How to play blackjack at a casino 1

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Learn how to play blackjack in a casino before you even step through the doors with this handy guide. Put simply, this is a step-by-step guide to playing 21. We cover everything from the rules of blackjack to casino etiquette. As well as explaining the basics of playing blackjack in a land-based casino, we reveal the secrets of playing online.

From the different types of blackjack you can play to the bonuses you can claim, we’ll show you how to get more from your time online. So, if you want to look like an expert at the table, regardless of whether it’s in the physical world or online, scroll down for our comprehensive blackjack guide.

What are the basics of casino blackjack?

Blackjack Card Values

Blackjack at Sycuan is played with 2-8 decks. The numbered cards between 2 and 10 represent the face value of that card. A king, queen, or jack represents 10 points, while an ace card can either be valued at 1 or 11 points (the ace value is decided by the Blackjack player).

Blackjack Rules

Learning how to play blackjack in a casino? For starters, unlike other casino card games where you are playing against the other players at the table, blackjack is a card game between the house and the player. To win, the Blackjack player’s hand total must beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21.

  • The round starts as the dealer gives out 2 cards to each player face up so you can see the sum of the cards. The dealer lays one card face up and one card face down so neither you nor the dealer can see what the total of their cards are.
  • The dealer then goes around the table to ask each player whether they want to stick with the 2 cards they have or be dealt an additional card to get closer to 21.
  • Each player uses a hand signal to the dealer to indicate whether they would like another card or to stay
  • After each player has been dealt their cards and made their bets, the dealer then reveals their 2nd card to the table and decides whether they want to add an additional card to their hand.
  • If the dealer busts, each player wins. If the dealer has the higher hand, the players lose their bets and the dealer wins that round.

Playing Blackjack

If you are already familiar with the blackjack rules but aren’t comfortable playing in a brick-and-mortar casino, we will go through the entire process in more detail.

First of all, you have to be of legal age to enter a casino, which is 21 in most states. Some Indian casinos can allow customers who are at least 18 years old, but these establishments aren’t allowed to serve alcohol. You will have to provide an ID to get it.

How to play Blackjack for beginners?

Before you make your way to Las Vegas we recommend you pack some fancy clothes for a night out at one of our fantastic restaurants followed by some cocktails at a thumping nightclub. Also be sure to pack your sense of wonder before you take in a famous Las Vegas show, and take some time to learn how to win at blackjack in Vegas.

Next up on our ongoing “how to play” gaming video series: blackjack. It’s often the go-to game for beginner Las Vegas gamblers because basic blackjack strategies are easy to learn. In blackjack, players attempt to reach a score of 21—without exceeding it—before the dealer hits 17. You can win if you don’t bust and your total is higher than the dealer cards. Hitting exactly 21 can mean even bigger winnings.

One ace and one 10 card or jack card automatically mean 21, so remember that going into the game. Watch for more information and tips, plus when to hit, split, hold and fold.

Blackjack Side Bets

Perfect Pairs

Put a stake on the Perfect Pairs box. If your first two cards are a pair, you win. Pairs will either be a Mixed Pair (5/1, 1 red and 1 black), a Coloured Pair (10/1, both red or black but different suits), a Perfect Pair (30/1, both of the same suit).

TriLux

Put a stake on the TriLux box and if your first two cards and the Dealer’s first card make the following hands, you win:

Hand Pays
Mini Royal (A,K,Q, Suited) 100 to 1
Straight Flush 35 to 1
Three of a Kind 33 to 1
Straight 10 to 1
Flush 5 to 1

TriLux Super3

When playing TriLux, you may also put a wager on the TriLux Super3 box. If your first 2 cards and the Dealer’s first card make 3 of a Kind (all cards are the same rank) this bet will pay 90/1. If these cards make a Straight Flush (3 cards in sequence and of the same suit) you win 180/1 and if they make 3 of a Kind and all are the same suit you will win 270/1!

Blackjack Playing Options

In the game of Blackjack, the player has many options to choose from. To increase your chances of winning, or winning a bigger payout, it’s important to understand the various player options. Remember you as a player have all the options and the house has none.

Stand

When you Stand in Blackjack, your intention is to “stay” with the original two cards you have been dealt, and don’t need another card for the current hand in progress.

