Simply explained: The Blackjack rules and card values

Blackjack is the most popular card game in online casinos. The origins are unknown to us. However, records from Spain and France show that people have been enjoying card games since the 17th century at the latest, in which the goal was to score 21 points. Our current blackjack rules go back directly to these games.

The blackjack rules are simple and easy to understand for everyone. Although it is a game of chance, many casino visitors around the world find it to be enormously fair. They appreciate that they can influence the course of the game by making smart decisions in their favor. The more in-depth study also reveals a variety of strategic options and a fascinating depth of play.

Our time small blackjack guide and rulebook aimed primarily at beginners. We first explain the game principle, the structure of the game table and the blackjack card values. After that, let's look at the expanded rules of the game. Finally, we present you the most important side bets and some interesting variations of the original game.

Blackjack: game principle and basic rules

The simple game principle attracts players in droves to the blackjack tables in the traditional casinos and in the best online casinos . Beginners quickly find their way into the game and can so quickly participate in the pleasure that experienced players have been feeling for a long time. Here you will find everything you need to start!

The Blackjack Table

The game table has the shape of a semicircle. It can accommodate up to six players sitting opposite the dealer or dealer. Each participant of the game has his own small area where he keeps his chips. For each of the possible actions and Side bets is there Betting fields on which the bets are placed can. In addition, the most important rules and Disbursement printed in short form on the blackjack table.

Very often there is a special Insurance The betting area, which is also located between the dealer and the players. Furthermore, it is customary to give the game table the Limitations of the dealer can be inferred. The playing cards are located in the so-called card shoe, which only the dealer has access to.

The card values in blackjack

The blackjack card values are explained quickly: the cards 1-10 count according to their value, jack, queen and king each with 10. The aces can enter the scoring with 1 or 11. They are always counted to your advantage throughout the game.

The process and goal of the game

In blackjack, everyone plays against the dealer. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer . To do this, you have to come closer to 21 points with two or more playing cards than he or she will hit this value exactly in the best case. If your hand has a higher value than 21 at the end, you have lost. In blackjack jargon, you have then “overbought" yourself. By the way: These and other important blackjack terms and translations you can find it here . At the blackjack table, each seat stands for a hand that is played. It is not uncommon for experienced players to play several hands at the same table at the same time.

The dealer deals two cards face up to the players in a clockwise direction. He also gives himself two cards, but at first he only reveals one of them. The face-down card is called a hole card. Then you have to decide whether you want to stand (stand) or have another card given to you (hit). In the first case, you run the risk that the dealer will get closer to the 21 in the further course of the game, while in the second case, depending on the initial situation, you are already taking the risk of overbought (bust). As long as the value of your hand is below 21, you can request more cards at any time.

After all the players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals his second card. Depending on the blackjack variant, he is forced to draw another card or stop at certain values of his own hand. The hands of the players are then compared with those of the dealer. If you are closer to 21 than the dealer, you have won and will be paid out 1:1. With a bet of 10CA$, your profit is then 10CA$. If you have overbought yourself or the dealer has the better hand, you are out of your bet. In the event of a draw (push; tie), you will receive your bet back.

If you get 21 points with your first two cards right away, you have a blackjack and you win immediately! You can then expect a higher payout, which is usually in a ratio of 3: 2. With a bet of 10CA$, this corresponds to a profit of 15CA$.

Depending on the course of the game, a game round lasts between one and ten minutes at the Top Online Blackjack Providers with Real Money .

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Consider Blackjack probabilities and make the right game decisions

The correct game decision depends directly on the respective blackjack probabilities that your hand has. Here it is worth taking a look at our small strategy table! But always keep an eye on the dealer's hand – after all, it is important to beat him.

Restrictions for the dealer

As with all other table games, the casino also has a house edge in blackjack. This consists in the fact that the bank always wins as soon as someone buys over. This is true even if the dealer also gets more than 21 points.

The dealer, unlike you, is not free in his decisions. Usually it is stipulated in the rules that with a card value of 16 or lower, he must draw another card. At the same time, it is often provided that he is no longer allowed to take another card from 17. While in the first case he runs the risk of overbought, in the second case there is a gap into which the other players at the table can advance with a little luck.

In this respect, the dealer in blackjack is not only easily predictable for his opponents, but also easily beatable. At the same time, the dealer's restrictions open up a variety of strategic options for players. This is why blackjack owes its reputation as a very fair card game.

