Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is a popular card game played between a dealer and one or more players. Originating in 18th-century in France’s casinos as “Vingt-et-Un” (French for 21), the goal is to beat the dealer by getting card totals as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
Blackjack Flow Game
Players are dealt two cards face up, while the dealer gets one card face up and one facedown. Players decide to “HIT” for another card or “STAND” with their current total. Going over 21 results in a “BUST,” causing a loss. The dealer must hit until they have at least 17 points. The higher total wins without busting.
Basic Rules of Blackjack
- Played with a standard 52-card deck.
- Goal – Hold hand total close to 21 without exceeding it.
- Card Values – Numbered cards hold their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points, and Aces are worth 1 or 11.
- Players initially get two cards face up, while the dealer has one up and one down.
- Players decide first to hit, stand, double down, or split.
- Dealers must hit on “soft” 17 (Ace as 11), stand on “hard” 17 or higher.
- A player busts if their hand exceeds 21; the dealer is playing only after all players done.
- Common wins pay even money (1:1), blackjack (Ace with a 10-value card) usually pays 3:2 or 6:5.
- Ties result in a push, carrying bets over to the next hand if both player and dealer have blackjack.
Key Features in Blackjack
- Getting 21 – Achieving 21 with the first two cards (Blackjack) usually pays 3:2 or 6:5.
- Beating the Dealer – The goal is to surpass the dealer’s hand without busting
- Hit or Stand – Players choose based on strategy; basic strategy guides these decisions.
- The “Soft 17” rule – Dealers have to stand on all “hard” 17s (a hand totaling 17 made with an ace counted as 1 point) but must hit on “soft” 17s (example hand: Ace + 6 which total 17 but the ace could still count as 11). This impacts their chance of busting.
What Are the Player’s Options When Playing Blackjack?
Hit
The player requests another card from the dealer. Players can ask for card if they believes that adding another card will bring their hand total closer to 21 without exceeding it. Players can continue to hit until they decide to stand or bust by exceeding 21.
Stand
The player decides not to take any more cards and plays with their current hand. This is chosen when the player is satisfied with their hand total and doesn’t want to risk going over 21 by taking another card.
Double Down
After receiving the initial two cards, the player can choose to double their original bet in exchange for committing to stand after receiving one more card. This is often done when the player has a strong hand and believes that one more card will significantly improve their chances of winning.
Split
If the player’s initial two cards are of the same rank (e.g., two 8s or two 10s), they can choose to split them into two separate hands. Each card in the original pair becomes the first card of a new hand, and the player must place an additional bet equal to their original wager. The player then plays each hand separately.
Surrender
Some casinos offer the option to surrender, allowing the player to forfeit their hand and lose only half of their original bet. This option is typically chosen when the player believes their chances of winning are low.
Insurance
If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the player has the option to take insurance. This is a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack (a 10-value card as their facedown card). However you have to remember, taking insurance is generally not recommended as it increases the house edge.
Is There a Special Strategy for Playing Blackjack?
There are several blackjack strategies that can help improve a player’s chances of winning.
Here are some of the key strategies:
Basic Strategy
This is the optimal play for every possible hand combination based on the player’s cards and the dealer’s upcard. Basic strategy charts show whether you should hit, stand, double down, split, etc. in every scenario to minimize the house edge. Mastering basic strategy is crucial.
What Are the Payouts in Blackjack?
Here are the typical payouts and odds in the game of blackjack:
- Blackjack (an ace and 10-value card as first two cards) – Usually pays 3:2 or 6:5. A $10 bet would return $15 or $12. This payout is less if the table rules specify 6:5.
- Winning Hand (closer to 21 than dealer) – Pays out at even money, or 1:1. A $10 bet will give you a $10 profit. This applies to any non-blackjack total of 21, 20, 19, etc if you beat the dealer.
- Push (tie with the dealer) – Your bet amount carries over to the next round. No money exchanged on tied hands.
- Insurance Bet – Pays out at 2:1 on initial bet, if the dealer ends up with blackjack after you take insurance. Net profit is still usually less than the original bet.
- Additional Side Bets – Some blackjack variants allow side bets on hands like a 3 or more 7s, 5+ card 21s, perfect pair initial hands etc. These generally pay higher odds like 2:1 or 10:1.
While standard wins pay out 1:1, getting a blackjack hand is most lucrative at +50% profit or higher (at 3:2). Special circumstances or rule variations can affect odds and profits too. Players should understand the payout ratios for different hand outcomes to estimate their profit margins.
