BLACKJACK
- Game Type: Rummy
- Age: 12+
- Players: 2+
- The pack: 52 card deck
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Blackjack is one of the most famous casino card games, played worldwide but particularly popular in America. Winning the game requires a strategic knack. Given this, is a preferred game by individuals with strong mathematical skills. Having said that people of all types engage in it for the thrill that each move promises.
The roots of the Blackjack casino game go way back in time, typically in 1760s era of France. Back then, Blackjack was known as Vingt-et-Un, the French word for twenty-one. Owing to its roots the game is also referred to as twenty-one.
Blackjack can be played in casinos, at home, or on websites and mobile applications. In all modes of play, the objective of the game is to beat the dealer by getting the count as close to 21 and not beyond. This depends on how the cards are dealt and the bets placed.
This blog explains how to play Blackjack in a detailed yet simplified manner:
How to set up a Blackjack game?
Setting up a Blackjack game is very simple. You need a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The number of standard decks used varies depending on where the game is played – whether in a casino or at home.
The casino version of the blackjack game is quite elaborate. In the casino version, the six-deck game is very famous. The game’s home version is simple yet competitive. It can be played with one or more standard decks of playing cards.
Two types of participants are involved in a Blackjack game – card players and dealer. The card players must be at least 18 years old. The dealer typically manages the game from start to finish and ensures implementation of Blackjack rules throughout.
In casinos, there is a fixed dealer for each table; which is known as the permanent bank. In the home version, any of the card player can become the dealer. This means the dealer can keep changing. Hence, they are regarded as the changing bank.
The dealer shuffles all the Blackjack playing cards together until all cards are mixed properly. The dealer then designates one of the card players to cut the deck. Here’s where a black plastic card is placed. This way, the last bunch say 60 to 70 cards are not used.
What is the scoring system of the Blackjack card game?
The following pointers decode the scoring system of the Blackjack card game:
- The Ace is the most powerful card in the Blackjack card game.
- It is considered powerful because the card player can determine the card’s value based on what is best for the game.
- They can designate Ace’s value as 1 or 11 points.
- The King, Queen, and Jack cards are worth 10 points.
- The number cards will have their pip value.
- For example, A 5 of Spades will have a value of 5 in the game.
How does betting work in the Blackjack game?
The below pointers illustrate how card players can place a bet in the Blackjack game:
- Betting takes place before a deal begins.
- Each player is required to place a bet in the game.
- A player can place a bet by placing a preferred number of Blackjack chips in the designated area in front of them.
- The dealer announces the minimum and maximum bet limits before betting begins.
- All card players are required to adhere to the betting limits when placing their bets.
How are cards dealt with in Blackjack?
In Blackjack, the dealer starts dealing with the cards once all card players have placed their bets. The following pointers elaborate on how cards are dealt with in the game:
- Typically, the cards are dealt in two rounds in the game.
- In the first round, each card player gets 1 face-up card. Additionally, the dealer receives 1 face-up card.
- In the second round, each player gets another 1 face-up card. Yet again the dealer receives 1 card but this time a face-down card.
- This means the card players receive 2 face-up cards, while the dealer receives 1 face-up and face-down card.
- Note: The cards are always dealt in a clockwise direction.
There is phenomenon in Blackjack card game rule book which is known as – Natural. It occurs when the first two card of the card player happens to be an Ace and card number 10. This gives a natural 21 count.
Following are three scenarios that can take place with a Natural.
- A card player has a Natural, the dealer does not:
The dealer pays the player 1.5 times their bet.
- A card player doesn’t have Naturals, the dealer does:
The dealer simply collects the bets from card players who do not have naturals. They do not receive any extra payout for this.
- Both a card player and the dealer have Naturals:
The player’s bet is standoff off, and they get their chips back.
When it comes to the dealer, two things can happen:
- Dealer’s Face-Up Card is 10 or Ace:
If the dealer’s face-up card is a 10-point card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) or an Ace, they check their face-down card to see if they have a natural (21 points).
- Dealer’s Face-Up Card is Not 10 or Ace:
If the dealer’s face-up card is not a 10-point card or Ace, they do not check their face-down card until it’s their turn to play.
Now that you have a better understanding of how the cards are dealt let's learn how to play Blackjack.
How is Black Jack played?
The following pointers explain how the Blackjack game typically unfolds:
- The players to the dealer’s left goes first.
- The card player can either opt for “stand” or “hit.”
- On the stand, the card player does not ask for an additional card.
