Welcome to the article that will teach you how to play this famous game at a casino, online or live!
Whether you’re a total newbie or you’ve played a few hands and want to go a little deeper into how to play blackjack online, we’ve got a ton of tips to help you turn a profit at this classic crypto casino game. Below we’ll cover topics like how to manage tricky hands, when to double down and split, and what each dealer upcard indicates.
When played correctly, it has one of the lowest house edges of any casino game (as low as .5%)! Blackjack how to play guides like these are essential for getting you to optimal play and decision making so that you can minimize the house advantage.
But first, a little trip down memory lane…
A brief history – from 21 to what it’s called now!
Even though you wouldn’t believe us, this game wasn’t invented in Vegas.
In fact, it’s been around for quite some time. In France, nobles played a game called “Chemin de Fer” (in English: railway), which gave rise to Vignt-et-un, or “21.” These games made their way across the Atlantic in the 1700s, where they took root in French settlements in New Orleans. From there, they spread to the Wild West.
American players there called it “blackjack,” a reference to a mineral that indicated gold or silver deposits to prospectors.
Thus, live players can play a game that’s been around for hundreds of years, and can now enjoy it in a digital form anytime, anywhere! And with tons of variations (like European Blackjack, Super 7 Blackjack, and 21 Burn Blackjack), you’ll never get bored of this ever-popular casino classic.
Basic Strategy for Beginners
The primary objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding a total of 21. If your hand totals higher than that, it’s a “bust.”
Each card has a value. Numbered cards (like 2, 5, and 7) are worth their stated value, while face cards (like jacks, queens, and kings) are valued at 10 points each. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on which value benefits the hand more.
Hitting 21 exactly with your first two cards is called a “natural blackjack,” and usually gets a little cheer from your fellow players and spectators. When the dealer gets it, you’ll hear a groan from everyone.
Gameplay and Mechanics
How is this famous game played, you’re wondering?
- Placing Bets: Before the cards are dealt, players place their bets, which can be small or large, depending on which Bitcoin blackjack online games bettors are playing.
- Dealing Cards: After bets are in, each player, including the dealer, receives two cards. Players’ cards are typically dealt face-up, while the dealer has one card face-up and one face-down.
- Hit or Stand? Players have two main options: they can ask for “hits” and request additional cards, or they can “stand” and keep their hand as is. There are also other options at certain tables like:
Now, some extra mechanics:
- Doubling down – doubling the initial bet and receiving one more card
- Splitting – dividing a pair of cards of the same rank into two separate hands
- Surrendering – forfeiting half the bet.
Understanding these simple rules is fundamental to your success as a player, so don’t fall asleep just yet! We’ll get into these more complex options later on in the article.
- Dealer’s Turn: After players have completed their actions, the dealer reveals their face-down card and follows a predetermined strategy. Usually, the dealer will take hits until reaching a total of 17 or higher.
- Win or Lose? Players win if their hand beats the dealer’s (without exceeding 21). If a player’s hand exceeds 21, they bust and lose their bet. If the two scores are equal, it’s a “push” and the bet is returned to the player.
Getting these fundamental concepts down is crucial for beginners diving into the world of blackjack games.
Rules
Casino rules follow the steps above, with a few additions and exceptions. Some of the variations to the rules of blackjack will be covered below. These topics include splitting, insurance and payout adjustments. Most casino players will keep an eye on how each of these rules changes from game to game. This is an important way that casinos influence the house edge, so don’t get caught sleeping. Review the rules carefully before you wager a single dollar on a particular blackjack game online.
Live games offer options aside from hitting and standing. Let’s start with an explanation of splitting, an action available when a player has two cards of the same rank.
Insurance Rules
In blackjack, players have the option to take insurance when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. This is available due to the fear that the dealer is holding 21, and the player might lose. To take insurance, players can usually bet up to half of their original wager. If the dealer does have a natural blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1, effectively covering the player’s losses on the original bet.
- Pros: In online casino Bitcoin games, insurance protects you from a loss in the event the dealer’s luck is just too strong.
- Cons: Insurance bets typically have a high house edge, making them statistically unfavorable in the long run. Ironically, over-reliance on insurance bets can lead to increased losses over time, undermining potential winnings.
Knowing the basic insurance rules will help you avoid bad bets in online casino Bitcoin games. While insurance can offer temporary relief from potential losses, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully before opting for this additional wager too often.
Blackjack Rules Chart
Sometimes a blackjack rules chart can help you quickly get answers to your questions about the fundamentals of the game. These charts may also provide strategy guidance on when to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender based on the player’s hand total and the dealer’s face-up card.
There’s nothing wrong with using charts! In fact, they’re commonly used as a quick reference during gameplay in crypto blackjack.
Head here to find more blackjack rules!
Blackjack Payouts
Payouts play a significant role in determining the rewards for winning hands. Understanding blackjack payouts is essential for players, especially in the context of crypto casinos offering Bitcoin games.
The payouts typically follow a standard scheme, with most games paying out at odds of 3:2 for a natural blackjack. This means that if a player wins with a natural blackjack (an Ace and a 10-value card), they receive a payout of 1.5 times their original bet. For example, if a player bets $10 and gets a natural, they would receive $15 in winnings, plus their original $10 bet back.
Early Payout: Some variants may offer the option of early payout. Early payout allows players to collect a portion of their potential winnings before the hand is completed, based on the likelihood of their hand winning against the dealer’s hand. While early payout can provide a sense of security, it may also result in lower overall payouts compared to waiting until the end of the hand.
Keeping an eye on blackjack payouts is crucial for players looking to maximize their winnings. In particular, you’ll want to avoid games that only offer 6:5 payouts on your blackjacks. This increases the house edge by a whopping 1.359%, which is enough to erase all the gains you make with optimal play! By familiarizing themselves with payout odds and potential strategies like early payout, players can enhance their overall blackjack experience and enjoy greater success at the tables.
Payout Charts
A payout chart gives you a quick reference tool you can use when making decisions during your blackjack games. Due to game rule variations, you may want to seek a specific 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 blackjack payout chart, depending on the returns given by the particular game you choose. Remember: the best Bitcoin blackjack sites offer the more favorable 3:2 payouts.
Here are mBit’s blackjack payout charts:
Blackjack Odds and House Edge
Understanding blackjack odds and the house edge is crucial for players looking to maximize their chances of winning and make informed decisions during gameplay, particularly in the context of bitcoin casinos. Players have relatively favorable odds compared to many other casino games, but the house edge still exists.
The odds of winning depends on various factors, including the player’s strategy, the number of decks in play, and specific rules variations. On average, a skilled player using optimal strategy can expect to win roughly 48-49% of their hands – just under half.
While the house edge offers can sit as high as 2%, it can typically be brought down to the range of 0.5% to 1% with optimal play. This means that, over the long term, the casino will retain around 0.5% to 1% of all wagers placed by the strongest players, due to the blackjack house edge.
Bitcoin casinos offers lots of modern game features, but no matter what new things they come up with, the house edge will always be something that good players can have a strong influence on.
Rummy and “21 Blackjack”
Rummy is a variation of blackjack that incorporates elements of the popular card game rummy. In this variant, players aim to create specific card combinations, similar to those in rummy, alongside the traditional objective of achieving a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. The exact rules and scoring system for rummy blackjack can vary between different casinos and game variations.
mBit Casino also offers a blackjack variation known as “21 Blackjack.” Find out more about how to play 21 blackjack!
Continue the Learning Journey!
Sharpening your tactics for beating Bitcoin blackjack casinos at their own game is a lifelong journey. Head to the blackjack section if you’re still down to read more about blackjack – you never know what you might learn!