Blackjack 101: How to play

The online casino sphere is ever-growing. To satisfy the demand, developers are constantly creating exciting games with something new and unique to offer for both newbie and seasoned players.

Despite this, several players still prefer playing the classics. This includes poker, roulette, and more. The reason behind this could be because there is a sense of familiarity with these games and they can employ strategies that makes them more fun to play

One of the best gambling games online thousands enjoy is blackjack. Here is a quick guide on how the game works and some strategies you can use when playing:

The basics of blackjack

Blackjack is a card game played between the player and the dealer. The objective of the game is to have a hand value that, while staying under 21, is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand value. Each card in the deck has a value, with the ace having a value of either 1 or 11, depending on the player's preference, and the face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) having a value of 10.

Gameplay

Blackjack games start with the player placing their wagers on the game. The dealer then deals two cards to the player and two cards to themselves, with one card face up and one card face down. The player then has the option to ‘hit’ and receive another card, or ‘stand’ and keep their current hand.

The dealer then shows their face-down card after each player has finished their turn and decides whether to hit or stand based on a preset set of rules. If the dealer's hand value is less than 17, they must hit; if it is 17 or more, they must stand.

The player wins if their hand value is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand value while staying under 21. If a player's hand value is more than 21, they 'bust' and forfeit their wager. The game is a tie and the player's wager is refunded if both the player and the dealer have the same hand value.

Strategies to employ when playing blackjack

Now that you are familiar with the game’s basics and gameplay, it is time to learn about some strategies. There are tons of different strategies that will help improve your odds of winning. Here are some to keep in mind:

Card counting

Card counting is a strategy used by some players in blackjack to gain an advantage over the casino. It involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt with and using this information to make better decisions in future hands.

By keeping a running count of the high and low cards that have been played, players can adjust their bets and make more accurate decisions on whether to hit, stand, or double down.

Martingale system

A popular betting strategy in casino betting, the Martingale system also applies to blackjack. This gambling games online strategy involves doubling your bet after each loss, to recover your losses and make a profit. In blackjack, players using the Martingale system would double their bet after each loss, hoping to win back their previous losses with a single win.