Blackjack Card Game Rules: how to play and how to win

Variety of Blackjack Rules: Simple and Easy

The game comes with several small rules that you preferably want to commit to memory. To save you some time looking for what these are, we have decided to elaborate on the rules of blackjack and give you a very neat little description of what you should keep an eye out for and why. First, we will start with the so-called basic and simple blackjack rules to help.

So you are looking to play a game you clearly enjoy and want to get better at, or have some more fun with. These are perfectly valid reasons to pursue your hobby, and here is how you get started. Usually, even various types of game boil down to the same basic rules. In certain games, such as Blackjack flash, these rules may vary a bit.

Basic Blackjack Rules

So, you would need to understand some basic black jack rules before you may approach any table – whether at a land-based casino or online. The good news is the black jack rules are actually straightforward. We recommend taking a look at the sheet below.

There, you will find all the blackjack rules you need to start playing right away. Next, pick a demo version of the game and just play around with what you have just learned. Let’s take a look at the rules:

• Hit

  The hit is the primary action you can make in the game. This simply tells the dealer that you are willing to have another card dealt your way. Many players take at least one extra card, but in most cases, that will depend on what specific strategy they are using and what cards have been dealt with already.

• Stand

  If a player is happy with the cards that have been dealt with, they will choose to stand. This means that you are happy with your hand right as it is and you are ready to see what the dealer's hand is.

• Double Down

  So what’s double down in blackjack. To double down means that you are actually quite sure about what your hands are holding and as such you want to double the size of your bet, hence the name. Players go for this option when they are sure that their hand is too strong to beat statistically.

• Split

  A blackjack split or split pairs means that you wish to split your first two cards and play with two individual hands instead. This is possible when your hands are of identical value, although there may be some casino-specific restrictions. For example, some casinos and versions only allow a split when the cards are of the exact same type.

• Resplit

  Some variants of the Blackjack 21 will even allow you to resplit once you have already split. This rule will change from one casino to the next, so it's best to see what specific rules apply. Everything is explained transparently, so don't worry about getting overwhelmed with rules.

• Splitting Tens

  This is the most common type of split allowed. Split tens means that you are allowed to split two cards so long as their value is ten points, regardless of their numeric value, i.e. whether a 10 + K or Q + J and so on.

Hand Signals

While the blackjack card game rules are quite simple, you may actually be excited to find out that there are a few specific signals you can pick to indicate your intention. It's quite fun to be familiar with these hand signals, as they will make you more involved with the experience and quickly put you apart from the casual players. These rules apply at a brick-and-mortar casino.

If you do wish to add a sort of authority to your stature as a player, then learning how to play with hand rules is something worth acquiring as a skill. Here are a few for you:

• Hit. Tap the table and point the finger at your cards.

• Stand. Wave your hands horizontally to indicate that you are happy with the cards you have got.

• Blackjack double down. Place an extra bet in a separate stack and raise a finger to let the dealer know.

• Split. Place an extra bet in a separate stack and hold up two fingers to let the dealer know you are splitting your hand.

It's important to remember that you are not allowed to touch the cards in most cases, so clear that up with the casino as well. Now, these rules will apply for almost all games, but there is the face-down blackjack game you ought to consider. There, the hand signals are just slightly different, and specifically:

• Hit. Just scrape the table with your index finger.

• Stand. Place your cards under your chip stack (here you may touch your cards)

• Double down. Reveal your cards, add a second bet to the original stack and hold up one finger.

• Split. Blackjack splitting is almost the same as doubling down your cards. Add a second bet and hold up two fingers.

This etiquette may seem a little excessive, but once you commit it to memory, you will see how much more efficient it is to play this way. It saves time, and it's relatively quick all-around, so why not? Blackjack rules are always quick, fun and easy!

Additional Rules

• Blackjack insurance

  You are allowed to take a side bet known as insurance when you see that the dealer's first hand is an Ace. This way, if you end up losing, you will be entitled to retrieve half of your stake back.

• Surrender

  Surrender is a common option that is usually always available with all variants and all casinos. If you choose to surrender, you will only end up losing half of your bet. Some players choose this option when they feel that there is a very small chance for them to succeed statistically.

• 21+3

  This is an interesting side bet that considers the player's hand along with the dealer's visible card. The player wins if three cards form a flush, straight, straight flush or three-of-a-kind. Evidently, should this outcome fail to produce itself, the casino wins the side bet. There could be other blackjack rules for slightly different game types, too!