Blackjack rules

Blackjack rules and game basics

Black Jack is a traditional card game where the player plays against the casino house (in this case, the dealer) and aims to collect 21 points or more points than the dealer. The rules of Blackjack use a simple point counting system:

1. All number cards give points according to their value.
2. All face cards give 10 points (J, Q, K).
3. Aces give 1 or 11 points, which are counted according to the player's choice. The ace is also called a “soft” card because it can change its value.
   
   

   Blackjack online. Where is the most reliable place to play?

   
   

Gameplay

At the beginning of each game, the dealer deals two cards to all players and one to themselves. In US Blackjack, the dealer deals two cards, but one is kept face down until the players finish their decisions. Once all players have received their cards, each of them in turn (from left to right) is given the opportunity to perform certain actions:

1. Hit – in this decision, the dealer gives the player another card. If the new point total does not exceed 21, the player makes further decisions. If the total exceeds 21, the player loses the round and their bet goes to the casino house.
   
   Taking additional cards with less than 12 points is always worth it, as no new card will bring the new point total above 21 (having 11 points and receiving an ace, it is automatically counted as 1). With 12 or more points, it is worth considering, as there is already a chance to lose the round. Fortunately, Blackjack basic strategy allows you to simply memorize all the optimal actions. We will discuss this strategy a little later.
2. Stand – in this decision, the player keeps all the cards (and the point total they have collected). Once the player stands, they are not allowed to take any further actions.
3. Split – this decision becomes possible only when the player receives two cards of the same value (for example, K and Q, K and K, 6 and 6, and so on, except for face cards and tens). Splitting the cards doubles the bet, as both cards play separately. This means that after splitting the cards, each can take additional cards. In such cases, the player has two chances to win against the dealer.
4. Double – this action is allowed only when the player's point total does not exceed 11. In this case, another bet of the same value is placed, and only one additional card is allowed. This decision is best used when the player has 9, 10, or 11, and the dealer has a low card.

More actions:

This is not a complete list of Blackjack rules. Sometimes two additional actions are allowed – surrender and buy insurance. These actions are usually not worth using, as in both cases, it is almost always a money-losing strategy. In the strategy section, you will see when, if these actions are allowed, it is worth using them. However, no strategically playing player uses the insurance action.

Video – Blackjack card game rules

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7HijQX34eQ

In many casinos, both live and online, the Black Jack game has at least a few tables. In particularly large casinos, Blackjack rules may differ slightly, but you will usually only see differences in minimum and maximum bets. In very high-stakes games, sometimes more favorable conditions are provided to the player, but these tables are usually reserved for high-roller players who can bet at least a few thousand per hand or more. Of course, such tables exist only in Las Vegas and Macau casinos.

Blackjack online

Due to the immense popularity of the game, players will easily find a place where they can play BlackJack online. Almost all online casinos will offer this game, but the presentation can vary greatly. Larger casinos (like 888Casino and others) will offer both automated and “live” games, involving a dealer and other players.

One of the bigger advantages of online casinos is the large selection of tables. In regular casinos, there will usually be one or just a few Black Jack tables, which may have betting limits unsuitable for the player. Online, you will always be able to find BlackJack tables with rules and bets suitable for every player. Online casinos also often offer various bonus systems, which are less frequently available when playing these games live. It is always recommended to take as much value as possible from the offered bonuses and constantly follow casino news to get better offers.

Automated game variants

Both automated and “live” games will be fair, as larger casino companies are often checked for their RNG systems. Of course, many players prefer to play “live” BlackJack tables, as the reliability is even greater. The shown dealer and live chat simulate the Black Jack game in a real casino quite well. For those not interested in live games, automated ones will often be much more appealing. Live games have one downside – slower gameplay. The dealer has to wait for all players' actions, interact with participants. These games also sometimes experience various disruptions, so they will often be significantly slower than automated ones. Typically, in live games, half as many hands are played per hour as would be played at a regular casino table. For those who want to experience the pleasure of Black Jack quickly and conveniently, automated game variants are the best fit. These games can even proceed faster than regular casino Black Jack, as they do not require a dealer.

Blackjack online. Where is the most reliable place to play?

Blackjack game and strategy

Knowing the rules of Blackjack, a strategy can be formulated for this game. Unlike games like roulette or slot machines, Black Jack probabilities change, so strategic play can significantly reduce the house edge.

