Steve Wynn, American Businessman “Casino gambling is colourful and dramatic and theatrical.”
Blackjack, being one of the most widespread casino games, can be fun to play as well as profitable. But unlike slot games where you just get to spin away, it actually takes some effort to get a full grasp of the workings of blackjack. Especially for beginners who have little to no understanding of the game, these sorts of guides become entirely necessary.
Particularly in a rooted casino gambling region like Canada, you could still be unaware of certain rules and dynamics, even with some experience. Carrying on, we’ll be spelling out the most basic and unavoidable items in the blackjack rule book. Stay on.
The Objective of the Game
Typically, rules suggest an underlying goal, an objective, which is the very essence of most gambling games. To arrive at an objective that is hugely determined by chance. So, to get a proper understanding of the rules, you need to completely understand the objective of blackjack.
To win in a blackjack game, you’ll have to beat the dealer (officiator) by having a total point card value as close to 21 as possible, without going over. To arrive at this reality, one of the following events has to fall into place;
- Hold a hand value higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21
- Have the dealer’s hand exceed 21 (Bust)
- Get an Ace and a 10-value on the first two cards
Note that the last condition results in an automatic win, but if the dealer has an ace, it doesn’t.
Understanding What are the basic rules of Blackjack
Now, as with every organized gambling activity, blackjack proceeds in stages, with strict rules guiding each one. Whether you are playing at the tables or online at the more than 200 casino sites at CasinoCanada.com, the rules apply.
To that end, let’s detail the regular progression of the blackjack game together with the rules of each stage.
Join a Blackjack Table
As an individual, joining a blackjack table is usually the first step to starting blackjack. It is considered a stage because you’d have to join a table that fits your budget, skill, and gaming experience. This goes for both online and on-land casino providers, as there are normally different tables with varying betting limits and all.
The most salient rule in this stage is to go for tables where you can cope with the bet size as irregularities are usually not tolerated. Once you sit down or engage, it’s game on.
Purchase Chips and Place Bets
Blackjack preliminaries involve getting chips and buying in (placing bets). Now, if you are playing at an online casino, simply making a deposit would suffice. Once your chips are in hand, you’ll have to place your bet in the betting circle in front of you. And as expected, the size of your bet will determine the potential payout amounts.
The moment all bets are locked in, the operator starts dealing the cards. Every player receives two cards, including the dealer, one of which stays hidden (face-down card). Here’s a rundown of the cards you’ll be getting. These account for the numbers, aces and alphabets (Jack, Queen and King) in the deck.
- Hearts
- Diamonds
- Clubs
- Spades
Playing a Hand
Kenny Rogers, American Singer – “If you’re going to play Blackjack, know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em“.
Playing hands is where blackjack gaming begins proper. Depending on the value of your two cards and the dealer’s visible card, you must then make decisions. Following the rules, your decision has to be one of the following, in most cases;
- Stand: Resolve to keep your current hand, forgoing the option to take another card.
- Hit: Requesting an additional card to augment your hand value. You can hit till you are satisfied or you bust.
- Double Down: Doubling your original bet for the leverage of committing to only one additional card.
- Split: If you were dealt two cards of the same value, you may split them into two different hands with separate bets.
- Surrender: Depending on your casino, you may be able to forfeit half your original bet and end your hand early. This works if you think you can’t beat the dealer.
Dealer Reveals His Cards
Once all decisions are made, the dealer then reveals their hole or face-down card. Afterward, the dealer is obligated to follow the rules as well. In essence, the dealer hits if his hand totals 16 or less and stands if it’s 17 or higher. The dealer’s choices are not as flexible as the player’s as they must adhere to these strict rules.
Determining the Winner
Once the dealer completes their turn, the rules once again determine the winner. For this, the player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s. If your hand’s total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, without going over, you win. If the dealer exceeds 21, the dealer busts and every remaining player gets their bets.
If the round results in a tie, with the dealer and player having the same hand value, the player’s bet is returned (pushed).
See who is closest to 21
Finally, the ultimate rule is to make comparisons based on which hand is closest to 21. Players who somehow hit exactly 21 have the best possible hand, called a Blackjack. And provided the dealer doesn’t also have a blackjack, that payout is arranged instantly. The ultimate rule is to try and get as close to 21 as possible, without going over.
Card Values/Scoring
Card values in blackjack are pretty straightforward. The number cards (2-10) count as their face value. While face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings), each have a 10 point count. Finally, aces can be a 1 or 11, depending on what the hand requires.
Fun Fact: When dealt two aces, you can split them into two separate hands, but you can only receive one more card per ace in most casinos.