Casino card games can turn quickly on a single card, so it’s important to be prepared for basically any circumstance as you play. One way to do that is to familiarize yourself with some basic rules for online casino games, including blackjack.
The Rules of Blackjack
Novice players start to play blackjack with confidence when they grasp the blackjack basics. In most games, the rules of blackjack begin with buying into the game and getting your first two cards dealt to you.
You can then decide whether you want to increase your wager and if so, by how much. When it’s your turn, you’ll have the choice to either hit (get additional cards), stay (refuse additional cards), or take more aggressive actions like doubling down or splitting.
Your objective as a player is to have your hand get closer than the dealer’s to 21 without surpassing that number. There are many ways to do so but the dealer has the advantage.
In certain instances, you’ll get the option to surrender or buy insurance. These are both strategies that can help you mitigate a potential loss but even these scenarios involve some risk.
Surrendering
The blackjack surrender rule gives players the opportunity to recoup some of what appears to be a lost wager. If you choose to surrender, half of your wager will be returned to you.
Some variants of blackjack won’t include this option and even for those that do, there are differences in when you can surrender. Early surrenders are the most common and they require you to make your move before the dealer reveals their cards.
Late surrenders are less common but the moment comes after the dealer reveals their cards. However, if the dealer reveals 21, surrender is not available.
The probabilities suggest that a surrender could be a good move in many scenarios, including if you have a non-pair hand adding up to 14, 15, or 16 while the dealer shows a 10.
Blackjack Insurance Rules
You’ve got two queens showing and you’re beaming with satisfaction. At that moment, the dealer turns up an ace. In a flash, your anticipation turns to dread as you know that the other card could very well be the 10, Jack, Queen, or King the dealer needs to best your hand.
In many blackjack variants, this is when the dealer will ask every player if they want to buy insurance. Blackjack insurance bets are essentially a side bet that can allow you to limit your losses if the dealer does hit a natural blackjack.
Normally, the cost of the insurance is half of the stake you placed on the game. If the dealer hits blackjack, you win that bet although you lose your initial wager.
If the dealer doesn’t hit blackjack, you lose your insurance stake but your original bet stands. Play proceeds as normal from there.
This is just one example of the scenarios to be prepared for by checking out the rules of each game. There are many other rules to know when you play blackjack.
Splitting Pairs
The rules of splitting in blackjack revolve around getting dealt a pair of cards with the same value, like two eights. Knowing when to split, however, is a little more complicated.
Splitting is separating your hand into two hands. This doubles your stake but also potentially doubles the value of your win and strengthens your position.
Splitting can be either a defensive or offensive move in blackjack. For example, if your pair of cards represents a high number that might put you in danger of busting (going over 21), then it’s a good move to split and give yourself better odds.
If the cards show that the dealer is more in danger of busting, however, and you have a lower pair, then splitting makes sense because it allows you to capitalize on that scenario if your luck holds.
Here’s a closer look at another example of splitting.
Splitting 8s Rule in Blackjack
Suppose you’ve fired up the BetMGM app and selected your game, made your bet, and the first two cards you are dealt are both eights. The rule of thumb in this situation is that splitting those 8s in blackjack is a must because you’re turning what’s statistically a weak hand into a potentially stronger pair of hands. Recognizing these opportunities comes easier as you gain experience.
Double Down Rules in Blackjack
Many blackjack variants allow you to double down on your hand. This is an important time to remember that just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.
The rules of blackjack doubling down include many opinions on when it’s best to do this, but you should first understand what it means to double down in blackjack. In most games, it simply means to double your wager after you see what cards are dealt to you.
In standard games, the correct time to do this is after you receive your first two cards. At a physical casino, you add a second stack of chips identical to the chips for your initial wager.
When you play live dealer or online versions of blackjack, you’ll click or tap double down on the screen to perform this move. While you can double down on any hand, it can mean twice the loss if you don’t win.
In traditional games, the conventional wisdom is to double down if your initial cards total nine, 10, or 11 without an ace. That wisdom also advises players to avoid doubling down if the dealer is showing an ace or cards that add up to at least 11.
Opportunities to double down are more abundant in blackjack than other side rules that the game features.
Blackjack 5 Card Rule
As there are a set number of cards used in each game, there are specific probabilities for each outcome in a deal. One of the results with the lowest probability is the five-card trick, also known as the five-card Charlie rule.
This is the term for when a player is dealt five cards but doesn’t go bust. While you can hit a five-card blackjack trick, you’re extremely unlikely to do so. The rule here is to recognize that low probability and to react accordingly when the opportunity presents itself.
Basic Blackjack Rules of Thumb
These basic rules of blackjack cover all the common scenarios in the game. Here’s some additional advice to ensure you understand how the game works and have the best shot at winning.
Know the Rules For Each Blackjack Variant
One of the blackjack rules of thumb should take precedence over all others is simply familiarizing yourself with how to play blackjack. You should never assume that every casino and table offers the exact same rules.
