How to play Blackjack?

What is Blackjack?

This first installment of a brand new series for players looking to become experts is focused on blackjack, the most popular casino game in the world.
Blackjack is played with standard 52 card deck by bettors, who place their bets against the dealer’s hand. Blackjacks pay 3:2 on player bets.

Blackjack Chart

This table can help you decide when you play blackjack. Obviously, this one doesn’t have the infused science, it might mislead you sometimes. Don’t hesitate to trust your instincts.

History of blackjack

Blackjack, originally called the twenty-one, first appeared in French casinos in the 18th century. The game would in fact be a variation of two historic games in France, the “railroad” and the “French farm”. In its original French version, bonus payouts for what is now called blackjack did not exist. The game was limited to getting as close as possible to 21, without going over that total. To attract as many players as possible, the United States invented a rule that allowed them to win 10x their bet if the player managed to combine the jack of spades with the ace of spades.

Although it had a blackjack ban, the game continued to rise underground. It was not until the 1930s and the arrival of Las Vegas to make blackjack, one of the most important games in the casino. In France, on the other hand, the game was again authorized and accessible to the general public as from 1969.

Basic rules

A game of blackjack is played between the bank, held by the croupier, and the other players. For each player, the goal is simple: to obtain a total of points higher than that of the croupier, without never exceeding 21. In the event of Blackjack, you directly win one and a half times your bet.

Card value

Each card numbered from 2 to 10 has its value equal to the number on the card. Figures (Jack, Queen, King) have a value of 10 points each. The ACE is worth 1 point or 11 points, it’s up to the player.

Progress of a game

1️⃣ First step: You decide to bet before the distribution of the cards, with the possibility of playing the “side-bet” (which we will see together later). Then the dealer deals you 2 cards and 2 cards for the bank, one card each each time. While your cards are face up, the dealer alone is allowed to place one face up card while the other is a face down card. It is important to know that the dealer plays last, which is an advantage over the players, as they can lose before the dealer even plays their hand.

2️⃣ Step two: If you have blackjack, you win ! You win 1.5x your stake + your stake. If you do not have blackjack, the game continues and 4 choices are available to you depending on your draw (Hit, stay, Double down, Split). Your goal is to be as close as possible to 21. If the dealer’s face up card is an ace, you can take out insurance. For this, you can place an additional bet worth half of your first bet. If the dealer hits blackjack, the insurance bet will win. In the event that the dealer does not do blackjack, he loses his insurance.

3️⃣ Third step: Once served, the croupier serves himself, he draws cards as long as he totals less than 17. If the croupier achieves a total of points greater than 21, you win because he “bust” (You will find definition in the lexicon later). If it is between 17 and 21, if your total is greater than the dealer’s total, you win and if you tie, you get your stake back except for side bets if you have played any.

Side bets

Side bets are an opportunity for players to bet combinations in addition to their basic hands. there are 2 side bets, the 21+3 as well as the even prefect.

21+3

The 21+3 comprises the 2 cards of the player + the face up card of the croupier and can create up to 5 combinations.

◽️ Suited trips: 3 identical cards, same symbols, same colours.
➡️ Gain : x100

◽️ Quinte flush: 3 cards of the same suit that follow, creating a quinte.
➡️ Gain : x40

◽️ Three of a kind: 3 identical cards but not necessarily of the same colour.
➡️ Gain : x30

◽️ Straight: 3 consecutive cards but not necessarily of the same colour.
➡️ Gain : x10

◽️ Flush: 3 cards of the same colour.
➡️ Gain : x5

Perfect pairs

For these side bets, you will only use your 2 cards while hoping to land a pair.

◽️ Perfect pair: 2 identical cards, of the same suit and same family.
➡️ Gain : x25

◽️ Coloured pair: 2 identical cards of the same colour.
➡️ Gain : x12

◽️ Mixed pair: identical cards but not necessarily of the same colour or same family.
➡️ Gain : x6

Blackjack Lexicon

Blackjack Lexicon

➡️ Give up: It is the right to give up on the first deal. When the dealer deals the first 2 cards, you can get half of your bet back.

➡️ Insurance: When the dealer has an Ace, you can make a side bet. In the case of dealer blackjack, you can recover that second bet, but lose the original bet amount.

➡️ Blackjack: When you do blackjack, the two cards in your hand are worth a total of 21 points.

➡️ Log: This is a card worth 10 points, or 10, Jack, Queen and King.

