How to play Blackjack
Introduction
Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino table games in Canada, and therefore available at all regulated online casinos. Often the game referred simply as 21.
Most of the players heard of blackjack at some point. Still, we fell it’s important to explain the rules of the game, and about different variations of it, so you’ll have a better chance of winning, when you’ll decide to play it at the casino of your choice.
Rules of the game
The rules of the game are very simple. You’re playing against the dealer, and you both try to make a hand of up to 21, when the closest to this number wins. All the cards in Online Blackjack worth their face value and all picture cards are worth 10. The Ace stands out, because it can be considered as either 1 or 11, depending on what’s best for you.
Players start by making a bet. Then you’ll be dealt two cards face up, and the dealer will also get two cards – one face up, and one face down. Then you have two options: Hit or Stand.
If you decide to “Hit” you will receive another card from the dealer. You can “Hit” As much as you want and get as many cards as you want, but you’ll lose automatically as soon as you go over 21.
If you “Stand” it means you’’ stop receiving additional cards and will stay with the number you have at your hand. Now the dealer begins his hand. First he will reveal his second card, which was hidden until now, and then he will play Roulette or by the Blackjack rules. They vary slightly from game to game, but usually the dealer “hits” until he stays on 17 or go over 21, in which case you will win. If the dealer’s hand is more than yours when he “stands”, he will win and you will lose.
Advanced Options
In more advanced game of Blackjack you also have another options, like “Surrender”, “Double Down”, “Splitting”, “Insurance”, Multi-Hand”, and “Side Bets”.
When you choose “Surrender” option it means you fold your hand and will receive back half of your bet. This option is a good idea when you are sure you’re going to lose.
“Double down” means you can double your bet after the first two cards. If you chose this option, you can’t receive any more cards, and now the dealer will begin his hand.
Different Varieties of Blackjack
Online slots are computer programs, so the odds of winning are the same every time you play. In addition, the spins are generated randomly, so it’s hard to calculate the odds. Still, there are some advice we can give:
Classic Blackjack: The one we described above
European Blackjack: Similar to classic, with one important difference – the dealer receives one card face-up in the beginning of the game. When you finish your move, he will receive the second card.
American Blackjack: The dealer receives two cards, both of them face-up – the same as the other players. New players prefer this variety, because it makes the decision a bit easier.
Spanish 21: Very different than the other versions. First, all 10’s are removed from the deck, leaving 48-card deck. Secondly, you can always Double Down, not only after the first two cards. And third, if you have a hand of 21, you beat the dealer no matter what (usually if the dealer also has 21, it called a push or a tie. This means your bet remains on the table, and you can re-bet it or place a new wager).
Pontoon: A variation of Spanish 21, also without the 10’s in the deck. But you have some extra features like doubling after a split and late surrender.
Double Attack: Another variation of 48-cards deck. The extra option here is the “Double Attack” – after the dealer first card is dealt you can double attack and raise your bet.
Summary
Each of the blackjack games has a help menu with all the required information – game rules, payouts, terminology and odds. So you can always see what options you have in the game you chose.
