Although blackjack is a game of chance, it is possible to reduce the risk of loss by mastering the essential rules of the game.

Indeed, understanding the basic principles and adopting a well-thought-out strategy allows you to optimize their chances of winning against the dealer.

From knowing card values to making informed decisions about whether to shoot, stay or double, every choice counts.

This guide will help you improve your blackjack skills and develop effective tactics to maximize your winnings while minimizing your losses.

How to play blackjack online

Also known as “21”, blackjack is one of the world’s most popular card games. Its ultimate aim is to obtain a higher point total than the dealer, but never to exceed 21.

Whether you play at a traditional casino or an online one, the principle of play remains the same.

Card distribution

Generally speaking, blackjack is played with 52 cards of different, well-defined values. Cards numbered from 1 to 10 have the value they indicate. The face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) are all worth 10 points.

Aces are considered to be separate cards. As such, they are worth 1 or 11 points, depending on the value of the player’s hand.

Before the game begins, the dealer shuffles all the cards in the deck. The deal then starts with the player to his left, going clockwise.

In a game of blackjack, the starting hand always consists of 2 cards, including :

• One card face up to the player and one card face up only to the dealer.
• A second face-up card for each hand and a second face-down card for the casino.

If the player bets on side-bets, then the color of the card plays a major role.

Blackjack betting

Before dealing the cards, the dealer always asks the players to place a bet on the table.

This is a basic bet in the form of chips.

You can buy them on the dedicated interface of the platform of your choice.

Minimum and maximum bets vary from table to table. However, they are always displayed on the gaming table.

Once all players have placed their bets, the casino gives them a short period of time to change the location of their bet. As soon as the croupier announces “Rien ne va plus”, the game begins.

• If you exceed 21 points, your bet is lost.
• If you tie with the dealer, you get your bet back.
• If you beat the dealer, you win the game.

What is “Blackjack”?

On receiving their cards, a player is likely to get a “Blackjack”. Blackjack means getting 21 points from two cards : an Ace + a face or an Ace + a 10.

In this case, his initial bet is automatically multiplied by 2.5. In other words, he wins at a ratio of 3:2 or 2:1, depending on the casino.

Note: If the dealer also has a total of 21 points, there is a tie. The player then recovers and the game ends.

If the cards in the player’s hand are closer to 21 than those in the dealer’s, he wins the game. However, if he sees that the dealer has a better chance of getting 21, he can choose to stop the game.

The players’ turn

In turn, each player plays his or her hand, starting with the player on the left (the one closest to the shoe). This gives the player on the left the opportunity to make a decision to obtain a better combination of cards, and thus beat the dealer.

To do this, he can ask for as many cards as he likes to reach 21 points.

If the 21 points are exceeded, the player is out of the race: he’s “burnt out”.

However, you can continue the game by saying “I’m staying” and the dealer passes to the next player.

Note that the player can also double or split his cards depending on the cards in the dealer’s hands.

The Blackjack lexicon you need to know

Before taking the plunge into blackjack, it’s essential to master the game’s glossary to quickly familiarize yourself with the rules.

I’ve selected the terms that come up all the time in each part, so you won’t feel lost when you start out.

The hit

A hit is the action of requesting an additional card. This option enables the applicant to improve the value of his hand, to get as close as possible to 21 points.

Le Stay

If the player is satisfied with the value of his cards, he may refuse to draw another. However, he must show the final value of his hand and will therefore end his turn.

Insurance

In the event that the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the participant has the option of placing a secondary bet. To do so, he must double his initial bet.

In practice, insurance works as follows:

• If you take out insurance, you must place 50% of your initial bet on the table.
• If the dealer has blackjack, your hand is refunded. If the dealer doesn’t have 2-card Blackjack, you lose your insurance.

As you can see, insurance allows you to “cover” your hand if the dealer has 21 in TWO CARDS.

The split

This term is used to designatethe action of separating two cards of the same value and playing them individually. To be taken into account, the bet must be placed before the split.

The double down

By opting for the “Double down” option , the player will receive a new card enabling him to improve his hand. More concretely, the option allows you to double your initial bet.

Side bets

Side bets are defined as “secondary bets” or “side wagers”. Deposited before the blackjack game, they allow you to cash in on additional (and potentially larger) winnings under specific conditions.

For example, in the case of a Perfect Paris side bet, the player’s first two cards must form a pair.

The best blackjack strategies

Blackjack is a game of chance, but skill is essential to increase your chances of winning. That’s why I advise you to adopt the right strategies.

The basic strategy

Basic Strategy is the ultimate guide to blackjack, and can be used at any table.

This reduces the casino’s advantage to the player’s benefit. In fact, this strategic approach leads the player to make the right decisions based on the value of his hand:

• Draw a card when the point total is less than or equal to 16 and/or if the dealer’s cards are 7/8/9/10 or Ace.
• Double the bet if you have a total of 10 or 11 and/or if the dealer’s card is between 2 and 8.
• Stop if the value of your hand is 18.
• Split your pair of 8s, regardless of the cards in front of you.

This strategy is recommended for those who want to optimize their chances of winning over the long term.

The blackjack table

The combinations of blackjack rules are very varied, and each variant has its own blackjack table.

Even if the tables differ from one casino to another, the basic principle remains the same.

In fact, they all aim to increase the game’s redistribution rate in order to maximize your winnings.

Generally, the blackjack table has two columns:

• The left-hand column shows the total value of the cards in each player’s hand.
• The one on the right indicates the strategy to be adopted according to the card held by the dealer.

Card counting

Blackjack has many different card-counting methods. These range from the most basic to the most complex. Also, each method places a different value on 10s and Aces.

For the Hi Lo method, aces and 10-point cards are worth -1; cards 7, 8, 9 are neutral cards (their value is 0) and cards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are worth +1.

When the result is high, the player gains an advantage over the house. On the other hand, if the total of the values is negative, the casino is in the lead.

For the KO method, card values can be broken down as follows:

• +1 for cards from 2 to 7.
• 0 for cards 8 and 9: 0.
• -1 for 10s and Aces.

It goes without saying that if the low cards (2 to 7) have already been dealt, the advantage is on the player’s side. Conversely, when the high cards (10 to Ace) are dealt, the game is in the dealer’s favor.