Our quick and easy guide to online blackjack will answer everything you ever wanted to know about the second-most popular casino game (surpassed only by slots). In this classic table game, you’ll require a lot more than luck to increase your chances of winning.
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide to the traditional table game, either offline or online. So whether you’ve never played before or you have some experience and you’re looking to brush up on your skills, you’re sure to find some valuable information.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know before you face the dealer.
Basic online blackjack rules
It goes without saying that it’s crucial to know the rules of the game, which is why we’re here to break them down for you. The goal of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand while avoiding going bust (which means drawing a hand that exceeds a total of 21). The player will win if their hand adds up to a number that’s closer to 21 than the dealer’s, or the dealer goes bust. In this card game, even if there are other players at the table, it is still just you against the dealer – because the other players winning or losing will not affect your hand. You effectively play the game independently of anyone else present at the table (real or virtual), except the dealer.
To start, you have to place a bet. When you’re playing casino games like blackjack online, you’ll find each table will set an upper and a lower limit for how much you can bet. Once you’ve selected the online table that suits you – there are many variants to choose from, including
First Person Blackjack and
Hi-Lo Blackjack – you can “sit down” and start playing.
Online blackjack games require players to place a bet by simply clicking on the chip denomination seen on the screen, and then clicking again on the table to place the bet down. After the bet size selection, press the “DEAL” button and the game will begin. Depending on whether it’s a live blackjack variant or a regular version of the
casino game, the cards are either dealt by a real-life dealer or by RNG (random number generator) software.
Each player receives two cards face up, while the dealer is dealt two cards (one face up and one face down).
The following options are available to each player, who takes their turn, starting from the seat to the left of the dealer:
- Stand: If the player is happy with the cards they’ve been dealt, they will keep their hand intact, sit tight, and hope that the dealer’s hand doesn’t total up to more than theirs.
- Hit: The player can choose to draw another card (the dealer will oblige), and can continue to draw cards while avoiding exceeding 21 – which would mean that they’d gone bust. Once the player is happy they’ve got as close to 21 as possible, they then “stand”.
- Double: The player opts to double the size of their bet, and will receive one extra card.
- Split: This only happens when the player’s initial two cards are of the same value (a pair). The player has the option to split the cards into two separate hands, at which point, they’ll be dealt an additional card for each hand. The player is also required to place an additional bet on the new hand which matches the original bet.
- Surrender: The player chooses to give up (fold) immediately, instead of choosing to draw new cards. Half of their original bet is returned to their chip stack, while the other half is forfeited to the dealer.
Card values
- Any card with a value of 2 to 10 is worth exactly that (the “pip” value).
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are all worth 10.
- Aces can be worth 1 or 11 – the choice is yours.
- Your most obvious way of forming 21 is with an ace and a face, or picture card. This is called a “blackjack”, or sometimes a “natural”.
After the cards are dealt
Once the player has made their decisions based on their initial two cards, the dealer will reveal their hole card (the one that was face down). If the dealer’s hand totals 16 or less, they’ll draw another card and must stand if they have 17 or more. Be aware, though, that some
online casino sites will allow the dealer to hit on a “soft” 17 (an ace and a 6).
If the dealer goes bust, the player will win the game and receive the sum of the bet that they placed. If the dealer does not go bust, then the winning hand will be the one with the higher total out of the dealer’s and player’s. In the event that a player and the dealer have the same total, the hand is considered a “push” and the bet is returned to the player.
Popular online blackjack games
This card game has a huge number of variations, both in brick-and-mortar and online casinos, each with its own unique take on the original. Here are a few that you can play right here at Spin and Win:
Blackjack – NetEnt
If you’re looking to learn more about the classic rules of this popular casino game, Blackjack – NetEnt will reign superior with its traditional rules and incredible visuals. You get to play against a virtual dealer and split your hand if you get pairs.
European Blackjack Switch
In this variant, players can look forward to features such as Turbo Mode and Left-Hand Mode. The game still has the same concept as the traditional format, but with extra fun. You can start by making two bets of equal size in European Blackjack Switch. The RTP (return to player) is 99.60% for this stellar game.
Zappit Blackjack
In this version of the 21-number game, as it’s also known, players can encounter a fresh twist. If your initial cards are a hard 15 to 18 in total value, you can choose to “Zappit”. This means you can swap those cards with two new random cards. Play
Zappit Blackjack for a fun new twist on the classic table game.
Play online casino games including blackjack at Spin and Win
Now that you have a better grasp of the beloved 21-number game and you’re aware of the many variants, including Vegas Single Deck Blackjack and Blackjack Perfect Pairs, why not unleash the fun at Spin and Win?
Sign up with Spin and Win, where you’ll have access to the top games titles and the best game providers. We provide the best slots, table and card, scratch and arcade, and
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