Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most popular and cherished card games you will find, right now, in casinos all over the world. What draws people in is the fantastic blend of simplicity and depth. Rules are easy enough to anyone to grasp, yet every decision you make can significantly impact the outcome of the game. So, we are going to take a closer look at the fascinating world of blackjack, covering the basic rules, some of the most popular variations and the online options available today.
The objective of the game
In this game, the objective is very simple: to win, you must reach the number 21, but not go beyond it. If this were to happen, the hand would then be lost. Each card in the game has its own specific value: the cards involving tricks, i.e. Jack, Queen and King have a value of 10, while the ace can be worth either 1 or 11. The value of the latter will depend on what is most useful according to the hand.
How a hand is played
At the start of the round, each player places his bet. The dealer then deals two cards to each player and two to himself: usually, the players’ cards are uncovered, while the dealer shows only one of his own. After the deal, the players decide how to proceed: they can ask for another card (‘hit’) or stay with the ones they have (‘stand’). If they feel safe, they can “double down”, i.e. double their bet and receive only one additional card. If they have a pair, they can “split” the cards (“split”) and play two separate hands. In some variants of the game, there is also the ‘surrender’ option, which allows you to withdraw from the hand and recover half of your bet.
After all players have made their choice, it is the banker’s turn. The bank follows strict rules, usually continuing to draw cards until it reaches at least 17. If the dealer busts, all players remaining in the game win. Otherwise, the scores are compared to determine the winner.
Possible outcomes
One can win if one’s total value is higher than that of the croupier, but without exceeding the number 21. Even if the croupier goes over the number 21, the hand can be considered won. In the case of a tie, i.e. with the same score, a so-called ‘push’ occurs: in essence, the bet is simply returned. When, on the other hand, you bust or make a lower score than the dealer, the bet is considered lost.
In all this, however, one special scenario must also be taken into account, namely blackjack: it occurs when the first 2 cards in the deck are an Ace and a card worth 10 points respectively. Usually, blackjack pays out at a ratio of 3 to 2, provided that the dealer does not also have a blackjack: in this case, the hand ends in a tie..
Insurance and strategies
Among the most interesting rules in the game is certainly the one concerning insurance. In fact, when the dealer shows an ace as the first card, each player can decide to place an additional bet in the hope that the dealer does not make a blackjack: this is precisely insurance. Should the dealer make blackjack, insurance would pay 2 to 1.
From a purely statistical point of view, therefore, insurance is not only a very smart move but also particularly useful in the long run. It represents an excellent basic strategy based on probabilities. Another good idea, for example, can be to split Aces and 8s, whereas one should never split two cards worth 10. Doubling down when one has an 11 is also a very smart move, in fact it is probably the best choice, because there is a very good chance of finding a 10 and consequently making 21.
Blackjack online
Thanks to digital platforms, blackjack has experienced great success online, with many variations available. Some online versions also include additional options, such as the possibility to surrender after drawing or to place special bets. These features make the game more dynamic and introduce an extra dash of strategy.A great place to explore all these variants is NetBet blackjack, where you can try both virtual games and live dealer games in a safe and well-regulated environment. And remember: wherever you decide to play, it is essential to always do so responsibly, even online!