Basic Blackjack Rules – Dealer, Betting and Cards Rules

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Updated on: May 17th, 2022

Blackjack rules are pretty much similar whether you are playing online blackjack or land-based casino blackjack table. The game of online blackjack is played with either one or more decks of cards. The number of decks you use depends on which version of the game you play.

Casino blackjack rules can be split into various categories including blackjack dealer rules and betting rules. Betting rules cover simple blackjack rules on how to split, how many times you can split. Additionally, there are rules on how which include rules on how and when to double down amongst others.

The one most important basic blackjack rules are to get the best hand valued at 21 or as close as possible, without exceeding 21. That is the premise on which the whole casino card game is built.

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Blackjack Dealer Rules

  • The dealer can only have one card exposed
  • If the dealer’s hand is a soft hand 17 or more, he is obligated to stand by the house rules.
  • In the event that his hand totals 16 or less he then has two hits if he busts then the player wins.
  • If the player and the dealer have an equal hand the situation is referred to as a push and in a push the dealer will have to hit. The dealer is only required to hit if the hand is not a blackjack period indicates that both player and dealer had a blackjack it’s a tie and the bet is returned to the player.

Blackjack 21 Rules – How do You Play Blackjack?

The standard rule with online blackjack or land-based casino blackjack is to bet before the dealer starts to draw cards . After you bet the dealer hands you your cards. Thereafter, you have six game play options available to you they are,

  • Stand – this means to keep the hand that you have been dealt without adding any more cards to it.
  • Hit- this means to request an additional card.
  • Split- this means literally to split or separate the hand of cards that you have into two separate hands and get additional cards for each hand.
  • After you have made any of the above plays the dealer reveals their hidden card. Depending on what the outcome is players are paid out according to what bet they placed at the start of the game.
  • The objective is to have a hand that is valued at 21 or as close as possible. A blackjack is an automatic win.

Blackjack Rules Split

When you split you end up with 4 cards or two pairs. That is because when you split two cards you follow with a hit because blackjack hands have to at least have two cards.

  • Each of the pairs is considered a separate hand with a unique independent bet.
  • You can only split aces once in most online blackjack gambling sites.
  • Please note that an ace that has been split with a 10-value card is not considered a blackjack.

Blackjack Double Down Rules

Doubling down means doubling the original bet that you had and getting an additional card. However, when you double down- you only get one additional card and no splits or hits thereafter. Doubling down is advisable when a player gets a pair of aces or high number cards that have the the potential to get you close to a blackjack. Simply put make sure you have your basic strategy clear when you double down because it blocks you from making any other plays

Blackjack Betting Rules

In the blackjack card game, you have three standard bets you can play. You can either bet on the dealer to win, the player to beat the dealer or for a tie.

Since bets are placed before cards are dealt some casinos offer a surrender option. This option allows you to fold and get half your initial bet back. Players also have the option to make an insurance side bet.

  • Surrender- this means you feel that your hand is weak and rather decide to fold and lose half your bets instead of using the whole bit amount when you fold. There’s surrender option is not available on all blackjack variants only on selected variants.
  • Insurance Bet- this is a side bet to insure against the possibility of the dealer having a blackjack this bet pays even money. Side bets blackjack rules are that the insurance runs alongside the main wages as an independent bet.

Basic Blackjack Rules of Thumb

Players must remember the first rule of blackjack is to place a bit before they get their cards. There after the rules for playing blackjack for players are linked to how they bet.  Therefore, it is safe to say that once a player understands how the blackjack betting rules work then they will understand what the basic guideline for players is.

Casino blackjack players never play against other players it is always against the house other dealer. Therefore, it is important for a player to play close attention to the dealers exposed card. The three main rules for blackjack when it comes to players are as follows

  • Place your bets first before your cards are dealt.
  • Players allowed to splits cards multiple times if it is not an ace however when it is an eighth-place can only split once.
  • After doubling down players can another card.

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