Livecasino Casino Blog
Live dealer
QUICK SUMMARY
- Blackjack is a simple card game where players play against the dealer and aim to get the total score of their cards closer to 21.
- Card scores are counted as 2 to 10, J, Q, and K are counted as 10 points, and A (Ace) is counted as 1 or 11 points.
- If the first two cards dealt are an Ace and a 10-point bill, and you get 21 points, it is a "blackjack" and you will receive a higher payout than a normal win.
- Players can select actions such as ``Hit (draw a card)'', ``Stand (not draw)'', ``Double Down (double your bet and draw one card)'', and ``Split (divide cards with the same number into two hands)''.
- If the total number of cards in your hand exceeds 21, it becomes a "burst" and you lose at that point.
- It is one of the most popular casino games because even beginners can easily remember the rules and learn strategies to increase their winning rate.
Blackjack is one of the most strategic casino games, and the choice of action can significantly impact winning or losing. However, if you are playing blackjack for the first time, you may have questions about ‘how to count cards’, ‘how to bet’ and ‘how to strategise’.
This article briefly explains the rules of blackjack so that anyone can understand them. It also touches on intermediate-level content, such as betting and strategy, so read below before you start playing the game.
Blackjack is a game played with playing cards.
As you may already know, blackjack is a card game using playing cards. In online casinos, the game is played by removing cards one by one from a shoe, a case containing playing cards and dealing them to the player and the dealer.
There are six to eight decks built into the shoe, allowing for a large number of games to be played in a single shuffle.
*A deck is a clump of 52 cards in total, from A to K. As one deck contains 52 cards, six decks mean that 312 cards are contained in the shoe, and eight decks mean that 412 cards are contained in the shoe.
Blackjack rules
The rules of blackjack are very simple. Both the player and the dealer collect cards so that the total of the numbers is close to 21, and the player who is closer to 21 without going over in the end wins. The player can stop drawing cards himself or can draw cards as many times as he wishes until the total is 22 or more, and the action he chooses has a significant impact on the winner.
Drawing cards is not the only action a player can choose. A wide range of options are available, such as doubling your wager or splitting the cards you are dealt in two.
If the first two cards bring the total to 21, the player has a blackjack, and unless the dealer has blackjack as well, the player wins on the spot. Live blackjack is popular in online casinos, where about eight players can be seated at one table and can enjoy playing with the dealer.
Special rules for dealers
The rule in blackjack is that the player is free to choose the action, but the dealer must force the player to choose the action according to a set of rules.
- Always choose to hit when the total is less than 17
- Always choose Stand when the total is 17 or more.
The dealer is forced to choose an action on the boundary of the number 17. Therefore, when attacking blackjack, it is important to choose your action based on the number of the dealer's upcard and how much you expect the total to be.
※The upcard is the one of the two cards dealt to the dealer that is dealt face up.
How to count cards
The card counting system in blackjack is slightly different from other casino games.
Aces are counted in ones or eleven
In blackjack, A (Ace) can be counted as either 1 or 11. It is up to the player to choose which number to count with, so it can be substituted at will depending on the number of cards dealt. For example, if an A and an 8 are dealt, the player can choose to count either ‘1+8=9’ or ‘11+8=19’.
Count 2-9 as they are
Cards 2-9 are counted as they are. For example, if 5 and 9 are dealt, the two numbers are summed up as they are: 5+9=14.
10, J, Q and K count as 10.
Ten, J, Q and K count as 10. Cards that count as 10s are very important in blackjack, as four different cards count as 10s, making them the most common of all cards. For example, if you are dealt an A and a J, you can count ‘1+10=11’ or ‘11+10=21’.
How victory or defeat is decided
There are only three blackjack game outcomes.
- Wi
- nning
- Lose
- Blackjack Draw
This section explains under what circumstances the results are derived.
Win
If the player's number is closer to 21 than the dealer's or the dealer bursts above 22, the player wins. If the dealer bursts above 22 when the player's number is less than 21, the player wins, no matter how far away from 21 the number is.
Lose
If the player's number is further away from 21 than the dealer, or if the player bursts with 22 or more, he loses and forfeits his wager. The player must choose the action before the dealer, so if the player bursts first, the player loses regardless of the dealer's number.
Blackjack draw
If the player's numbers and the dealer's numbers are the same, the blackjack result is a tie. In the event of a tie, all wagers are returned.
