Online Blackjack
Blackjack is easily one of the most popular card games you will find at any online casino. The objective is to get a hand value closer to 21 than that of the dealer without going bust (exceeding 21). Players win by holding a hand closer to 21 than that of the dealer; or if the dealer goes bust. To play Blackjack online visit Royal Vegas casino.
Card Values
In blackjack the point values of the cards 2-10 are at face value, all of the face cards are values at 10 and Aces can be valued at 1 or 11 depending on which values suits your hand best. The suit of the cards is irrelevant. Many people enjoy playing blackjack because it combines the skill of following a strategy with luck, unlike other casino games such as pokies which are 100% down to luck.
How to Play
To begin, players place their stakes before being dealt two cards face up and the dealer receives two cards – one face up and the other hidden. There are some rules and terminology that players should have some knowledge of before playing blackjack, the most important of which are detailed below:
- Hit: this is when you accept additional cards to your original two in an attempt to get a hand value closer to 21. As long as your hand remains under 21 you may hit as many times as you like.
- Stand: this is when you decide to stay with your hand by refusing anymore cards.
- Blackjack: you obtain blackjack if you are dealt 21 on your initial hand (i.e. an Ace accompanied by a face card or a ten). Unless the dealer also shows blackjack you will be paid 2.5x your stake. A blackjack is ranked higher than a hand of 21 made from 3 or more cards.
Once the player is happy with their hand the dealer reveals their second card. The dealer must stand on 17 and hit on hands worth 16 or less. If the dealer goes bust they automatically lose and the player wins. Once the dealer has finished, the hand closest to 21 wins unless there is a draw.
Some additional options associated with blackjack are detailed in the following paragraphs:
Doubling
This option allows you to double your bet in exchange for only one additional card. This is normally only offered when your initial hand is of a certain value (usually between 9-11). This can be a good option when the dealer has a weak face up card (such as a 6) and you fancy your chances of winning.
Splitting
If your initial hand is a pair you will be offered the option of splitting. Choosing to split means that your hand is split into two new hands for you to play with separately. As you now effectively have an extra hand your stake is automatically doubled – one for each hand.
Insurance
If the dealer is dealt an Ace card face up, you will be offered the option of insurance which protects you in the event of the dealer attaining blackjack. Taking insurance means that you place a bet of half your current stake. If the dealer draws blackjack – and if this beats your hand – you lose the stake on your hand but win the insurance bet which pays 2x the stake. If the dealer does not draw blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the game continues as normal.
Our favourite online casino for playing blackjack is Royal Vegas casino.
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