Blackjack

The Aim of the Game

The aim of blackjack is to build a hand which has a total value of 21 or a hand with a higher value than that of the dealer's. If a hand is worth more than 21, it is said to have gone "bust" and the player looses. If the first cards you are dealt are an ace and a ten then that is known as "blackjack" or "a natural". Blackjack will always beat any hand that requires more than two cards to make 21.

Picture cards are worth 10 and a number card is worth its face value. An ace can be worth either 1 or 11. If a hand does not include an ace, or includes an ace that counts as 1, it is called a "hard hand". A dealer's ace will always be worth 11.

Rules

As stated above, the aim of the game is to build a hand of higher value than the dealer's without going over 21.

If you make Blackjack, i.e. the first two cards you are dealt are an ace and a card worth ten, then you win 150% of your bet (for example if you bet £10 you will win £25). If your hand beats the dealer's then you win the value of your bet (a £10 bet would win £20). If both you and the dealer have the same value hands of 17 or above then neither of you win and your bet is returned to you in a "push". If your hand is worth more than 21 you are "bust" and have lost your bet. Blackjack beats any hand worth 21.

The version of Blackjack on our website follows the "Las Vegas Strip" rules; however, there are a few exceptions:

1. When a round is finished, cards which have been dealt are returned to the deck and the deck is shuffled.
2. A player is not allowed to split a split hand.
3. A single card is drawn to split aces.
4. A player may double after splitting.
5. The dealer will never check for Blackjack
6. If a player chooses to double and the dealer's first card is an Ace and then the dealer gets Blackjack the player will lose both their bets. If the dealer's first card is worth 10 and then the dealer gets Blackjack the player will get the Double bet back.

Split

If the first two cards you are dealt have the same value you have the option to split them into two separate hands, if you do this you must place a second bet of the same value as the first. You will then draw additional cards to each of your hands. If you split two aces then only one card will be drawn to each hand, however, for all other card values you may draw as many cards as you like. If a split hand consists of an ace and a card worth ten, it is not considered Blackjack, but a hand worth 21.

Double

After receiving your first two cards, if you think the next card means that you are likely to beat the dealer's hand, you have the option to double your bet. If you choose to do this, the bet becomes twice the original and another card is dealt.

Insurance

If the dealer's initial hand contains an ace then you have a chance to insure your bet against him getting a Blackjack. If you choose to insure your bet then an amount equal to half your original bet is placed separately on the table. If the dealer does not have Blackjack you lose the insurance even if you end up losing the game. However, if the dealer does have Blackjack you receive 2 to 1 on your insurance. This means that you do not lose your original bet, you get two times half your original bet and the insurance amount back.

10 Card Charlie

Theoretically it is possible to draw a total of ten cards without going bust. If this happens the player's hand wins apart from when the dealer has Blackjack.

Winnings

How to play Blackjack Online

First place your bet. To increase your bet click on a chip of the value you wish to bet, each click will increase your bet by that chip value. To reduce your bet right click on a chip.

Then click on the Deal button.

If the dealer's face up card is an ace then you are offered insurance. Click on the Insurance button if you want to take insurance.

You can use the Hit, Stand, Double and Split buttons depending on what you want to do.

Remember that using Insurance, Double and Split means that an additional bet will be placed. If you do not have sufficient funds then the buttons will be unavailable.

To play another round click on the New Game button and follow the betting steps as above, alternatively, click on Rebet to use the bet as in the previous round.

Did you Know?

The game of Blackjack has been in existence for almost a century. It has become one of the most popular of all the game played both at home and at casinos as it has simple rules and the gambling element is optional.

In America the game used to be illegal, it first became legal in Nevada in 1934 and it was only then that Blackjack became a legal game. It was so popular that people would fight to claim a spot at a table which meant great business for casino owners were making huge amounts of money. As a result large amounts of casinos began to open in Nevada and even today there are very few places there without some form of gambling to be found.

Before long people began to work out the best strategies to win at Blackjack and in 1956 Roger Baldwin published ideas on how to beat the house. This pushed people to really begin working on strategies to try and work out how to play and win large sums of money.

It is only possible to win consistently at Blackjack through understanding the mathematics and probabilities behind it. Because of this lots of beginner players would rather resort to luck than having to be confused by numbers. Beginner players should start slowly and try and get to grips with some of Blackjack's basic strategies, making sure they have them memorised before moving on. Building a strong strategic foundation is the key to success in any card game.