Blackjack

Blackjack has become one of the symbols of the gambling industry. Its overwhelming popularity can be attributed mainly to the fact that it is an extremely exhilarating and intriguing casino game which attracts the attention of both seasoned players and casino novices. Hardly there is a casino lover who has not played this classic game at least once. In fact, throughout the years, blackjack has become an inseparable part of the portfolios of casinos all over the globe. Technologies enabled gamblers to enjoy a wide array of blackjack games via their portable devices. Now, they can play the variation they like whenever they wish, regardless of the location.

Unlike other casino games in which the outcome is determined solely by luck, in blackjack both luck and skills play a major role. While playing blackjack gamblers need to make numerous decisions that will determine the results from the game. Namely this is what makes blackjack an extremely captivating and exciting game and explains why it is preferred by such a great number of casino lovers.

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Basic Rules

Blackjack is preferred by a large number of the gamblers due to the fact that it is one of the most entertaining casino games. It gives players the chance to get some decent profit as it comes with quite а low house advantage. What sets blackjack apart from other casino games is that if you really want to win on blackjack, your skills and knowledge about the game can help you achieve this goal. That is why gamblers need to take their time to acquaint themselves with the game’s specifics as well as with the most suitable strategy for them in order to enjoy a gambling experience which is both exciting and rewarding at the same time.

Many gamblers erroneously consider that when they go to a casino in order to wager, they will start winning right away. Still, such an approach will not help you if blackjack is the casino game you have chosen due to the fact that there are certain specific aspects of the game you need to pay special attention to.

In fact, the rules of blackjack are quite easy to grasp which explains why the game attracts the attention of such a great number of players. It is a casino game in which you play against a dealer. The game can be played with up to eight decks of 52 cards. Gamblers and the dealer are dealt two cards. Occasionally, one of the dealer’s cards is face up, whereas the other is face down. The card that is dealt face down is called a “hole card”. Once the cards are dealt, your hand and the dealer’s hand are compared. You will win as long as the total of your cards is higher than the total of the dealer’s hand and it does not exceed 21.

Prior to starting playing blackjack, gamblers need to know the value of the cards as this is definitely crucial. Still, the way cards are valued in blackjack is more than simple so you should not worry about this. The cards from 2 to 10 will bring you a different number of points which depends on the numerical value of the relative card. Face cards that include the queen, the king, and the jack will bring you 10 points each. The value of the ace can be one or eleven, depending on the hand. If you are not satisfied with your hand, you are enabled to draw additional cards in order to complete it. Once you have completed your hand, the dealer also needs to do the same. Still, if you have a natural blackjack or the total of your hand is higher than 21, the round ends.

As you can probably guess, the highest hand is a blackjack. Such hands consist of an ace and a card that brings 10 points. Such hands outrank other hands the total of which is 21.

It should be noted that some blackjack variations may come with slightly different rules. In addition to this, in some casinos, there may also be certain differences between the rules. That is why we can advise gamblers to check these things prior to playing due to the fact that they will not be able to make the right decisions if they are not familiar with the basic rules of the game.

Possible Moves

Once their cards are dealt and they have estimated their value, gamblers have several options to choose from. If you want to draw an additional card, you need to “hit”. It should be noted that the number of the cards you are allowed to draw is not limited. Still, in most cases, two or three cards may bring you enough points. Still, if you think that you do not need more cards, you should “stand” as in this way your turn will end.

Gamblers are also enabled to “split” two cards that have the same, thus forming two separate hands.

Gamblers need to bear in mind that they can also split different face cards. If you have decided to split your hand, you will also be able to complete each of the hands by drawing cards. The other option players have is to “double” which means that they want to double their stake as well as to get an additional card.

If you think that you are more likely to lose in the round, you can also “surrender”.

In this way, you will give up one half of the bet you have placed and you will also withdraw from this round of the game. Still, gamblers need to bear in mind that the option to surrender is not available in every casino. That is why they need to check this beforehand.

It should be noted that you will be offered an insurance bet when the card of the dealer that is face up is an ace. This is a type of side bet that comes with a 2 to 1 payout. If the card of the dealer that is face up is an ace, this means that the dealer will have a blackjack providing that face-down card is a card that brings ten points. The aim of this bet is to “protect” you if the dealer has a blackjack. Still, such bets are optional and you are not required to make them. If the dealer has a blackjack, however, this will mean that all bets with the exception of the insurance bet will lose.

