Blackjack
Blackjack is easily one of the most popular card games around the world.
This means being aware of the strategies themselves, but also of certain mechanics that the game features.
In other words, it all depends on what cards you received in the initial phases of the game.
There is one single card that makes the difference between the two hands, and that is the Ace.
If one of these cards is an ace, then your hand is considered soft.
To make this easier to understand, lets use an example.
With Ace in hand, your hand can be treated as either 9 or 19.
For example, if you have two 5 cards, the total can only be 10.
So, how would that work?
So, what do you do when you get a hard hand?
The best way to deal with the situation is to avoid stepping away from the basic strategy itself.
In other words, the basic strategy pretty much is your hard-hand strategy.
Well, in that case, your safest course of action is to stand and hope for the best.
Basically, your only options are to hit 14, 15, or 16 or to surrender.
However, there might be situations where surrendering is not an option.
As a result, you are better off hitting 14 and alike.
When should you double down?
Can You Play Free Blackjack?
Yes, all of the casinos that we recommend offer the option to play blackjack for free.
you could then practice playing until you are ready to play for real money.
What Are These Blackjack Terms: Hit, Stand, Split, Double?
The dealer must keep playing until they either beat the player or go bust (going over 21).
The player must then continue to play both hands with regular blackjack rules.
To learn when to double read our guide onWhen to Double Down in Blackjack.
What Are the Best Starting Hands?
This is an automatic win for the player.
Hard 20- This is any two 10 value cards (10, jack, queen, or king).
It is unlikely that the player will receive an ace next, and the player should always stand.
Splitting is also not recommended.
Soft 18- This is a combination of an ace and a 7 card.
This combination of cards offers the player different strategy options depending on what cards the dealer is dealt.
What Is Single-Deck Blackjack?
As the name implies this is blackjack that is played with only one deck of 52 cards.
What Is Multi-Hand Blackjack?
What Are the Differences Between American Blackjack & European Blackjack?
The key difference between American and European blackjack is the hole card.
In other words, European blackjack has no hole card.
What Is Atlantic City Blackjack?
The game is always played with 8 regular decks, this means anticipating the next card is more difficult.
The other major difference is players have the option to play a “late surrender”.
With a surrender the player loses half their bet.
In Atlantic City blackjack players can split twice, up to three hands.
Aces however, can only be split once.
The dealer must stand on all 17 hands, including soft 17.
Blackjack pays 3 to 2, and and insurance pays 2 to 1.
What Is Vegas Strip Blackjack?
As the name implies this is the most popular version of blackjack in Las Vegas.
4 to 8 standard decks of cards are used, and the dealer must stand on soft 17.
Similar to other types of American blackjack, the dealer receives two cards, one face-up.
Players have the option to play a “late surrender”.
What Is Double Exposure Blackjack?
In other words there is no hole card.
Another key difference is that the dealer has the option to hit or stand on soft 17.
House Edge:
0.67%
What Is Spanish 21?
This is a version of blackjack that is played with 6 to 8 Spanish decks.
The Spanish deck of cards has four suits and contains 40 or 48 cards, depending on the game.
The cards are numbered from 1 to 9.
Due to the lack of 10 card it is more difficult for a player to hit blackjack.
0.4%
What Is an Insurance Bet?
This is an optional side bet that is offered to a player if the dealers up-card is an ace.
If the dealer has a blackjack then the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet.
If both the player and the dealer hit blackjack, then the payout is 3 to 2.
An insurance bet is often called a “suckers bet” as the odds are in the houses favor.
5.8% to 7.5% - The house edge varies based on the previous card history.
What Is Blackjack Surrender?
In American blackjack players are given the option to surrender at any time.
This should only be done if the player believes they have an extremely bad hand.
If the player chooses this than the bank return half of the initial bet.
(For example, a $10 bet has $5 returned).
In some version of blackjack such as Atlantic City blackjack only a late surrender is enabled.
In this case, a player can only surrender after the dealer has checked his hand for blackjack.
To learn more visit our in-depth guide onWhen to Surrender in Blackjack.
Everything you oughta Know
When to Double Down in Blackjack Everything you oughta Know