One of the most important rules before forming any Black Jack game strategy is to check the dealer's rules. Many casinos use one of these two:

1. The dealer stands on a “soft” (having at least one ace) 17.
2. The dealer hits on a “soft” 17.

Sometimes the game's payouts can also differ. The most important difference is how much is paid out for getting 21 (or Blackjack). There are two different payout sizes – 3:2 and 6:5. The latter greatly increases the house edge, so it is not recommended to play at such tables. This rule change, unlike the dealer standing or hitting on 17, cannot be strategically exploited. In very rare cases, you can find casinos that offer a 2:1 payout for Blackjack. The likelihood of finding such a casino is extremely low, as it gives a greater advantage to the player, but if found, it would be best to play there.

Although it may seem a bit odd, the player has a greater advantage when the dealer stands (the first rule is used). Players win more often when the dealer's point total is lower, rather than when the dealer reaches a higher total than 21. The probability that the dealer will bust, exceeding 21 points, is 29.1% with the first rule and 29.6% with the second. The probability changes by just 0.5%, but the dealer gains a chance to surpass players who have 17 or more points.

Of course, long-time players have formulated Blackjack strategies for both types of rules, but if possible, it is always recommended to find tables that offer the most favorable set of Blackjack rules. Below we provide tables, commonly called “BlackJack basic strategy”. This is a strategy that always works, regardless of other game factors. Perfectly used “basic strategy” and traditional rules can reduce the house edge to 0.4%.

Explanation of the table:

Explanation of abbreviations:

1. H – hit (take)
2. S – stand (stand)
3. Dh – double if allowed, otherwise take
4. Ds – double if allowed, otherwise stand
5. P – split
6. Ph – split if doubling after splitting is allowed, otherwise take
7. Rh – surrender if allowed, otherwise take
8. Rs – surrender if allowed, otherwise stand
9. Rp – surrender if allowed, otherwise split

Additional Blackjack rules:

Long-term Blackjack players have a few additional rules for effective play:

1. Never take insurance.
2. If splitting is not possible, then the received cards should be treated as a “hard” point total (without an ace).

Some players use additional strategies, such as bet adjustments. Betting strategies themselves do not change the probability of winning, so they do not increase the chances of winning. These strategies can be applied when it seems appropriate to protect money or increase potential winnings. Betting strategies themselves do not change the probabilities of winning or losing, so if the game is losing in the long run, no betting strategy will change that.

Card counting is legal, but not liked by casinos

One of the less commonly used strategies in Blackjack is card counting. Card counting is legal, but not liked by casinos. If a casino notices that a player is using this strategy, they are usually thrown out without the possibility of returning. Often, if it is a franchise, this player may be banned from entering all of its casinos.

Card counting fascinates many potential Blackjack players, mostly due to the illusion created in movies that it is easy to make huge money. In reality, this strategy requires a lot of work, risk, a large bankroll, and the ability to find many different casinos near the place of residence.

Card counting relies on perfect knowledge of basic strategy, so just to start, you need to memorize the provided tables. Then players have to choose one of the card counting systems. More complex systems bring up to 0.X% more potential EV, but in most cases, they are almost impossible to exploit perfectly. Most card counters use the Hi-Lo system:

1. All cards up to 6 are +1.
2. 7-9 are 0.
3. T-A are -1.

Explanation in the table:

More complex systems introduce different values for cards (e.g., ace -2, some low cards +2, etc.). Using this system again requires perfectly tracking the game from the very beginning and keeping the calculated point total in mind according to Hi-Lo. When playing with multiple decks, the point total must constantly be divided by the remaining decks to get the “true count.” When the “true count” is more than 1, the player has an advantage. This advantage is very minimal unless a very high “true count” like 4-5 is achieved.

If card counting does not yet seem complicated, it should be remembered that the maximum EV per hand is ~2% using the Hi-Lo system. Players who engage in this strategy usually choose tables where it is possible to play 100 hands or more per hour. During all this time, it is essential not to make a single counting or basic strategy mistake. One mistake usually wipes out an hour's work due to potential losses at that moment.

In addition to the very low achievable EV, card counting requires managing the bankroll. With 200 bets, the ROR (Risk of Ruin) is 40 percent when playing with safe betting methods, which means reducing potential profit per hour.

