Blackjack is one of the most iconic casino games in the world, and this classic table game has been played in card rooms around the globe for centuries. In our blackjack series, you will learn how to play blackjack, as well as some of our best tips. In part one, we will look at the basic rules and variations of blackjack.
The basic rules of blackjack
Even if you’ve never played a hand of blackjack before, you may know the concept and some of the basic rules. The simple goal of the game is to get as close to 21 without going over, also known as “busting”. At the same time, you are competing against the dealer who is also trying to get closer to 21. In most blackjack variations, the dealer has to take cards until they reach 17.
At the beginning of each round, the player is dealt two cards face up. Cards 2-10 are worth the value of the number on the card, while Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth 10 points. Aces are worth both 1 and 11 points, depending on the situation. Once all cards have been dealt and it’s your turn to act, you have two basic options: to hit or to stand. If you hit, the dealer will add another card to your hand, increasing your hand value. If you are happy with your hand, you can stand to end your turn.
In addition to hitting and standing, you can “split” and “double” in specific situations. The split option is available when you have two of the same cards in your hand. Splitting a pair of 8’s, for example, splits your hand into two separate hands worth 8 points each, and both hands are played individually. The only exception is when you split two Aces – this will add only one card to each hand. The double option doubles your initial bet and adds only one card to your hand. This option is good to use when you have a 10 or 11 against the dealer’s 5 or 6, for example.
A “blackjack” is when you are dealt a natural 21 with your first two cards. This only happens when you are dealt an Ace together with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King. The secret to winning in blackjack is knowing exactly when to hit, stand, split, and double. In the second part of our blackjack series, we will look closer at the basic strategies of the game.
Popular blackjack variations at Boom Casino
At Boom Casino, you can enjoy a wide variety of blackjack games. Click on the “blackjack” tab in our games lobby to see a list of all our games. An excellent place to start is NetEnt’s Blackjack which is a high-quality blackjack game that allows you to play up to three hands simultaneously. If you prefer live casino, we’ve got plenty of live blackjack tables to choose from, including unique variations such as Free Bet Blackjack and Infinite Blackjack.
Stay tuned for part two of our blackjack for beginners guide!