4 Things You Need to Know Before Playing Blackjack

Blackjack, also known to some people as “21,” is one of the most popular casino games.

With a simple concept that’s easy to play and a little bit of strategy involved, it’s no wonder why many people love this game. Not only that, but there are a lot of strategies you can use in this game that revolves mainly around statistics.

You don’t need to be a math wizard to win in this game as even the most basic strategies are enough. If you’re new to the game or are familiar with it but have never played it with money before, you’re in luck. Jowever, you need to know some things before playing blackjack, and we are here today to talk about them.

How to Play Blackjack

If you forgot how to play, don’t worry as the game is not as complicated as it looks. Before the dealer deals the cards in a casino setting, you need to place a bet first. After that, the dealer will deal with two cards for himself and the players. The game’s main goal is to have a hand that has a value that is as close to the number 21 as possible, hence the name. The number cards are directly equal to their face value, and the face cards are valued 10.

Depending on the rules of the games, which have several variations, the ace is either worth 1 or 11. As mentioned just now, the goal is to be as close to 21 as possible, but that’s not necessarily true if you want to win the game. It’s merely an oversimplification as your ultimate goal is to be closer than the dealer without getting over. If your initial hand is 21, it’s blackjack, and you win. If it’s not, the dealer will go around the table and ask the players if they want to hit or stand.

The dealer won’t give you a card when you stand, but if you say hit, the dealer will deal you a single card. If your hand is not over 21 at this point, then you’re safe. If it does, then it’s a bust, and you lose. Some variations of the rules allow you to hit multiple times, but it’s not recommended as your likelihood of getting a bust increases every time you hit.

When to Hit/Stand

If you’re hesitating every time you’re offered these choices, then there are a few things you need to remember. The first is to remember that the dealer must continue hitting if his card is 16 or less. Remember that you’re only allowed to see the dealer’s first card, and it’s best to practice assuming the down card value of 10.

With this knowledge, you can use a few strategies like if the dealer 2 or 3 on the first card, then keep hitting until you reach 13 and above. If he has 4 to 6, then go for 12 and above. And if he has seven or above, hit until you reach 17.

Blackjack has a Low House Advantage

If you have been to a casino multiple times before, you must have heard of the saying, “Vegas wasn’t built on winners.” If you didn’t get that saying, it means that no matter how many people became big winners, the casino will always have the mathematical edge to win in the long run. It makes sense because if people always have the advantage over the casino, then the casino won’t have any business.

Some games have a low house advantage, and one of them is blackjack. It’s also one of the reasons why people love this game. This means that you have a higher chance of winning a game of blackjack as a player. However, it’s better to note that the house advantage varies on every blackjack strategy you use. Some strategies cut down the house advantage to 2%, even if the most basic strategy cuts it down to less than 1%.

Payout

Of course, no one would play blackjack if it pays low. That said, casinos either have their payout by 3:2 or 6:5. If you don’t know what these numbers mean, here is an example. You bet $10 on casino A, which has 3:2, and casino B with 6:5.

In casino A, you win $15 for your winning hand if you win. On the other hand, you will be paid $12 for casino B. Of course, the most popular one is the former. However, it all depends on the casino and how they want to run their blackjack games, but these ratios for payouts are the most common. This fixed payout is also why blackjack is popular even online. Online blackjack is also as popular, if not more popular than the best online slots in most sites nowadays.

Final Words

Blackjack is a fun game with tons of excitement no matter how many times you play it. It’s understandable since it’s a card game involving luck and a little strategy. If you want to learn some basic things about blackjack, then this article should be a good start for you.