Blackjack rules: how to play blackjack successfully

Although Blackjack is considered an extremely simple game, its small nuances should be known to you. To do this, simple rules and advanced strategies they come together to give you that little edge on the way to 21 points.

Above all, we want you to always play smart!

Game summary

Be one of the best known card games in online casinos and physical, Blackjack allows up to six players to gather around a table. Here, each player plays individually against the dealer under the specific rules of each game.

Blackjack or 21, as it is affectionately known, aims to add Twenty-one (21) points or the closest amount to win, and cannot exceed this amount under penalty of bust.

In this game, up to 6 decks of Cards are usually involved. The Ace can be worth one or eleven points, depending on the amount that is most advantageous to you in the move in question. The King, Jack and Queen figures are worth 10 points and the remaining cards are worth the numbered amount.

After being shuffled and the bets placed (there are betting minimums and maximums set by each casino) two cards are dealt to each player face up. The dealer draws only one card, which will influence the players ' decisions for their next moves.

If initially the player gets a combination such as an ace and a ten (or an ace and a figure), he gets Blackjack. This is the hand that will make you the winner and one of the main Blackjack rules to observe. As a result, it is also the best rewarded in a usual 3-to-2 paid bet portion. At this point, a tie may also arise if the dealer has also obtained Blackjack.

When the player finishes his hand on a sum of 21 points or the nearest amount without exceeding it, the dealer proceeds to complete his hand.

If the sum of the Cards is less than 17 points, the dealer must draw one more card until the sum of his cards adds up to a minimum of 17 points.

In case the dealer's hand sum is between 17 and 21, whoever has the highest hand wins. Whoever exceeds 21 points bursts (bust) and loses the bet. The dealer's final hand is only revealed when the player gives the order to stand, signaling that he is satisfied with the outcome of his cards.

In a very brief way, it is demonstrated here how to play blackjack and its simpler strategies however, we advise you to continue reading the rules of the game in more detail so that you can apply them to every move without hesitation.

Basic Blackjack rules

In Blackjack, the following rules are part of the normal course of the game. Being aware of the terms that define each action is essential to communicate effectively and understand how and when to act.

Stay or stop ( stand )

It arises when the player accepts the score of his hand, ideally between 18 and 20 points and does not want to get any more cards.

Ask ( hit )

It is allowed to ask for new card(s), keeping your initial bet as long as the sum of the player's hand does not exceed 21 points and until the player officiates the action of be or that bust ( bust ).

Divide ( split )

When the first two cards have an identical value (6 and 6, or 10 and Queen, for example), the player can split this hand into two distinct hands that play against the dealer's hand. This keeps an additional bet on the initial bet amount, thus increasing your chances of winning.

Double ( double )

In the event that the sum of the first two Cards is 9, 10 or 11, the player can choose to double his bet by the amount of the initial bet, and receives only one card to improve his hand.

Give ( surrender )

The player can fold the move and keep half the amount of the bet they initially made, ideal for when they are at risk of busting or did not get a strong enough combination to win.

Safe ( insurance )

When the dealer's first card is an ace, the chances of getting a good result increase exponentially. Thus, the player can ask for a safe to guarantee half of your initial bet in case you lose the round.

It has always occurred to me that the insurance option is not always the right one, since many studies point out that in the long run, players tend to lose more money with the insurance option than to win. But when the time comes, the choice is yours alone.

When playing Blackjack, advanced rules will eventually have to be part of your journey as a player. You can find here in a simplified way the rules to know, as well as how and when to apply them.

Advanced Blackjack rules

If you've dealt cards (literally) in Blackjack when it comes to the Basic Rules, it's time to get to know some of the advanced rules. The idea is that the next time you sit before the dealer, you know precisely how and when to act in order to increase your odds of winning.

Re-division re-split )

We have already told you about Blackjack with basic rules in options such as doubling or splitting the hand in a move.

After splitting, the hand can be split again, you know?

Imagine that after given the cards you get two 7's. After splitting into two hands, assume that the new cards are a Jack and a 7. This sequence results in one hand with 7-J and another with 7-7. This second hand can again be divided: 7-J ; 7-X ; 7-X.

The only exception to this rule is when you get two aces, as in this case the casino rules do not allow splitting.

In most online casinos can do this re-split up to four times. In some casinos, this action is limited to two or three times. Before you play, we recommend that you carefully read the Blackjack rules of the casino where you will be playing to avoid surprises.

Folding after splitting

In some casinos it is allowed double after divide (split).

Once two identical cards come out, such as 8 and 8, and these are divided into two hands, suppose that the next Cards are a king and a 3. The result would be as follows: 8-R ; 8-3

Being the sum of the hand 8-3 of 11 points, the player can proceed to the double this hand.

'Soft 17' or ' soft 17’

In the early days, the dealer could ask (hit) new cards whenever your hand was less than 16 and you had to stop (stand) the sum was always equal to or greater than 17.

Currently, it is common to come across some Blackjack games where the rule is implemented in which the dealer has to be or stop whenever you get a ‘ hard 17’ (17 hard) and ask whenever you get a ‘ soft 17’ (17 soft).

A ‘soft 17’ or ’soft 17’ hand is a hand that always includes an ace. As mentioned earlier, this card can have a value of 1 or 11 depending on the player's desire.

A practical example of a Soft 17 ' hand is the A-6 card combination.

This may be one of the most disadvantageous Blackjack rules you'll find at the table, working in the dealer's favor.

We remind you that these are advanced game rules and should not be used by players in the experimental phase.

Before applying them, we advise you to play Blackjack with simple rules and only with some practice and knowledge should you risk on more advanced strategies.

In more advanced games, experienced players know how to identify the probability of each hand and each rule against the current scenario. This is largely due to experience, but also to the statistical reference of each action.

With Blackjack games where each hand can be worth thousands of dollars, it becomes essential to statistically minimize the margin of error. This requires knowing when to act, when to fold, as well as how much and when to bet. Whether in the simple online game or under the pressure of a live game , each decision should be as correct as possible.

Over time, we are sure that this extremely simple card game has everything to conquer you. Discover some of New Zealand's best online casinos with Blackjack to start having a great time today!