him or herself two cards with one card showing to the table and the other card dealt face down and protected from the players. The exposed card that the dealer has up for players to see is known as the “up card” and is very important for making decisions during game play to optimize strategy.
Now that all the cards have been dealt, it’s time for the players to take action and decide what they want to do with their hands. Remember, the object of blackjack is to get a higher total hand than the dealer that is as close to 21 as possible without going over (known as busting).

Note on Blackjacks:

If you are dealt a total of 21 right away, you will have what is known as blackjack and will instantly win (if the dealer doesn’t have blackjack as well – called a “push”). Getting blackjack entitles you to receive a payout of 3-2 on your original bet, so a $100 bet would be paid $150.

If the dealer gets blackjack right away, players will loose all bets unless they push or take even money, which is when you request an even payout for your blackjack before the dealer checks for 21 with an ace as the up card. Every time the dealer has ace showing as their up card, players with blackjack will be offered even money payout before he checks his hidden card to see if he has blackjack. Players with normal hands can opt for insurance where they need to put an additional 1/2 of their bet, which would be returned should the dealer have blackjack. If you buy insurance and the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, normal play resumes but you will lose the insurance bet made on your hand. Insurance is not usually recommended during play.

Assuming that you and the dealer don’t have blackjack, players can now can make one of the following decisions with their hands which they must announce to the dealer during game play:

Hit – This indicates that you would like to add another card to your hand, meaning that you are not happy with your total (9 for example) and can only improve by making the decision to add another card (since you can’t bust or go over 21). When you ask the dealer to hit, they will simply deal another card from the shoe (where the cards are dealt from) & add it to your hand.

Stand – A player calls for a stand when they do not want to receive anymore cards from the dealer, for example say you hit a 10 and got 20, you would now stand and play would move on.

Double – In most blackjack games, a player can double any two cards (although some say only 9,10 and 11 are eligible). Doubling your hand means that you will place an additional bet equal or less than your original wager and for this you will only be given one more card and must stand no matter what card comes. The reason that doubling is effective is say you example you have a hand that has a good chance of improving, 11 for example and the dealer’s up card is a 6, which has a high likelihood of busting. In this position, most players would opt to double their original wager with the hopes that they beat or bust the dealer and win twice their original bet.

Split – A player has the option to split his or her cards when the two cards dealt to them are the same, for example 10,10. In this situation, a player can split their hand into two hands by putting another bet equal to their original bet beside the betting box. The dealer will then split the hands and the player will be given one new card for each hand and may continue to play them normally. Players are allowed to double after splitting should they choose to do so. The idea behind splitting is the same as doubling, to maximize payouts against a weak dealer hand.

Surrender – In some blackjack variations, the house offers the player’s the option to surrender their hand for which they will receive 1/2 of their bet back without having to play the hand. The reason player’s do this is if they think they have a high likelihood of losing the hand, for example if the dealer’s up card was a king and you possessed a total of 16, you may surrender.
Blackjack Games

One of the great things about blackjack is the large variation of blackjack games that are out there for players to choose from. Each game offers slightly varied rules and payouts and can add additional entertainment and in some cases an advantage to blackjack players depending on the type. Some of the popular blackjack games included in our games section include Spanish 21, Blackjack Switch, Pontoon, Triple 7’s, Double Exposure Blackjack, High Streak, Single Deck Blackjack, Progressive Blackjack, Chinese Blackjack and Elimination Blackjack.

Popular Blackjack Terms

Below is a list of common and popular blackjack terminology that you are likely to hear at the blackjack tables when playing at a live casino, where players tend to get pretty vocal.
Action – When a player calls out for either a blackjack or a double or split hand.
Anchor – The person who is sitting in the last betting position at the table, known as spot 6.
Bankroll – Your total amount of money at the table, or gambling money in general.
Basic Strategy – The simplest method to improve your odds of winning against the dealer.
Burn Card – 2 discarded cards taken from the deck by the dealer after shuffling is complete.
Bust – When either the player of blackjack dealer exceeds 21 with their hand total.
Card Counting – A method of tracking the cards using memory and a points scoring system.
Cut – Players cut the deck after the dealer has shuffled using a cut card before game resumes.
Cut Card – A plastic card used by the player to cut the deck once shuffled by the dealer.
Even Money – Even payment on player blackjack if the player thinks the dealer has blackjack.
Hole Card – The unexposed card in the dealer’s hand which is not visible to players.
Natural – A blackjack where the player is dealt an ace and a face card, making a 21 total.
Push – When the dealer and player have the same card total, also known as a tie.
Shoe – This is where all the cards are dealt from and can be a plastic box or electronic machine.
Shuffle – Before the start of a shoe, the dealer shuffles all the cards and mixes them.
Up Card – The dealer’s card which can be seen and is exposed to the players at the table.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner – Glamorized by the Hollywood movie “21″, this saying was coined by a Las Vegas blackjack dealer who used it to describe when a player got blackjack.