| Updated: With its low house edge and relatively simple rules, blackjack has been a favorite casino game for generations of gamblers around the world. Since players rely on both luck and skill to win, learning the basic rules and strategies is crucial for long-term success at the blackjack table. In this blackjack guide, beginners will find straightforward rules and practical tactics for playing this casino classic as effectively as possible, depending on the variation of Twenty-One they choose.
Furthermore, online blackjack includes specific features that require a different approach. Playing blackjack at online casinos is, in many ways, simpler than facing a dealer in a brick-and-mortar establishment. Still, it is important to understand the differences among the most popular variations and the releases from the largest software providers.
In the following sections, we outline the basic rules of online blackjack, several simple strategies, and brief descriptions of versions created by leading gaming studios. This blackjack guide is recommended for all beginners, but even seasoned players may find useful information for refining their skills and strategies.
Blackjack Moves
Once players are dealt two cards at the beginning of each round, they must decide what action to take next in order to beat the dealer. If their initial hand is a blackjack, they automatically win. In all other situations, they are given several options – to take more cards, to end their turn, and so on.
Hit
Stand Double Split Take Insurance Surrender Dealer’s DecisionsHit
Players who request more cards must choose Hit, and they will be dealt one additional card. Hitting is recommended when the total of the first two cards is low, such as 10 (6 and 4).
Stand
When players receive an initial hand totaling 16, 17, or more, they have a high-value hand and are advised to stand, meaning they refuse any additional cards. By making this choice, they effectively end their turn.
Double
Doubling down is an option for players who believe they are likely to beat the dealer in the current round, for instance, when their hand totals 19 or 20. Doubling down is usually allowed only on the first two cards or after a split: your bet is doubled, and you receive one additional, final card for your hand.
Split
This option is available only when a player’s initial hand is a pair, meaning it contains two cards of the same value. When players choose to split, they end up with two hands, each containing one of the original cards, and another card is dealt to each hand. In addition, a second bet equal to the original wager must be placed.
Take Insurance
Insurance is a side bet equal to half of the original stake. By purchasing it, players insure themselves against the dealer having blackjack. This option is available only if the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. The insurance bet wins only when the dealer has blackjack, and it pays 2:1.
Surrender
In some games, players can surrender and forfeit half of their bet after the dealer checks for blackjack. When players surrender, they lose only half of their original stake.
Dealer’s Decisions
Beginner players also need to understand one important rule concerning the dealer’s decisions. The dealer never splits, doubles, or surrenders. In some games, the dealer is required to hit on a soft 17, meaning a hand containing an ace and totaling 17. In other games, the dealer must stand on all 17s.
- Multi Hand Blackjack
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- European Blackjack
- Blackjack: Introduction to the World’s Most Popular Casino Game
- How to Play Blackjack
- Blackjack Hands
- Blackjack: The Good and the Bad Rules
- Mathematics of Blackjack
- Blackjack Strategy: The Best Way to Win Consistently
- Blackjack Side Bets
- Blackjack Variations
- Blackjack: Tips for Beginners
- Advantage Play in Blackjack
- How to Count Cards at the Blackjack Table
- Money Management in Blackjack
- Edward Thorpe and the Ten Count System
- The Zen Count System
- The Advanced Omega II Card Counting System
- The Uston SS Card Counting System
- The Ace/5 Card Counting System
- The Knock Out Card Counting System
- The Red 7 Card Counting System
- The Wong Halves System for Card Counting
- Choosing the Best Blackjack Game Online
- How to Play Live Dealer Blackjack
- Microgaming Blackjack
- RTG Blackjack
- NetEnt Blackjack
- Mobile Blackjack Apps
Popular Blackjack Games
Blackjack Software
Since blackjack remains the most popular online casino game, most leading casino software developers have released their own versions of this classic. In addition to the wide range of virtual games, some providers also offer several variations of live dealer blackjack. Below, you can see what the biggest names in the industry have to offer.
Playtech Blackjack Microgaming Blackjack NetEnt Blackjack RTG BlackjackPlaytech Blackjack
Playtech is one of the largest software development companies in the online gambling industry, and it offers a broad range of blackjack variations. Most of its games follow the standard Las Vegas rules and use six 52-card decks. There are also several unconventional titles, such as Blackjack Switch, Lucky Blackjack, and 21 Duel.
Microgaming Blackjack
Microgaming has an extensive collection of blackjack variations in its portfolio. Some are played with two decks of cards, others use eight decks, and there are also single-deck versions. In addition to its numerous classic blackjack games, Microgaming offers a wide range of interesting, unconventional versions of Twenty-One.
