Blackjack is most probably the world’s most popular casino game. It’s very easy to learn and that that is what makes it so fun to play.

BonusFinders will guide you through the more complex strategies that will improve your chances of winning.

How to Play Blackjack

The aim of blackjack is for you to beat the dealer by using the cards you will be dealt and get as close to 21 as possible, without busting (getting 22 or higher).

If your hand in the end is closer to 21 than it is for the dealer you have won! The best hand you can get is called Blackjack; this is when your first two cards total 21.

To be able to start you will need to know the value of the cards in the deck. It’s quite simple:

• Cards 2-10 have the value showing (face value)
• Jacks, Queens and Kings are counted as 10
• Aces count as either 1 or 11 (you can choose)

Now, all rounds begin with you placing your wager. After this it will simply put play out as follows:

1. The dealer will give you 2 cards face up
2. You will now decide if you want to take further cards to get closer to 21 or if you are happy with what you have. You can take as many cards as you like but if you go over 21 you will automatically lose
3. When you are happy with your cards the dealer will play out his cards and the one closest to 21 will win

This is a very simple way of showing you how to play blackjack but it’s basically everything you need to get started. If you want to learn more you should keep on reading.

Before you start playing blackjack for real money we suggest that you try out our Free European Blackjack where you can get some free blackjack practise.

You should also have a look at our basic Blackjack Strategy Chart which will show you what to do in certain situations.

Useful Blackjack Terms and Phrases

Deal

Click on Deal after you have placed your bets and you will start a new game.

Hit/Draw

Click on Hit/Draw to request more cards to be dealt from the dealer.

Stand

Click on Stand to inform the dealer that you do not want any further cards to be dealt.

Split

When you are dealt two cards of the same value (e.g. 3-3) you will get the option to Split them and use them to play two separate hands. If you want to Split you will be required to place another identical bet that was initially placed. A rule of thumb is to never split 10s (20 is normally a winning hand) or 5s (you have 10 which is a strong hand); you should always split Aces and 8s.

If you have decided to Split you will be dealt an additional card to each split card and you will again be asked if you want to Hit or Stand.

Usually when you split your Aces you will only be able to draw one card for each Ace split. Also, if you are dealt a ten in this case your hand will be considered as 21 and not blackjack.

Double

After your initial two cards have been dealt you might be asked if you want to double your bet. If you do you will be dealt just one more card and one more card only. You should only double when the conditions are mathematically favourable for you.

A mathematically favourable condition will be when your two cards total 9, 10, or 11, and your dealer’s face card is 5 or 6. This is due to the fact that the deal will most probably have to draw two cards increasing his chances to go bust.

At some Casinos you might only be able to double up if you have 9,10, or 11.

Insurance

There is a possibility to protect yourself when you think that the dealer might have Blackjack. This is called insurance and you will be asked for insurance the dealer’s card is an Ace.

The way it works is that players can buy insurance against a dealer having Blackjack at the price of half your initial bet. If it turns out that the dealer has Blackjack the insurance pay 2 to 1. If the dealer does not have Blackjack you will lose your insurance.

Play for Free & Blackjack Strategy Chart

Take some time and practise your Blackjack skills on our Free European Blackjack.

You should always use our Blackjack Chart and follow the strategies for playing Blackjack in the optimal way.

If you play Blackjack correctly it is one of the games where the Casino will have the lowest house edge against you. It varies between different casinos and blackjack versions but usually you the casino will end up with and edge around 0.4%, meaning that you will in the long run lose $0.40 for every $100 bets placed.