Have you ever heard of Blackjack? Are you looking to learn how to play Blackjack to win quickly? These are common questions among those new to online card games. At PHMAYA, a reputable online casino sharing online card game experiences, we will provide you with details on how to play blackjack and how to bet in this article.
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is an ancient card game with unclear origins. According to some reliable sources, this game appeared in France or Spain as early as the 17th century or even earlier. However, it wasn’t until around 1960 that Blackjack was officially recognized in the U.S. with the gameplay we know today. In the Philippines, Blackjack is also known as “blackjack” due to its similar rules. If you already know how to play blackjack, you’ll quickly grasp the rules of Blackjack since the differences between the two games are minimal.
Blackjack is a game played on online card game websites where players compete against the dealer. The game typically uses multiple decks of cards (usually eight decks of 52 cards each, excluding jokers).
Each Blackjack game begins when both the player and the dealer receive two or more cards. Once there, they calculate their total points. If the total is closer to 21 points, then the side wins. Because of its simple rules and ease of winning, blackjack has become one of the most famous card games at casinos around the world.
Detailed Instructions for Playing Blackjack for Beginners
Full Summary of Rules and Online Blackjack Guide
- Placing Bets: Before the game starts, participants need to place a bet, known as a “Bet-Fee.” Typically, you have 15 seconds to do this.
- Dealing Cards: The dealer (person dealing the cards) will start by dealing one face-up card to the dealer and one face-up card to the player. After the player completes their turn, the dealer will finish dealing their cards. The hands are then compared, and the side with the total closer to 21 wins.
- Direct Competition: In Blackjack, players compete directly against the dealer, not other players.
- Bust Rule: If a side’s total points are 21 or higher, it’s called a “bust,” and that side immediately loses.
- Highest Score: The highest score in Blackjack is 21, which can be achieved in two ways:
- The first way is with the first two cards (called a “Blackjack” or “BJ”), which includes an Ace and any 10-point card (10, J, Q, or K).
- The second way is by summing cards to reach 21 points.
- Tie Rule: If both the player and the dealer have the same total points, it’s a tie, and the bet is returned.
- Dealer Stand Rule: The dealer will quit drawing cards (stand) if they reach a total of 16 points or over.
- Player Rules: There is no problematic rule for the player, but if they are beyond 21 points, they lose.
Card Point Values in Blackjack
- If the total value of the cards along with an Ace is greater than 11, the Ace counts as 1 point.
- If the total value along with an Ace is 11 or less, the Ace counts as 11 points.
- Two Aces count as 2 points.
- Cards from two to ten are worth their face value, while J, Q, and K are worth 10 points.
Common Options in Blackjack
- HIT (+): Choose this option to draw another card.
- STAND (x): Choose this option to stop drawing cards.
When dealt two initial Aces or eights, players have two options: SPLIT (split the hand) or FOLD (stop playing). If they choose SPLIT, their bet is doubled, and they can draw only one more card. If they decide FOLD, the game ends, and the bet is returned.
Betting and Insurance
- If your initial cards total 11 points, you have the option to double your bet, as there’s a high chance of drawing a 10-point card, forming a Blackjack.
- If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, you can place an insurance bet to minimize potential losses if the dealer has a Blackjack. The insurance bet is half the original bet and is placed separately.
- The dealer only checks their second card once the player finishes drawing unless an insurance bet is placed. If the dealer has a Blackjack, the player loses the main bet but wins the insurance bet, breaking even for the round.
Payout Ratios
- A Blackjack payout is typically 1.5 times the bet (e.g., a $1 bet wins $1.5).
- Average wins pay 1:1.
- Insurance bets pay 2:1 if the dealer has a Blackjack.