(Stock photo ID: 2310535813)
Card games have been around for centuries now, even before the creation of the glossy playing cards we all know today. One of the most enduring card games of them all is Blackjack, which can trace its history back to Europe in the 17th century.
This classic game – also known as Vingt-et-Un or 21 – is quite simple at its core, with players aiming to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible. But before you play a game of Blackjack it’s important to have a proper idea of the rules in play, whether you’re playing online or in a land-based casino.
Card values
In a game of Blackjack, the value of the cards in your hand is one of the key factors. Number cards are all valued as you’d expect – a two is worth two, and a nine is worth nine – while the Jack, Queen and King all count as tens.
The only card with a variable value is the Ace, which can function as either a 1 or an eleven. This creates a level of flexibility in gameplay, allowing players to take the chance on an extra card with a lower risk of going bust when they hold an Ace.
Most casinos will use multiple decks to expand the number of each different card in play, while online games often reshuffle their digital deck after each draw to increase the element of randomness.
The basic order of gameplay
At the start of a game two cards are dealt to each player, as well as the dealer themselves. Generally, a player’s cards are dealt face-up, but in some versions of Blackjack they are dealt face-down. The dealer will almost always have one card face-up and their second face-down.
Once the initial hands are all dealt out play will progress around the table, with each player determining their actions in turn. Provided they didn’t receive 21 immediately – known as a natural Blackjack – players have four main options:
- Hit – taking an additional card to increase the value of their hand
- Stand – keeping their hand at its current value and ending their turn
- Double down – doubling their initial wager to take just one extra card, which can only usually be done on their first action
- Split – in the case of getting two initial cards of the same value, splitting them into two separate hands to be played independently of each other
Once each player has concluded their turn – by either going bust or choosing to stand – play switches to the dealer. This is when they reveal their face-down card, revealing the value of their hand.
What happens next slightly depends on the house rules, but if the dealer’s hand is valued at less than 17 then they must hit until they reach at least that value. This creates the opportunity for the dealer to potentially go bust themselves, which would result in a payout for every player with a hand still in the game.
If the dealer doesn’t go bust then they will compare their hand value against that of each remaining player, with a payout going to any players with a better hand.
Understanding the basic rules and gameplay flow of Blackjack is essential for players who want to get the most out of their time playing. Think carefully before you make your decisions and pay close attention to the value of the dealer’s initial card.
