A Beginners Guide To Blackjack

The classic casino game, blackjack can be a little daunting for new players and that is where this handy guide comes in to help you. In this guide you will find the basics of blackjack to help you get a foothold at the table.

How to Play blackjack?

Firstly, we have to break it to you that you’ll be using a classic deck of cards. A traditional blackjack deck has 13 ranks, and each suite has one card per rank.

• The first card is the ace (A), worth either 1 or 11 points.
• The following cards of two (2) to ten (10/T) have their rank equals their point value.
• The last three cards are the Jack (J), Queen (Q), and King (K). These are called face cards, and each of them is worth 10 points.

No matter how many players are at the table, a typical blackjack game is only two hands. Yes, it’s only you versus the dealer.

The primary goal of blackjack is to collect cards with a total value more than the dealer without going over 21. Here are some fundamental decisions or terms you must know:

Stand – It means you will “stay” with the original two cards you are dealing with. And, you’ll not do anything else for this current hand-in-progress.

Hit –  When you need to draw more cards.

Double-Down – When you have two cards whose total value can be a game-changer with just one good hit.

Split – When your original two cards are of the same value, and you want to “split” them into two separate hands. However, it would be best if you played them both for this round.

Blackjack – Also known as “The Natural,” this means you have a total hand value of “21”, composed of an Ace and a 10-value card.

Insurance – A side bet offered to you if the dealer also has a Natural or Blackjack.

Bust – When your total value of cards exceeds 21 after drawing additional cards. Push –  When both you and the dealer possess the exact total value of cards.

What Does a Soft 17 Mean in blackjack?

Like all card games, blackjack can also have some variations at times. You can find these different combinations in different casinos. Or even you’ll find different varieties at other tables within the same casino.

One key variation you might come across is the soft 17. A soft 17 means that the Ace card will hold the value of 11. As Ace-2-4, Ace-3-3, Ace-6 is a soft 17. That means when you have two cards, and one of them is an ace, you have the option to work with totals. For example, you have an ace and a four. You have total card values of either five or 15.

At some casinos, the dealer is required to hit soft 17. In this case, the dealer has an edge of about two-tenths of a per cent higher against a basic strategy player than if he stands at a soft 17.

Can a Beginner Win at Blackjack?

For beginners, blackjack might seem a bit more intimidating to do a blackjack hand at an actual casino. Keep these simple tips in mind while you head for your first blackjack session.

• Get the basic strategy clear.
• Divide the entire bank into several equal parts. By dividing the total estimates of the evening, you can enjoy short breaks from the game after a couple of bets.
• If you are a beginner, it is better to avoid a game paid 6 to 5. For example, a game of 8 decks with a 3 to 2 payout is safer than a single-deck 6 to 5 game.
• Learn to control your emotions. Try to remain calm and neutral even if you feel it’s over for you. You can’t be lucky every single day!

Conclusion

Every professional you see at the casino was once a beginner for sure! Blackjack is a highly individual-dependent game and can open or shut doors with just a single move. All you need to get right as a beginner is a great game strategy, consistency, and making the right decisions.