Blackjack

Blackjack is the most popular casino table game.

Introduction

Blackjack reigns supreme as the most favored table game in casinos worldwide. This classic card game can be found at virtually every online gambling platform. With its low house advantage and reasonable variance, blackjack proves ideal for bonus wagering when permitted.

Rules and Gameplay

In blackjack, hand values are determined by summing card points. For instance, a hand containing 4, 5, and 6 totals 15 points. All face cards (Jack, Queen, King) carry 10 points each. Aces flexibly count as either 1 or 11 points - an Ace paired with 7 could equal 8 or 18. The goal is achieving the highest possible total without exceeding 21. Exceeding 21 (busting) immediately loses the bet, regardless of the dealer's hand. A natural "blackjack" (two-card 21) represents the strongest possible hand and earns a 3:2 payout, while regular wins pay even money (1:1).

The game begins with both participant and dealer receiving two cards, with one dealer card face up. Standard rules require the dealer to check for blackjack when showing an Ace or 10-value card. Players facing a dealer's Ace may purchase insurance (paying 2:1 against dealer blackjack), though this side bet typically carries a 2-15% house edge and proves mathematically unfavorable (except in specific card-counting scenarios).

If the dealer doesn't have blackjack, players choose from these options:

Stand - Keep current hand and conclude play

Hit - Draw additional cards until satisfied or busted

Double - Double the wager for exactly one more card, available only on two-card hands

Split - Divide matching cards into separate hands with additional bets (special rules apply to split Aces)

Basic Strategy

The optimal blackjack strategy involves making mathematically sound decisions based on your hand versus the dealer's upcard. Key principles include:

Always hit hard totals of 8 or less

Stand on hard 17 or higher

Double down on 9 versus dealer 3-6, 10/11 versus weak dealer cards

Never split 10-value cards or 5s

Always split Aces and 8s

Card counting systems can further reduce the house edge when playing with physical decks, though online games typically use continuous shuffling machines that neutralize this advantage.