How to Play Blackjack: Tips & Tricks
Casino games are entertaining, full of suspense, and require not only luck but also skill when scoring the best performances. Nowadays, you can play casino games in live casinos, online on designated platforms or apps, or just for fun at a friend’s get-together or game night party.
Some classic casino games, like roulette, poker, or blackjack, have been around for tens of years, even hundreds of years. They remain top choices in the industry and have been featured in movies, music videos, and many other art forms.
The good news is that everyone can learn to play casino games with a little bit of practice and patience. It is not only an excellent exercise to get to play in casinos or with friends and family but also a way to train your memory and math skills.
Blackjack – A game that trains your mind
Poker and blackjack especially require some basic mathematics skills, so learning how to play can positively impact other activities, like daily work or planning a budget.
You don’t need months or years to play blackjack like a pro, but you’ll need some time to learn the rules and practice the game to understand better how it unfolds.
If you are new to blackjack and want to learn how to play, check out some of the tips and tricks below:
Learn the general rules
You can play blackjack in numerous ways, and you’ll find many casinos that have adapted the rules, made little modifications or added some new elements to the game. Still, if you are new to the game, learning the basic rules is essential.
The first thing you need to know is the general aim of the game. Each game, not necessarily a casino game only, has a designated object: you must complete specific tasks or score a particular goal.
In the case of blackjack, a player must obtain a score of 21 or as close to 21 as possible. There are also two additional and essential conditions: a player must beat the dealer, and a player automatically loses if they score higher than 21.
Blackjack: The unfolding of the game
At the beginning of the game, everyone will place their bets, and the dealer will shuffle and cut the cards.
The dealer will use one or more 52-card decks and give every player one card face-up. In the end, the dealer will provide themselves with one card face-up. The second card is face-up to every player except the dealer, who gets the second card face-down.
After the cards have been dealt, each player decides if they are going to ‘stand’ or ‘hit.’ Stand means they won’t get another card, while hit means they will receive an additional card from the dealer. This can go for multiple rounds until all players decide to stand or go over 21, meaning they have automatically lost.
The game outcome
Once every player has been served the number of cards they want, the dealer turns up the face-down card. If both cards total 17 or more, the dealer will stand, just like other players, but if the cards sum up less than 17, they will take one or more cards until they reach at least 17.
You also must remember that in this game, the ace can be worth 1 or 11, depending on the player’s decision.
Discover basic strategies
Since it was first played, blackjack has caught the attention of many people, especially statisticians and mathematicians, wanting to discover if the game was about luck or skill and if it could be beaten. This has led to the appearance of many tactics and strategies, both legitimate and without any scientific base.
There are basic strategies that newbies can safely use. A good example is to ask for more cards until you reach at least 17 if the dealer’s card is an 8, 9, 10, or ace and to stop asking for more cards if you have reached 12 or higher if the dealer’s card is a 4 or 5.
You can look up on the internet to discover many basic strategies but be aware that many websites offer inaccurate information or even try to scam players. Ensure you are accessing legit information from reputable or backed-up sources.
You can practice it online
Practice is essential to learn how to play blackjack and becoming good at it. The great thing about playing blackjack is that now you can do it online, on the go, or from the comfort of your own home.
If you want to start playing blackjack online, make sure you find a licensed casino that adheres to all the regulations and legislation imposed by the state. This way, you’ll know that you are not at risk for fraud, phishing, or other scams.
You can play numerous blackjack games online, but we recommend sticking to the classic version or choosing from a verified list of live games. In live games, a dealer will attend to you, which will resemble the experience of a physical casino.
Never forget to check the fine print
Before choosing the blackjack game, get some information about the RTP or Return-to-Player rate. RTP refers to how much money players invest in a game gets back to them over a certain period. A higher RTP rate does not automatically mean you will win more or lose less, but it can be used as an indicator to get an idea about the game.
You’ll also need to check the betting limits and see how much you can bet. Our advice is to stick to the minimum bets or at least bet lower amounts of money if you are a beginner. This way, you’ll discover the game without pressure.
Final thoughts
Blackjack is part of the classic suit of casino games, played worldwide by millions of people. It is not hard to learn, and with a bit of practice, you can become accustomed to the gameplay in just a matter of days or weeks. Use the tips and tricks above to start, and remember to always go for lower bets in the beginning.