- This means the player stays on the total they have. It could be 21 or under.
- In a hit, the card player asks for an additional card to get closer to a total of 21 or to reach exactly 21.
- Note, in case the new card takes the player to a higher total than 21, then the player gets busted and loses the game.
What are soft hands in the Blackjack game?
There is a very popular concept in the Blackjack game known as soft hands. Below is a detailed explanation of the same:
When a card player has Ace in one hand, is a random number card and not 10 the player can choose to play soft hands. The player is allowed to decide the Ace card’s count – 1 or 11. This helps them to avoid busting.
Here’s a simple example to understand how soft hands in the Blackjack game works:
- You have two cards. The first card is the Ace, while the second card is card number 8.
- Since the first card is an Ace, you can choose to decide its value to be 1 or 11.
- If you choose the Ace card’s value to be 1, your total will come to 9. (1+8 =9).
- However, if you choose the Ace card’s value to be 11, your total will be 19. (11+8=19)
- The second option takes you closer to the 21-point target.
- You can continue striving for the target by making a hit. Basically, drawing a new card.
- Note: If the draw results in a bust by counting the Ace as 11, the player simply counts the Ace as 1 and continues playing, either by standing or hitting.
What is the dealer’s play in a Blackjack game?
The following pointers explain the dealer’s play in the Blackjack:
- After serving all players, the dealer reveals their face-down cards.
- The dealer considers its Blackjack card values to determine its score.
- We are continuing with the previously mentioned soft cards example to better explain how the dealer’s play works.
- The card player's score is 19.
- If the dealer’s score is 19 or more, they must stand.
- If the dealer’s score is 18 or less, they must hit. (Draw a new card)
- The dealer must continue to draw the cards until they touch 19 or higher and then stand.
- Note: Here, it is assumed that the dealer is counting their Ace card’s value 11.
- Note: The dealer’s decisions are automatic, unlike the players.
What are some common yet important things to know about the game of Blackjack?
Signalling intentions:
- Stand – A player can say “stand” or “no-more” or signal by moving their hand sideways, palm down, just above the table.
- Hit – A player can say “hit” or signal by scratching the table or waving their hand.
Splitting pairs
- When a card player has 2 cards of the same denomination, they can choose to play it in 2 different hands.
- For example, if you have 2 Jack cards, you can play it in 2 different hands.
- The same betting amount will be applicable to both hands.
- For example, if you have bet ₹10,000 on the one bet, the same amount will be applicable on the other bet.
- Typically, the card player plays the left hand first and then the right hand next.
- Note: The dealer settles both hands on its own merit.
- Note: The dealer does not have the option to exercise splitting pairs.
Doubling down
- As the name suggests, doubling down means doubling the betting amount.
- Usually, the card player opts for double down when the total of the original two cards comes to 9,10 or 11.
- When the card player’s turn comes, they bet an equal amount as the original bet.
- The dealer gives the player only one face-down card.
- This face-down card is turned only when the bets of that hand are settled.
- Note: The dealer does not have the option of doubling down.
Insurance
- If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the players can make side bets.
- The card player must bet half of the original bet amount.
- Once all side bets have been placed, the dealer looks at the hole (hidden) in the card.
- If the hole card is card number 10, then the dealer will have a blackjack.
- As this happens, the players who made the safe bets are paid 2 to 1 on their bet.
- Furthermore, if the dealer has a Blackjack, the game ends, and all main bets (original bets) are collected by the dealer.
- However, if a player also has a Blackjack, the game results in a stand-off (push), meaning no one wins or loses on the main bet.
Settlement
- Once the bet is paid or collected, it is final.
- Whether the bet is won or lost, it is never returned.
- This means that once a bet is placed, it cannot be changed, and the outcome of the hand is final.
- Always the cards players go first.
- The player always plays the first hand and then the next.
- If the player goes bust first, they immediately lose their bet, even if the dealer busts afterwards.
- If the dealer goes bust first, they must pay each player who has not been busted.
- The amount paid is equal to the player’s bet.
- If the dealer has not busted, they compare their total to each player's total:
- If the player has a higher total win, and the dealer pays them their bet.
- If the player has a lower total loss, and the dealer collects their bet.
Wrapping it up
Blackjack is one of the most engaging casino games. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by getting the count as close to 21 and not beyond. You can win by strategically dealing with the cards and making smart betting decisions. The Ace is the most powerful card in the game. You can choose its value to be 1 or 11 as per the game’s requirement.