So, the general conditions for card counting are as follows:

1. Learn two different strategies and follow them for 8 hours of play without making a single mistake.
2. Have many accessible, different casinos that use no more than 8 decks and do not use a shuffling machine.
3. Following the 2nd rule, the decks should be reshuffled rarely, with no more than 1 deck remaining.
4. Have a sufficient bankroll for the game and additional income if it is depleted.
5. Find Blackjack tables with suitable rules where it is possible to play about 100 hands per hour.
6. Remain undetected long enough to achieve profit.
7. Withstand huge variance, as the player rarely has more than a fifty-something percent chance of winning hands.

Many movies that depict card counting also show that players borrowed their money from investors and played in teams. Although there are card counters in the world who work alone, it is usually very impractical for people not living in places like Las Vegas, Macau, or similar locations.

Some players think that nowadays it is not necessary to live in places like Las Vegas or Macau because Blackjack is freely available online. Unfortunately, such dreams are usually quickly shattered by several factors. First, automated games all use shuffling machines, so counting cards there is simply impossible. Live games have other problems. First, the decks are shuffled very often, so the potential EV and variance increase significantly. Another problem is the speed of the game. In regular casinos, games are much faster because the dealer does not need to interact with an online chat, there is no video delay, and often you can find a table where you can play alone. Usually, in online casinos, if live Blackjack tables are played, the speed of the game is reduced by about half. Due to these factors, playing Blackjack online and counting cards is almost impossible. More Blackjack tips can be found here.

Card game 21 or eye

In Lithuania, Blackjack has long been called by other names such as 21 or eye, but now it is often presented as “Blackjack.” The name “Eye” caught on from the point counting systems, as the numbers on the cards were more often called “eyes” in the past (for example, 5 – five eyes). The card game eye in Lithuania, as well as worldwide, is very popular. The conditions offered for this game in regular casinos are quite good, as almost all places provide the most favorable Blackjack rules for the player. Of course, in regular Lithuanian casinos, we often find only one or two tables for Blackjack, so for many players, it will be most beneficial to choose online casinos. When choosing these and Blackjack tables, always pay attention to the appropriate or inappropriate game rules mentioned a little earlier. The best places to play Blackjack with the best rules can be found in the Poker School's recommended casino list.

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   Blackjack online. Where is the most reliable place to play?

   
   

The history of Blackjack

The roots of the history go back a long way, so, just like with roulette, no one knows the exact origin. However, there are some hints and different versions. The fact is that the initial versions of Blackjack rules have changed significantly. Possible origins include the French Vingt-et-un (literally – twenty-one), the Italian Sette e Mezzo (seven and a half), or another French game Quinze (fifteen).

Due to various bans in Europe, Blackjack first became popular in America. In the early 20th century, the game “Twenty-One” became very popular in Nevada, which some casinos spiced up by offering a 10:1 payout if the player scored 21 points with a spade ace and a black jack. Because of this, the game eventually got the name Blackjack or, as we are more accustomed to, Blackjack. After the legalization of casinos and the growing popularity of gambling, the rules were standardized, which were more or less the same in many casinos even outside the USA.

Card counting has been known since the mid-20th century

Around 1950, the first card counters appeared, who sought to increase their winnings and reduce or eliminate the casino's advantage. One of the most famous card counters was Jess Marcum, who was barred from many casinos. Later, more well-known players appeared, and books were published to help understand the game and card counting. Perhaps the most famous book, “Beat the Dealer,” was published in 1962. This book can still be purchased today.

The counting model consisted of two numbers – 16 and 36. These are the number of ten-point cards and all other remaining cards.

When the game began, the book's author, Edward Thorp, would count how many tens and other remaining cards were left. He would divide the number of remaining “other” cards by the number of tens to determine whether he should bet more. This calculation was later named the Thorp Ratio. Today, such a method is hardly feasible since the game is no longer played with a single deck of cards but with several. For example, 8 decks are often used, so the numbers would no longer be 16 and 36, but 128 and 288. This becomes quite complicated to calculate.

Undoubtedly, casinos adopted various methods to catch card counters and eliminate them from the game. Often, such players would find the doors closed to them at other casinos as well, making it very inconvenient to get caught. Some would improve their skills to avoid getting caught, while the other side would try to hunt down all the tricksters.