To Stand or Not to Stand

In Blackjack there are only 2 good reasons to stand on your hand.

  • When you believe that your total will beat the dealer’s total.
  • When you believe that the dealer will bust.

Always remember that a dealer must hit on 16 and stand on 17 or more.

Please Note: Once you’ve made the decision to “Stand”, you CANNOT go back and change your mind, after the dealer has already moved on.

Hit

“Hit” is your intention to “draw more cards”. You “Hit” when you feel your hand is not close enough to 21 and you need to draw additional cards.

Hit Me!

  • Hit when the dealer shows a 10 – If the dealer shows a 10 and your total is 16, you have to Hit. (Always assume the dealers face down is a 10)
  • Hit on a Soft 17 – A lot of players make this mistake because the general rule is to Stand on Hard 17. However on a Soft 17 (Ace and a 6 card), the Ace makes all the difference.

Don’t get carried away with Hitting.

Doubling Down

Doubling down is one of the more profitable options for players, when played correctly. You double down (double your bet) if you have two cards whose total value can be much improved by just one good hit.

After receiving your first two cards, or on the first two cards of any split pair, you have the option of increasing your wager by “doubling down”. To “double down” simply increase your wager up to the amount of your original bet and receive only one additional card.

For example:

When the dealer is showing a 5 or 6 and the player holds a hand totally 11, the player wants to double down. Assuming the additional card you receive is a 10, your hand total then becomes 21, thereby beating the dealer and being awarded four times the amount of your original bet.

When should you Double Down (Hard Hand)

  • Double down when you have a hand of 11 and the dealer shows anything from 2-10
  • Double down when you have a hand of 10 and the dealer shows anything from 2-9
  • Double down when you have a hand of 9 and the dealer shows anything less than 7

Splitting Pairs

If a player’s first two cards are the same value, (i.e. two of a kind) the player have the option of “splitting” them into two separate hands and playing them both for the round (completing the first hand before going on to the second). To “split”, you must match your original bet.

You may “split” a pair up to three times, making four separate hands (with the exception of Aces). You can take as many “hits” as you like on each hand. If you “split” a pair of Aces, you will receive only one card on each of the hands, but if one of the “hit” cards is another Ace, you may re-split (making up to four separate hands). Note: In split hands, an Ace and a ten equal 21, not a Blackjack.

To Split or Not to Split

  • Don’t Split two 10’s – Two 10’s is a very good hand. Remember your aim in Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible.
  •  Never Split two 4’s – The reason is simple, if you play the 4’s as one hand, it’s highly unlikely that you will Bust. The highest you can get is an Ace, giving you a pretty decent hand of 19.
  •  Never Split two 5’s – A hand with a pair of 5’s gives the value of 10. This is a good hand to get you in the high value range of 18-21 with a Hit.
  •  Always Split two Aces – If you don’t split your aces, one is given a value of one and the other a value of 11. Playing 2 Aces as one hand starts you off with a value of 12, with the only option of being dealt a 9 to make 21. Now, if you split the Aces you will have 4 ways to get a 21 in either hand (by being dealt a 10, Jack, Queen or King)
  •  Always Split two 8’s – Statistically the worst hand in Blackjack is a value of 16 because anything above a five will bust you. Splitting two 8’s gives you a much better chance of winning with at least one hand rather than standing with a 16 or risking a Bust by taking another Hit.

There is more to “SPLIT PAIRS”. Check out the Blackjack Basic Strategy for Splitting Pairs for other PAIRS scenarios.

Payouts

Ok so you’re done playing your hand and the dealer is done playing their hand according to the restrictions above. One of 2 things will happen.

  • The dealer will bust, and they will pay even money (1 times the wager) to each hand that is still in play on the table. or…
  • The dealer will make a hand (17 through 21). If your hand is still in play, it’s a simple battle of who has the higher hand. If the dealer has the higher hand, they sweep your bet. If you have the higher hand, the dealer pays you one time your wager. If you and the dealer have the same hand-total, it’s considered a “push” and you keep your money but are not paid on your wager.

Now the round is over! That’s all there is to it. The cards get swept up and you start another round.

Conclusion

Each online casino has its strengths and weaknesses with regards to blackjack, so it’s a good idea to spread your interests. In other words, we recommend joining multiple online casinos so you can get access to the great number of games and bonuses.