Welcome to the article that will teach you how to play blackjack 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, blackjack 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…
History of Blackjack
No, blackjack 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, Bitcoin blackjack 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.
How to Play Blackjack for Beginners (Basic Strategy)
The primary objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding a total of 21. If your 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.
Blackjack Hand Steps
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:
- 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 blackjack 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 Bitcoin blackjack games.
Blackjack Rules
Casino blackjack rules follow the steps above, with a few additions and exceptions. Most of the variations to the rules of blackjack will be covered below. These topics include splitting, insurance, doubling down, dealer strategy variations, and payout adjustments. Most casino Bitcoin 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.
Bitcoin blackjack 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.
Blackjack Split Rules
Splitting is an advanced strategy in blackjack that players can use when dealt two cards of the same rank. Here’s how it works:
When a player’s initial hand consists of two cards of equal value, they have the option to split the pair into two separate hands, each with its own bet. For example, if dealt two 8s, the player can split them into two separate hands, each starting with an 8, and play each hand independently.
- Pros of splitting: Splitting can potentially increase the player’s chances of winning by allowing them to play multiple hands simultaneously, especially in BTC casino or mobile live bitcoin blackjack games. This move is most valuable with cards that offer an advantageous start to a hand, like aces (that can make 21 easily for a blackjack) and 8s (which, when paired with a face card, make a dealer-beating 18).
- Cons of splitting: Splitting increases the amount of money at risk, since each hand requires a separate bet. Players must carefully consider the situation before deciding to split. If you’re splitting a lot, your session could go by more quickly and your bankroll could get depleted if the cards aren’t falling your way.
Understanding when to split and when not to is crucial for maximizing your chances of success in blackjack, whether you’re playing in a traditional casino or in BTC casino variants. It’s essential to grasp the nuances of the split rules blackjack offers, including blackjack split aces rules and blackjack rules split double, to make informed decisions during gameplay.
Here is a chart that shows which cards to split, and when:
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Blackjack 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 a blackjack, 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 blackjack 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 Double Down Rules
The basic idea of doubling down is that you use it when you only want one more card in your hand, and you think your prospects for winning are pretty solid. The way it works is this: you double your bet, and you are dealt exactly one more card. Then, you stand.
(Note: The option to double down is typically allowed on any two-card hand, although some online blackjack game variations may have specific restrictions.)
For example: Let’s say you’re dealt a 5 and a 6 for a total of 11. Since this is a strong hand for potentially hitting 21 with one more card, you should consider doubling down.
- Pros: Double down blackjack rules allow players to capitalize on advantageous situations and potentially increase their winnings, making it a valuable tool available at the best crypto blackjack online games.
- Cons: Double down rules in blackjack also carry increased risk. Players are required to double their initial bet, but only receive a single additional card. There’s no option to receive any more cards. It’s crucial for players to assess the strength of their hand and the likelihood of improving it with just one more card before deciding to double down.
Knowing the specific situations where double down blackjack rules make it profitable to double down is essential. Double down in the most favorable hands to maximize the potential of this strategic move that you’ll find available in the best crypto blackjack online games.
To learn more and see strategy reference charts, check out this blackjack article from mBit.
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 casino and bitcoin blackjack android apps.
Blackjack Dealer Rules
In blackjack, the dealer plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of each hand. Understanding the dealer’s rules is essential for players to strategize effectively and maximize their chances of winning in the best bitcoin blackjack online games. Dealer rules dictate the actions the dealer must take based on the value of their hand and the rules of the game.
A common dealer rule in blackjack is to stand on a hand total of 17 or higher and hit on a total of 16 or lower. For instance, if the dealer’s hand consists of a 10 and a 6 (totaling 16), they must hit according to the rules.
The biggest rule variation is whether a dealer hits on soft 17 (one containing an ace) or not. If the dealer stands even on a soft 17, it lowers the house edge by about .2%. Look for games that offer this rule!
Familiarizing oneself with blackjack dealer rules is crucial for players looking to profit at the best bitcoin blackjack online casinos.
Blackjack Payouts
In the game of blackjack, 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 blackjack games.
Blackjack 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 in a Bitcoin blackjack casino game bets $10 and gets a natural blackjack, they would receive $15 in winnings, plus their original $10 bet back.
Early Payout: Some blackjack 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.
Blackjack Payout Charts
A Bitcoin casino blackjack 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 blackjack payout chart 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:
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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 blackjack casinos. Blackjack offers players relatively favorable odds compared to many other casino games, but the house edge still exists.
The odds of winning blackjack depend 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 blackjack 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 blackjack 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.
mBitcasino also offers a blackjack variation known as “21 Blackjack.” You can read more about that here.
Continue the Learning Journey!
Sharpening your tactics for beating Bitcoin blackjack casinos at their own game is a lifelong journey. Head to the articles section if you’re still down to read more about blackjack – you never know what you might learn!