Blackjack payouts
Blackjack pays out when you win, but the payout multiplier depends on how you win.
Winning on blackjack pays 2.5 times
Winning on Blackjack, where the first two cards dealt give you a total of 21, can earn you a 2.5x payout. For example, if you bet $10 and win on blackjack, you will receive a payout of $25.
Winning on anything other than blackjack is 2x
If the first two cards do not total 21 and you choose subsequent actions that result in a number closer to 21 than the dealer, or the dealer bursts, you can win a 2x payout. For example, if you bet $10 and hit once and win, you receive a $20 payout.
Actions that can be selected in blackjack
The following are the actions that players can choose from in blackjack. Understanding all of these actions and being able to choose the best action at the right time will help you to get the best out of blackjack.
Hit
A hit is to draw a card. When the first card dealt is not far from 21, for example, declare a hit and draw a card. You can choose to hit as many times as you like until you burst.
Stand
Stand means to draw no more cards; choose this option when you are close to 21 and drawing a card would bring you to 22 or more and you are likely to burst.
Blackjack Double Down
Blackjack Double Down is an action where instead of drawing just one card, you double your wager. As you can only draw one card, regardless of the number of cards you draw, you can double your winnings if you win, although there is a risk involved.
Split
Split is an action where you split the first two cards you are dealt into two hands. For example, if you are first dealt two A's and by splitting them in two you can then draw a 10, which will result in a blackjack.
Insurance
If the upcard dealt to the dealer is an A, insurance is the action of placing an additional bet of half your wager and expecting the dealer to give you a blackjack. If you play insurance and the dealer gets a blackjack, you win double the payout.
Surrender
Indicates that the player accepts defeat and surrenders. Surrender is not normally an option in blackjack, but some tables have special rules, such as returning part of the wager by surrendering.
How to play blackjack
Here's how to play blackjack in four steps.
- Step 1: Bet the amount you want to wager
- Step 2: Player action
- Step 3: Dealer action
- Step 4: Determining the winner
Step 1: Bet the amount you want to wager.
Bet any amount.
Step 2: Player action
Two cards are dealt to the player and two cards to the dealer, and the player chooses his action.
Step 3: Dealer action
When the player action ends, the dealer action begins. The dealer repeats the hit until 17 or more is reached, at which point the dealer chooses to stand.
Step 4: Determining the winner
When the dealer action ends, the winner is determined.
Blackjack strategy
Blackjack is one of the highest paying games in online casinos. It is said that just by playing normally, the return rate is about 99%, and by using a strategy, the return rate can exceed 100%.
There are two blackjack strategies that you should know about
- Basic
- strategy
- Coun
- ting
Basic strategy
Basic strategy is the basic strategy of blackjack. It aims to select the action with the highest chance of winning according to your numbers and the dealer's upcard, and the strategy chart allows you to see at a glance which action to select.
Gambling aims to make a positive long-term balance by pursuing the expected value, but when Basic Strategy is mastered and practised, the rate of return exceeds 100% and you can continue to earn money consistently.
Counting
Counting is a strategy that is ideal for keeping track of the total cards dealt and identifying when the odds are in the player's favour, such as betting at the right time or raising the stakes.
Blackjack is said to favour the player the more big numbers left in the shoe. This is because the player is more likely to get a blackjack, whereas the dealer must always hit 17, which increases the chance of a burst.
If you find the right moment to win by counting, you can make more wins and thus earn more money efficiently while minimising your losses.
Play Blackjack at online casinos!
Blackjack is a popular game offered at all online casinos. One of the best ways to enjoy realistic blackjack is live blackjack, which is played at live casinos. The game is facilitated by a real dealer, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of being in a real casino.
There are many live blackjack tables available on livecasino.io. There is a wide range of providers, so find a table with the atmosphere you prefer and enjoy blackjack.
Frequently asked questions.
What happens if we both have 21 points in blackjack?
If both players have 21, the result is a tie. However, if the player gets 21 on the first two cards and the blackjack is established, the player wins even if the dealer hits 21.
How do K and A count in blackjack?
K is counted as 10 and A is counted as 1 or 11.
What kind of game is blackjack?
It is a game in which the sum of the numbers is brought closer to 21. The player who is closer to 21 eventually wins.