NetEnt Blackjack
NetEnt, a Swedish casino software provider, develops visually impressive virtual and live blackjack games. Most versions are available in the Classic and Professional Series and are usually played with four standard decks. NetEnt also offers a dedicated range of mobile blackjack games.
RTG Blackjack
RealTime Gaming, better known as RTG, has developed various blackjack games in both instant-play and downloadable formats. Online casinos can customize the games, but they usually opt for six decks of cards and standard American-style rules and gameplay. RTG also offers several European versions of blackjack in which the dealer draws a single card at the start of the round.
Blackjack Variations
Over the years, numerous variations of blackjack have been created, as nearly every casino and gambling establishment has tried to modify the standard rules. Some of these variations have endured, while others have been further altered to attract more players or increase the house edge. Today, there are more than a hundred different versions of online blackjack, and new games are released regularly.
European Blackjack Spanish 21 Atlantic City Blackjack Blackjack Switch Double Exposure Perfect PairsEuropean Blackjack
European blackjack is usually played with eight decks, although some versions use four or six decks. The game has no hole card. The dealer draws only one initial card, so peeking for blackjack is not an option. The dealer typically stands on soft 17, and doubling is allowed only on hard 9, 10, or 11.
Spanish 21
In this variation, all tens are removed, and six to eight decks are used. Typically, all ties are resolved in the player’s favor. There are also bonus payouts for reaching 21 with five or more cards and for receiving three sevens totaling 21. In addition, the late surrender rule may apply.
Atlantic City Blackjack
This variation is played with eight standard decks of cards, and the dealer stands on all 17s, a rule that favors the player. In fact, most of the rules benefit the player, including late surrender and the option to split up to three times.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch uses six standard decks of cards, and each player is dealt two hands instead of one. The key difference from the standard rules is that players may switch the top cards of these two hands if they wish. Blackjack pays 1:1, and a dealer total of 22 results in a push with all player hands except blackjack.
Double Exposure
In this variation, both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up, which gives the game its name. Players cannot buy insurance or surrender, and blackjack typically pays even money (1:1). Players lose all ties.
Perfect Pairs
This game allows players to place a side bet called Perfect Pairs. Players win the side bet if they receive a colored, mixed, or perfect pair. Payouts for the side bet vary, but they typically reach 30:1 for a perfect pair. The game uses two, four, or five decks of cards, and the dealer always stands on soft 17.
Blackjack Strategies
Whether you play blackjack at a land-based casino or online, you should employ an effective strategy to increase your chances of winning. Because blackjack relies on odds and mathematics, experts have developed a wide range of mathematically proven strategies for this game. However, the only way to truly shift the odds in your favor and virtually guarantee success is to learn how to count cards – a complex skill reserved for highly trained individuals who calculate the probability of receiving a good or bad card on the next deal.
Hi-Lo Count 10-Count System KO Count Uston SS Count Shuffle Tracking System Basic StrategyHi-Lo Count
This is a simple card-counting method developed by mathematician Harvey Dubner in the 1960s. By assigning a value of -1, +1, or 0 to each card, the system provides a simple way to keep track of the high cards remaining in the deck. Low cards (2-6) are +1, middle cards (7-9) are 0, and high cards are -1. The count starts at 0.
10-Count System
This is the first known card-counting system, introduced by MIT mathematics professor Edward Thorp. This method was fundamental to the development of many other systems. However, it is considered quite complex and difficult for casual players to implement.
KO Count
The Knockout Card Counting System is similar to the Hi-Lo method, but it treats the seven as a low card and assigns it a value of +1. Players who use this system will end up with a total count of +4 per deck.
Uston SS Count
This system is more complex than the Hi-Lo system, but it is also more accurate. Instead of using three values for the cards, it uses six: 2, 4, and 6 count as 2; 5 counts as 3; 7 counts as 1; and 8 counts as 0. The high cards are valued as follows: 9 counts as -1, while cards from 10 through ace count as -2.
Shuffle Tracking System
This advantage-play technique allows players to track high cards during the shuffle. On its own, the method is highly unreliable, so it is often combined with other card-counting systems. It is also ineffective in online blackjack.
Basic Strategy
Basic blackjack strategy is a method of play that involves making the correct decision for every hand or side bet. It does not involve card counting, shuffle tracking, or any other advantage-play methods. With basic strategy, recreational players can reduce the house edge to an absolute minimum.