Blackjack or 21 is one of the most popular casino games and also the one where you stand to lose the least amount of money. It is easy to learn and exciting to play with a low house edge. Yes, you can reduce the house edge if you follow these rules.

We’ve provided a gaming guide that contains all the rules and information a novice needs to learn about Blackjack.

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Rank of cards

Jacks, Queens, Kings and 10s count as 10, aces are worth either a one or an 11, depending on which is of more advantage to the hand. Cards from 2-10 are played at face value.

Possible outcomes 

The player bet against the dealer to get as close to 21 without going over it.

If your hand is closer to 21 than of the dealer, you win an equal amount to your bet. If it is less than the dealer’s, you lose.

 Hand equal to 21 is called a “Blackjack”or “neutral”, you automatically win the best as long as the dealer doesn’t have a Blackjack too. If a hand goes over 21, it’s a “bust” which means the wager is lost. You can also lose if the dealer’s hand is closer to 21 than yours

Game strategies 

Players go first in the game before the dealer reveals their face down cards, all their cards face up while the dealer’s first card is face up and the second is face down.

When you receive your first two cards as the player, you might opt to either “stand” or “hit.”

 When you “stand” signifies that you want to keep the initial card dealt with or no longer need any additional cards if you’re close to 21. It is indicated by waving off with your hand or waving your flat hand across the cards.

If you decide to “hit” I.e receive another card from the deck, tap or scratch the table behind your wager with your finger. Other strategies you can use as a player as:

  • Splitting

As a player, you can decide to split if the original card dealt with has the same numerical value. By splitting, you turn the pair into two hands, with equal bets to that of the original 

  • Doubling down

Doubling down means doubling your initial bet as the player, you’ll be dealt with one additional card after which you must stand

  • Insurance 

The insurance bet is a wager on whether the dealer has a Blackjack. If the dealer’s upwards is an Ace, the option of insurance is offered to the player, If the dealer has a Blackjack as predicted, the insurance bet pay 2:1, but you lose all if otherwise 

Conclusion 

Blackjack is one of the easiest casino games to play, you’re up against only the dealer.

With a house edge of 1% in most casinos, it has the best odds of winning. It’s an ideal game to start with as a novice.