Blackjack rules: the main options in the game

In the online casinos there is blackjack in many different variations, each of which has one or more special features. It is therefore important that you familiarize yourself with the rules at the table in advance. In the following we will explain to you the most important options that Basic Blackjack Rules go beyond.

Insurance (Insurance)

If the dealer's face-up card is an ace, there is a risk that he has a blackjack in his hand and this round cannot be won for you. To minimize the risk of loss, you can sit at many tables insure against a dealer's blackjack . For this you have to make an extra bet, which you place on the insurance field. If the dealer has actually caught the best hand, your insurance will be paid out 2:1. This way you can get out of this round without any losses. The bill for this looks like this: You have bet $ 10CA and invest another $ 10CA in the insurance. In dealer blackjack, the 10CA$ of the regular bet goes to the bank. At the same time, however, your insurance will pay you $ 20CA. If the dealer does not immediately hit the winning card combination with his hole card, you are rid of the insurance premium, but you still have the chance to win the round regularly.

Hand split (Split)

If you have a pair (e.g. Queen Heart and Queen diamonds) after giving the card, you can split your hand. To do this, you must first make a new bet equal to your first bet . Then you each get a new card and then continue playing with your two new hands.

In many casinos, you can only split your hand if the first two cards have a value of 9, 10 or 11.

Double Down (Double Down)

Here you decide to double your bet and in return draw only one more card (Double Down). Of course, this is especially worthwhile if you have an 11 on hand. If you are dealt a 10-value card, you have done everything right. In return, of course, you also bear the full risk of not being able to continue to act in the event of an unfavorable next card (e.g. a 2).

Betting on Another player's hand (Bet Behind)

When all the seats at the table are occupied , you can bet on the hand of another participant in the land-based casinos and online live casinos in blackjack. So you do not actively participate in the game, but still have the chance to win. But it should also be clear to you that when you bet behind, you are at the mercy of the luck and skill of the player you have bet on.

Reduce losses due to premature abandonment (surrender)

If the dealer's face-up card is an ace or has a count of 10, you can give up prematurely without drawing another card. In return, you will usually receive half of your original bet refunded.

Advanced Blackjack Game Rules

In addition to the widespread options presented above, there are other betting options and variations in blackjack. We will introduce some of them to you below.

Blackjack Side Bets

In blackjack, side bets (English: Side bets) are widely used, which are scored regardless of the course of the main game. So you can win your side bet and lose the main game at the same time and vice versa. The additional bets to be made are usually quite low. Respect: The odds of winning the side bets are consistently lower as with the standard bets. In the following, we will briefly introduce you to the most popular blackjack side bets. At the end of this section, a PDF document is available for you to download, in which we go into more detail about the individual side bets and their probabilities of winning.

Popular Blackjack Variants

In a modern online casino, many different blackjack variants with different characteristics and advantages await you. For many, the numerous variations make up the special charm of blackjack. In the following section we take a look at the most popular versions for you.

A Brief History of Blackjack

The origins of blackjack, which was originally Twenty-one it was known to date back to 1601. Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the world famous Don Quixote , described in his short story Rinconete y Cortadillo a card game where the goal is to reach 21 points. Similar descriptions can be found in other Spanish and French sources from the same period.

In the early days of Twenty-one in the USA, the casinos of that time offered increased payouts for players with a jack and an ace of spades on hand for the first time. From the Card combination Black Ace (Black Ace) & a Jack (Jack) at the same time, the new name of the game, under which it began its worldwide triumphal march, is explained. Today, there are no more such lavish payouts for it as the former 10: 1. – The basic rule that an ace in combination with a 10-value card is the winning combination, on the other hand, persists to this day.

The continuing popularity of the card game has been reflected in various books and films over time. These, in turn, regularly pick up facts and stories about the blackjack game.

Summary of our little Blackjack guide

You now know about the structure of the blackjack tables in the online casinos, the blackjack rules and card values are familiar to you. In addition, we have translated the most important English-language terms for you. How to play blackjack as a beginner, you have experienced as well as you have got to know some moves that are more suitable for experienced players. The knowledge of possible side bets and the most important variants and modifications round off our small guide.

We wish you a lot of fun diving into this fascinating game and of course good success if you play blackjack for the first time in an online casino or via The Blackjack App play!

Frequently Asked Questions

We really hope that we have already been able to answer some of the most important questions about the blackjack rules. Here we go back to your frequently asked questions in a very short and concise manner. All Blackjack definitions and basic terms you will find it if you follow the link.

Blackjack Instructions for download