➡️ Burnt Cards: These are the first five cards from the shoe that the dealer excludes from the game.

➡️ Box: This is a marked spot on the table where the player places their bet. Generally, there are 7 of them on a table and a player can bet on several boxes.

➡️ Card Counting: A calculation method to determine if the cards in the shoe will benefit the player or the casino. According to a coefficient of probability, it is possible to count the cards to determine its stake.

➡️ Deal: These are the first 2 cards dealt by the croupier to the players.

➡️ Dealer: this is the dealer.

➡️ Double up: The player can multiply their bet by two in exchange for an additional card.

➡️ Push: You get a total of points equivalent to that of the dealer. You don’t lose, but you don’t win either.

➡️ Card shuffler: Electronic system or person who shuffles the cards. This prevents card counting.

➡️ Natural: This is the equivalent of blackjack, being two cards that represent 21 points.

➡️ Point: Your hand represents a total between 17 and 21.

➡️ Rack: The croupier places the cards already played there.

➡️ Stand: The player does not ask for any additional cards and wishes to keep his result.

➡️ Stiff: Your hand is not an Ace or your Ace is worth only one point.

➡️ Shoe: This is where the deal cards are located. It can contain several decks of cards, usually 312 cards.

➡️ Split: The player can split their initial pair of cards into two different hands, in exchange for an additional bet that equals that second hand.

➡️ Soft: The reverse of the rigid hand. Your Ace is worth 1 or 11.

➡️ Bust: You lose your hand by going over 21.

➡️ Talon: It is the great synonym of the shoe, that is to say the box which groups the cards to be dealt by the croupier.

➡️ Hit: The player asks the dealer for an additional card.

The different blackjack

Blackjack 6 : 5:

This variant is played with a single deck of 52 cards. This variant may seem interesting, but stay on your guard. It offers the worst odds of winning. Effectively, the payouts for natural blackjack have gone from 3: 2 to 6: 5. With this variant, you lose between 1 and 1.5% more.

 Blackjack over / under 13:

This variant allows you to bet on the fact that the total of your first two cards is more than 13 or less than 13. On the other hand, Aces are always worth 1. This bet pays 1 against 1.

Red / Black Blackjack:

In this variant, you bet on the suit of the dealer’s first card. So, by putting your bets on the table, you determine whether that card is red or black. The house wins if its first card is a 2. In addition, the player will be paid 1 to 1, which means that you will get your stake and its amount back. This variant of blackjack increases your chances of winning wins.

Blackjack switch:

In this variant of blackjack, the odds are very favorable. The player has the option to play with two hands and can change the second hand card. He must then make two equivalent bets. Here, blackjack is only paid 1 to 1 and the dealer’s blackjack beats the player’s blackjack.

Royal Blackjack Match:

In this variant, you bet that your first two cards are of the same suit. This bet pays 1 to 1. Jumping, if you have a King and a Queen of the same color, ie a Royal Match. In this case, you win 10 times your stake.

Double Exposure Blackjack:

The dealer’s two cards are dealt face up, which gives the player an additional advantage. To compensate for this advantage, the dealer wins the game in the event of a tie. In addition, the player can neither give up his hand, nor take insurance.

Spanish 21 or Spanish Blackjack:

This variant of blackjack is played with eight decks without the 10. So there are only 48 cards left per deck. Removing the 10 puts players at a disadvantage. The player wins if he has a 21. If he has a 7-7-7 of the same suit and the dealer has 7, he is paid 50 to 1. If he has a 6-7-8 or a 7 -7-7 of any color he is entitled to a special bonus. After the surrender, the player can double down twice in a row, take insurance, or split hands.

Where you can play Blackjack?

You can play Blackjack on Stake, Cresus and LuckyLuke, the 3 sites mentioned are also available on mobile and tablet versions as well.

Conclusion

If luck plays a role in dealing the cards, strategy is also part of the game. Depending on the hands of the other players and the bank, an informed player will know whether to ask for another card, surrender or continue. Practice, you will learn to anticipate the possibilities of the game of the croupier and your chances of winning. Go ahead and decide when to stop, double the bet, draw or use the table suggested above.

We will end with the following problem: With the numbers 1,5,6,7 you have to come up with a total of 21 using them only once and using multiplication, addition, division and subtraction … If you have found the solution, do not hesitate to let us know via our social networks. Good luck.