It should be noted that after you have completed your hand, it is the dealer’s turn to do the same. The dealer will then reveal the hole card and if the total of the hand is 16 or less, this will mean that he/she needs to draw an additional card. In some casinos when the dealer has a soft 17 he/she also needs to draw an additional card.

Blackjack Odds

If you are new at playing blackjack, you may not know that the game has the lowest house advantage in comparison with other casino games. Still, gamblers need to bear in mind that the different blackjack variations come with a different house edge. The reason for this stems from the fact that some casinos add specific rules to the game as well as from the fact that the variations also have some specific aspects which can substantially influence the house advantage. In other words, a blackjack variation in which eight decks are used will come with a higher house advantage in comparison with a variation in which a single deck is used.

As previously noted, blackjack is a casino game in which both luck and skills are important which means that gamblers who are familiar with the game and with all its specific aspects definitely have higher chances to win. A decent strategy will also help you improve your results.

As long as classic blackjack is concerned, players should know that its house edge does not exceed 1%. As previously stated, the house advantage is determined by several factors such as the number of the decks that are used in the game as well as by the rules introduced by the casino. That is why we can advise gamblers to check what is the house edge of the particular blackjack game prior to making any bets due to the fact this will influence their overall profit.

Card Counting

As it was already mentioned, gamblers who enjoy engaging in blackjack can definitely improve their chances of winning as long as they apply a good strategy. There is plenty of information about the various strategies that can be used while playing blackjack that can help gamblers further increase their chances of winning. Even though one of the most widespread strategies is the basic one, many players go for card counting in order to improve the odds. Still, this option is suitable for more experienced gamblers due to the fact that you really need to be familiar with the game in order to use card counting.

In fact, card counting is not that difficult but it may take certain time to master your skills due to the fact that it requires really high concentration and knowledge of the game. Card counting will enable you to determine which are the remaining cards in the shoe. In order to do so, players should pay special attention to all the cards that have been dealt on the table. They also need to pay attention to which low and high cards were dealt in order to decide which cards can appear.

Card counting definitely gives gamblers the chance to decrease the house advantage as it enables them to make better decisions. It should be noted that it is easier to apply card counting in blackjack games in which a single deck is used.

Playing Blackjack on the Move

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iPad

Nowadays, players are not required to go to a land-based casino in order to enjoy their favourite blackjack game. Long gone are the days when gamblers needed to travel or to wait for the working day to end in order to wager. Presently, blackjack lovers are given the opportunity to enjoy their favourite variation of the classic casino game from almost every location. Casino lovers are enabled to choose between an abundance of blackjack games that can be accessed via their portable devices.

Players can indulge themselves in a wide array of blackjack variation via their smartphones or tablets which became possible thanks to the efforts of software developers. They have produced numerous variations of this classic game in order to satisfy the demands of players who prefer engaging in blackjack. Gamblers can definitely revel in this as they will find plenty of blackjack games that are compatible with portable devices that use Android or iOS operating systems. In fact, software suppliers have created their games with customers’ convenience in mind due to the fact that players can download and install the games they like extremely easy.

Gamblers can also visit the preferred casino’s website directly via the browsers of their devices which will give them the chance to enjoy their favourite game in an entirely new manner. They will be able to place their bets as long as they have a reliable Internet connection. This is a great opportunity for players who have a passion for blackjack but do not have that much time to go to a land-based casino. If you go for this option you can be sure that you will enjoy an extremely exhilarating gaming experience that cannot be closer to the one you get in brick-and-mortar casinos thanks to the cutting-edge technologies online casinos use.

Most preferred Blackjack Games

Blackjack is definitely one of the casino mainstays that continue attracting the attention of both seasoned players and casino newbies. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most intriguing and engrossing casino games available out there which explains why it is preferred by such a great number of gamblers. That is why it is anything but surprising that there is such a large number of variations of the classic game that are equally thrilling and engaging.

Players who prefer this casino game are presented with a wealth of options to experience the classic blackjack game in an entirely new manner. Each of the variations comes with its own distinctive features such as bonuses and additional rules which aims at further diversifying your gaming experience.

Double Exposure Blackjack

Double Exposure Blackjack is among the most preferred variations of the classic casino game. What sets this blackjack game apart from the rest of the blackjack variations is that in Double Exposure Blackjack, both of the dealer’s cards are face up which gives gamblers a significant advantage as they can make their decisions easier. The game also comes with a different payout as it will bring you even money.

Additionally, players are not given the chance to buy an insurance or to surrender due to the fact that both dealer’s cards face up from the beginning of the round. One more thing that is worth mentioning is that in Double Exposure Blackjack, the dealer wins tie hands with the exception of a blackjack as otherwise, gamblers will have quite a high advantage over the house. As you can see, the advantage that both of the dealer’s cards are revealed from the onset comes at the expense of the house edge.

