do you want to play blackjack? have you seen the movie 21: Blackjack and got interested in the game? Then this article is for you: we are going to explain the rules and basics of this popular card game, so that you can gradually become a blackjack expert.
Blackjack is the modern adaptation of a very ancient game: La Veintiuna, which was played in the Spain of Miguel de Cervantes. Today, it is one of the two most popular gambling games in the world. The other great betting game is poker, do you already know how to play it? If you are interested, we invite you to go through our beginner’s guide so you can learn it.
If you are ready, let’s lay out the cards, and let’s learn the rules of blackjack.
Source: pexels
Objective of the game
The objective of blackjack is simple: each player individually faces the dealer, seeking to get 21 points, or the closest possible number, without going over. To achieve this, each player is dealt two cards at the start.
If the first two cards add up to 21, it is the best possible play, and is called Blackjak. When players do not reach 21, they can ask for extra cards to get there, but if they go over 21 they automatically lose.
The dealer, who is also part of the game, has his own house rules in blackjack. He receives two cards, and his options are very clear:
If he has 16 or less, he is obliged to draw another card.
If he has 17 or more, he must stand.
The dealer beats all players who go over 21, and all those who have a hand of lesser value than his. If he has 19 points, for example, he beats all players with 18 or less and 22 or more.
He loses to the players who have a higher hand, and to all those who have stood in case he exceeds 21 points. A tie in blackjack is between the dealer and players who have the same number of points.
Card values in blackjack
In blackjack, cards have their own value. If we want to play better and better and add our 21 points, we must know to the letter the value that corresponds to each card in the deck.
The value of the cards in blackjack is as follows:
The Ace is the only one that has two values, 1 and 11. The player who has the Ace can choose its value as it suits him.
The cards from 1 to 10 are valued according to their numbering.
The Jack, Queen and King share the value of 10 points.
Now you know, as every good blackjack 21 player should know, that in a 52-card deck, 16 cards are worth 10 points.
How to play blackjack: turns and mechanics
Table and dealer
Blackjack is played on a semicircular or crescent table. On the straight side of the table is the dealer, while on the curved side are the players. The dealer directs the game, indicates the times, deals and removes the cards and manages the payment of bets. He is also in charge of playing on behalf of the dealer.
Source: pexels
Betting round
The first step in blackjack is the betting round. Each player seated at the table places his bet in his playing area, a bet for which a maximum and minimum limit is established beforehand. The dealer, for the dealer, does not bet, he plays against each player for the same amount he has bet.
Deal of cards
Once the bets are placed, the blackjack hand begins. The dealer deals two cards to each participant, starting with the player to his left, and in a clockwise direction, he deals the cards one by one. All these cards are turned face up, exposing their value, except for one of the dealer’s cards, of which we see only one of his cards.
If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, it gives players the option of insurance: it allows participants to bet that the dealer will have Blackjack, so that they could get back a portion of their original bet. why? Because there are 16 cards worth 10 points, so the chances of getting blackjack increase considerably with an Ace, which can be worth 1 or 11.
Blackjack Turns
Once the cards have been dealt, the player to the left of the dealer begins and has several possible options to win the blackjack game:
Split: If the cards were of equal value, he can split them to have two hands. A second card will be added to each single card, but in this version of blackjack this means that you will not be able to draw cards again
Draw: To get to Blackjack or as close to it as possible, the player can draw as many cards as he wants. If he goes over 21, his cards and the bet amount will be removed
Stand: Either after receiving the first two cards, or after asking for more, the blackjack player has the option to stand and wait for the end of the round
Double down: This option allows you to double the original bet amount in exchange for receiving a single card. The player’s turn is then closed and he/she waits for the dealer to close.
Dealer’s turn: When the players’ round is over, the dealer wins if there are no active players left. If there are bets available, the dealer must see his cards and, if he has 16 or less, he is obliged to draw another card. If he has 17 or more, he is obliged to stand
Source: pexels
Prize distribution
At the end of the dealer’s hand, the prizes are distributed. Each hand higher than the dealer’s is paid 1 to 1, that is to say that the player receives the same amount he bet. If it is Blackjack, the payout is 3 to 2. If Blackjack is obtained after doubling the hand, the payout is 1 to 1.
In those cases in which there is an insured player, if the dealer finally has Blackjack, it will pay 2 to 1 to the insured players. After the payout, the hand is concluded and a new round of betting is opened.
You are now ready to go play blackjack with anyone! Either way, if you like to gamble, we remind you to always do it responsibly.
thanks for making it this far! see you next time and good luck!