Your Blackjack Game Guide
If you’ve been playing online casino for a while – be it slots or live dealer casino – you’ve no doubt stumbled across blackjack already. Or maybe you’re a veteran, who knows?
Blackjack is a relatively simple to understand game, that’s difficult to master. It is highy recommended for inexperienced players, to make oneself familiar with the rules of blackjack and tricks, that we of course will share with you.
The objective of blackjack
The objective is simple; start off with two random cards given and try to get as close to 21 as possible – or even on it – without going over.
The dealer tries the same; the closer you are, the more the likelihood of winning.
Simple, right?
Hold your horses though, that’s not all there is to this online card game. We’re going to go into detail about what it actually means to excel at blackjack, don’t worry.
How to play step by step
For all the veterans out there, you can skip this step. For all the beginners? Well. This is how you play blackjack, step by step. We know, we know – it sounds very simple at first, but read on. It gets better.
This is how you play, step by step:
- Enter a table of your liking – but choose your blackjack variant wisely. We would recommend reading our main blackjack page in that case.
- The dealer plays out the cards, his own and yours – and any players that sit at the table with you, should that be the case.
- The dealer deals 2 more cards and then your value and the dealers value is revealed.
- The player with the card value closest to 21 wins.
- 21 is considered blackjack and an immediate win.
- Rinse and repeat.
Betting in Blackjack
Playing blackjack online isn’t that much different from sitting down at an actual brick & mortar casino.
The biggest difference? You can play at home in your sweatpants.
All jokes aside, there are a few things that are different, naturally – but some things do change from an online perspective.
Here’s how it goes down:
- Enter the table
- Place your chips
- Make your choices after the dealer has dealt the cards
- Check out if you won
- Place a side bet or two – depending on the blackjack variant
- Rinse and repeat
Hit
To hit, in layman’s terms really just means to ask for another card, should your initial value be too low.
While playing online, nothing really changes; but naturally you press a button rather than signaling the dealer with a tap, like custom in a land-based casino.
Stand
The opposite of hit; standing means, you don’t want another card and you’re happy with the card value you have.
Usually standing on a soft 17 is advised, however some blackjack variants force the dealer to stand on a 17 – which you could use as your advantage.
Double Down
Doubling down in blackjack is a desirable situation where, after you are dealt your two original cards, you decide to double your initial bet in return for a single card – with your option to hit or stay eliminated – in the hope that you will either hit a hand that beats the dealer’s or the dealer will bust.
Insurance
As one of many side bets, this can take place when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. As unlikely as this event is, numbers-wise, this can provide a neat opportunity for the player as he or she can bet with just half of their original wager.
If the banker’s second card is a ten, or any of the cards that equal a value of ten the dealer will have a blackjack; and the insurance bet will be paid out at 2:1. Sweet!
Additional how to play explanations
Playing Blackjack online – as discussed – is a simple thing to do, and as long as you don’t go over 21 you’ve pretty much gotten the hang of it.
The dealer has to hit until he reaches a soft 17, depending on the variant. That means, that as long as the dealer hits, you’d be wise to do so too, unless you’re getting too close to 21, that is.
Card values
The principle is equally simple; different cards obviously have different values. Let’s go through them, you’ll find it very easy to remember.
- 2-10 go for the equivalent value of their number.
- Face cards have a 10 card value.
- Ace have a card value of 11 or 1.
Side bets
Side bets are an interesting way of mixing up the gameplay a little. A few blackjack side bets you can try are 21+3, Perfect Pairs and the aforementioned Insurance.
These additional bets can not only serve as a welcomed distraction but will also improve your gameplay – and hopefully your winnings in conclusion. Watch out for online blackjack variants with that feature.
Placing and Winning Perfect Pair Side Bet
Hard vs Soft hand
This is something more advanced, so read carefully; the core difference between a hard and a soft hand is the ace.
If one of the two cards you’ve been dealt is an ace, you have a soft hand, because an ace card can either be a 1 or an 11.
What that means? It means you have all the flexibility on your side as to how to play your next hand, hit or stand. A lot of blackjack strategies focus on this feature, and you can surely see why.
How to Play Blackjack Online
There are some things to consider, when it comes down to playing blackjack online – besides playing the game itself, that is.
What does the dealer do? How do you even sign up to your favourite live casino? And how do withdrawals work?
In the next section, you will learn all about the ins and outs of playing blackjack. This will prepare you for whatever may come and trust us; there is a lot to contend with. Luckily you have us from LiveCasinoGuide to help you through all this. You’re welcome!
Live Dealer perspective
The live dealer is the centerpiece of any live blackjack variant out there, be it on the dedicated tables at LeoVegas Casino or the beautiful live environments of 10CRIC.
The dealer – not surprisingly – deals the cards, 2 at a time for each player, then dealing himself one face-up and 1 face-down card – while players make their decisions.
So you could say the banker/dealer really is just another player in the game. A player YOU need to beat.
Innovative betting interface
It’s 2020 and smartphones are our daily companions. Fitting so, that playing blackjack online really is best on Android.
Changing from portrait to landscape mode with a dedicated user interface has never been more fluid and neat to look at.
The differences to a brick and mortar casino are evident; you can do so whenever and wherever you want while just tapping your device to place the chips. The future is here!
Signing up for an account
Signing up to an online casino of your choosing (take a look at our guides to choose the best casino out there) is really simple.
Click the big “sign up” button on your chosen casino and enter your credentials.
After doing so, you will receive an email with a link to verify this is your email address – you’re done. Your account will then be ported over to your Android, PC, Mac or iPhone – whatever the case may be.
Making withdrawals
Let’s imagine you hit it big at the blackjack table and you want to transfer your well-earned winnings to your bank account. But how?
Well, choosing the right payment method is essential to your enjoyment, and we would recommend choosing your casino with the right payment method in mind before you sign up. E
-Wallets are the uncrowned kings of online pay – that’s our recommendation anyway. Just remember, each payment method has its advantages/disadvantages when it comes to speed, ease-of-use, and convenience. Choose wisely!
Develop your Blackjack strategy
There are many blackjack strategies that you can apply, but not all of them are equally useful in all situations.
Make sure you get the right strategy for the right hand you might have. Some of the most valuable and commonly used online blackjack strategies can’t be applied to land-based casinos – and you will see why.
Develop these strategies by reading up on them in our specialized section regarding this topic. You’re welcome!