While there are many standard rules across all types of blackjack, there are some blackjack rule variants that can affect your strategy in diverse variants. An example of this is whether a game allows you to surrender and if so, when you can invoke that option.
When it comes to understanding the rules of the game, another concept that you must grasp is the house edge in blackjack. Familiarity with this factor can guide your wager choices.
Sizing Up the Blackjack House Edge
The first thing that new players might misunderstand when they begin to learn about blackjack is what the house edge actually is. They might confuse it with the probability of a certain result during the game or their odds of winning the game.
The house edge in blackjack is neither of those things. It’s the portion of all the money wagered on a blackjack game that the casino keeps instead of returning to players.
Even when a player wins, there’s still a house edge. This tends to deviate between half a percent and 4% depending on the blackjack variant being played, the experience level of the players at the table, and the casino’s house rules.
Why does knowing that matter? The lower the house edge, the better the return to players. Keeping this in mind will allow you to think strategically about your choices before you even start playing.
Select the Right Blackjack Game for Your Goals
In addition to learning the rules of a blackjack game before you play, you should spend some time considering what you want to get out of your time. Do you want to pass some time playing casually? Are you looking to go for some big payouts by placing some high-stakes bets? Is your priority more on trying to build your bankroll in small increments over time?
Perhaps you have different ambitions at different times. Regardless, knowing this will help you identify the right blackjack variant to match your desires.
Having these options is one reason why BetMGM is the best casino for online blackjack. You can check out nine different blackjack variants to see if any of them match your wishes.
Some of these games emphasize different aspects of blackjack while others incorporate some unique game mechanics. Another aspect that will affect your choice is whether you want to play a digital or live version of the game.
Live Casino Blackjack Rules
Many players come to BetMGM wondering what live dealer blackjack is about. The simplest way to explain it is that playing live dealer blackjack on BetMGM is essentially taking a virtual seat at a real blackjack table.
While games like First Person Blackjack are close to the live dealer experience, with BetMGM’s live dealer casino games, the only components that are digital are your chips and your interactions with the dealer or other players. The croupier is a real human, the table is tangible, and the cards are physical.
To extend that realism and real-world experience, rules for these games are either the same or similar to what you’ll find at a land-based casino. You’ll have many of the same options you’d have at a brick-and-mortar casino, including your options to react to the cards you’re dealt.
Here’s a closer look at playing one of the most exciting live dealer variants: Speed Blackjack.
Speed Blackjack Rules
Knowledge is power when it comes to how to play Speed Blackjack. This variant can reward you for reacting quickly to the game.
In Speed Blackjack, you only have a maximum of seven seconds to decide whether to hit, stand, or make other moves. There are incentives for even faster play, as if you want a card, you get first priority over other players if you decide to hit before they do.
There’s also a penalty for letting time expire, as you are put on auto-dealer option. However, you can set that option before you begin playing.
This live dealer game includes many player options like the option to protect yourself if the dealer might hit blackjack.
But what about the rules of other variants in offline and online casinos?
Are Vegas Blackjack Rules Different?
Casinos and game developers have become quite adept at taking creative approaches to blackjack and other table games. In the 21st century, these networks of suppliers have enabled more standardization across geographic areas.
That’s why even in a gambling epicenter like Las Vegas, you should be aware of variations between different versions of blackjack than local versions. Within places like Vegas, you’ll find different variants and shouldn’t assume that every game has all the same rules.
How the Blackjack Variant You Play Affects the Rules
Blackjack variant rules range from serious to subtle in terms of how they affect gameplay. These variations involve tweaks to the pace of the game, the number of cards in play, the number of hands that players can wield simultaneously, and what side bets are permissible.
For example, 5 Hand Blackjack allows players, as the name suggests, to play up to five hands at the same time. Meanwhile, Blackjack Xchange puts a stock market twist on the game and is one of the most unique blackjack concepts available.
There are also progressive blackjack games, where players get chances at huge jackpots with side bets. In all of these variants, it’s important to observe how the rule changes affect the probabilities.
For instance, if you’re playing a multi-deck game, you need to account for the additional number of cards when you’re surveying the table. More cards means more possible combinations that could get you to 21 or put you over.
Despite the additional study time necessary, blackjack variants are great for providing new experiences that can break up the monotony of standard games. For players who have specific blackjack strategy preferences, variants can also emphasize such aspects of the game.
Rules of Thumb for Playing Blackjack the Smart Way
All players, regardless of experience level, will benefit from practicing blackjack bankroll management strategies. Determining exactly how much you want to risk on each hand before you start playing is key to managing your budget in the long run.
Another way to play smart is to take advantage of promotions that BetMGM offers to blackjack fans. As an example, you can use the bonus funds you get from BetMGM’s stupendous casino welcome bonus to learn about the different variants available.
You can land those bonuses when you register for BetMGM, and begin exploring all the various ways to play blackjack. For such a simple game, there is a world of possibilities.