Blackjack Switch

If you are looking for a blackjack variation that gives you the chance to experience the classic casino game in a different manner, you should definitely give Blackjack Switch a try. This variation is a perfect alternative for players who have a passion for blackjack but want to diversify their gaming experience. In fact, Blackjack Switch to a great extent resembles the classic casino game. The main difference, however, is that in Blackjack Switch are used six or eight decks and that here, cards are dealt face up.

Players need to play simultaneously at least two hands. They are also enabled to switch cards between their hands. The player needs to place two bets that have equal size in order to take advantage of this opportunity. The catch is that in Blackjack Switch, the dealer does not bust when having 22. In such cases, such a hand will tie with the hands of the gamblers. The only exception, however, will be a natural blackjack.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack also falls into the category of one of the most well-liked blackjack variations. It is one of the most played variations of the classic game in which six decks are used. Still, gamblers can also stumble upon games that are played with four or with eight decks. While playing European Blackjack gamblers need to beat the dealer’s hand and to get as close to 21 as possible without exceeding this value. The value of the cards also coincides with way cards are valued in the classic blackjack game. Yet, there are certain differences between the rules which distinguish European Blackjack from the rest of the blackjack variations.

Here, if the dealer has a blackjack, you will lose your total bet. What is more, gamblers are not given the opportunity to split two 4s, two 5s or cards that bring ten points. Still, if your cards can be split, you are then given the chance to double your stake. In European Blackjack, the dealer should stand on 17 as long as it soft and draw on 16. Gamblers can also buy an insurance bet but they need to bear in mind that they are not allowed to surrender.

Multi-Hand Blackjack

Multi-Hand Blackjack is undoubtedly among most exciting and entertaining variations of the classic casino game available out there. What makes the game so exciting and intriguing is that gamblers have the chance to play up to five hands simultaneously. Prior to getting started, you will be given the chance to decide how many hands you want to play. In fact, this blackjack variation enjoys great popularity among players and can be found in a wide array of casinos.

Multi-Hand Blackjack follows the same rules as the classic game. The value of the cards, as well as the way they are dealt, also coincide. Gamblers are enabled to split each of their hands and to re-split them no more than three times. What is more, they can also buy an insurance when the card of the dealer that is face up is an ace.

American Blackjack

American Blackjack is yet another option gamblers have. To some extent, it follows the rules of classic blackjack but there are still certain specific things about American Blackjack. The game is played with four decks and its rules are considered to increase players’ chances of getting a profit. There are also variations in which eight decks can be used.

In American Blackjack, the dealer has one card that is face up and one that is face down. Here, the dealer should stand on 17 as long as it is a soft one. Gamblers, on the other hand, are enabled to double their stake on any total as well as after splitting. Additionally, they can split their hands up to three times, meaning that they can eventually have up to four hands. Still, they need to bear in mind that they can split aces only once.

Players need to bear in mind that while playing American Blackjack, there may be certain differences between the rules. That is why we can advise them to check this prior to playing.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

Sometimes good knowledge of the rules as well as of the specific aspects of blackjack is not enough in order to win. Players should be aware of the fact that the number of the possible combinations is really great especially if the game is played with more than a single deck. In such cases, it would be better if gamblers apply a strategy which will definitely help them improve their chances to win. Here, we will provide you with more information about the basic blackjack strategy that will help you make the best possible decisions based on the cards you have.

The basic blackjack strategy suggests the best possible moves, depending on the cards you have as well as on the card of the dealer that is face up. According to it, gamblers should hit if they have a 10 and a 2 and the dealer has a 3. If you have a 5 and a 6, and the dealer has a 10, you should double. If your hand consists of an ace and a 7, and the dealer’s card is 9, you should hit. You are also advised to hit when you have an ace, a 2, and a 3, whereas the dealer has a 4. If you have two 9s, however, and the dealer also has a 9, you should split your hand.

Gamblers should also split a hand that consists of two 8s and when the dealer’s card is a ten. If they have a 10 and a 6, whereas the dealer has a 7, they are advised to hit. If your hand comprises an ace and a card that brings 10 points and the dealer also has an ace, you are not advised to take even money. When gamblers have a 10 and a 4, and the dealer has an ace but does not have a blackjack, you are also advised to hit. If your hand contains an ace and an 8, and the dealer has a 6, you are advised to double your stake.