While Blackjack may seem complicated at first, here at IraqBet, we believe there are actually ways and means to become a pro in no time. That’s why we’ve put together 10 super easy steps to become a Blackjack pro here!
Before You Begin
Here are some fun facts about the card game. The origin of Blackjack is unknown. However, it has many ties to Spain, where street hustlers used the game to gain financial advantages over their opponents. Other references to the game exist in the France region, where it was used in casinos in the early 18th century. Blackjack, known as 21 at that time, was later introduced to the U.S. market by casinos offering profitable payouts to attract potential players.
Blackjack has proven itself to be one of the core elements of any land-based and online casino. Since the rules are relatively easy to understand, it’s very easy to get caught up in the hype of hitting 21 without any specific strategy. In this guide, we look at 10 steps you can take to play like a pro.
1 – Learn the Rules
Before starting any casino game, knowing the rules is a vital part of success. Unlike most games, Blackjack can be played with a strategy, meaning it’s not entirely a game of luck. You should also know that Blackjack can be played with one or up to eight decks. How it works is that both the dealer and you are dealt two cards, with one of the dealer’s cards facing up, known as the “hole card.” You win by making your hand total 21 without going over. If your cards total over 21, you lose immediately. However, your hand must beat the dealer’s total. So, if you stand at 16 and the dealer busts with over 21, you win the round.
There are five options a player can take when playing their hand in Blackjack, and we’ll guide you through them here. First, you can choose “stand,” which means you are satisfied with your hand. After choosing stand, the dealer will reveal their face-down card. Then there is the option “hit,” which is done by tapping or scratching the table next to your bet, and the dealer will give you another card.
Next, we have “double,” which should only be done when you are confident that you have a strong hand. When doubling, you add more money to your initial bet, and you will receive one more card. You will not be allowed to hit after doubling. The third option is “split,” which means you will take one hand and turn it into two. By combining doubling and splitting, you can win double the money.
Just something to note: Insurance is when the dealer has an ace showing on the table, so there’s a chance they have a Blackjack. If the dealer has Blackjack, you lose. You now have the option to bet half of your original bet on whether the dealer will hit Blackjack. If the dealer’s hand totals 21, you win. Finally, you have the “surrender” option, where you are given the choice to concede and get back half of your bet.
2 – Start with Basic Strategy
It’s worth entering any game with some kind of strategy in mind, as this reduces the chances of making mistakes and eventually losing. In Blackjack, there are really two great strategies; however, it’s important to understand that strategies cannot overcome the house edge. Below is a simple list of rules to follow that will increase your chances of success when playing Blackjack. These rules, once understood and memorized, will make a big difference in whether you are successful while playing, as they will help you understand exactly what the cards in your hand mean.
3 – Know when to Surrender
There are only two occasions when you should surrender: either when you have 16 against a dealer with a 9 showing an Ace, or when you have 15 against a dealer with a 10 showing.
4 – Should You Split?
Splitting is a move where a player divides a hand of two cards of the same value into two different hands. This can be both beneficial and harmful to your Blackjack round, and you need to know when it is appropriate to do so. Below is a guide on when to split.
Aces are always split because there is a chance of receiving a 10-value card on one or both.
When the dealer shows a card between 2 and 9 (except 7) and the player has a pair of 9s, it is always split. The alternative is to stand.
Always split eights.
There are some other situations where splitting is recommended based on the dealer’s card, such as when the dealer has a card between 2 and 9, and the player has a pair of 5s, it should always be split.
5 – Hard or Soft Double?
A soft total is any hand that contains an Ace as one of the first two cards, where the Ace is valued at 11, and a hard total is any hand that doesn’t start with an Ace, or a hand where the Ace is valued as 1 instead of 11. Sometimes you’ll have the option to double your bet, but players often fall into the trap of doing so when they think they have a good hand. However, there are times when it’s best not to double, such as when you have a weak total. It’s a good rule to double only when you have a hard total close to 21, as the dealer will have a higher chance of busting.
6 – Take a Stand
Standing is when a player chooses not to take another card from the dealer, and there are times when the odds are against your hand, and taking another hit will result in losing the game. It’s generally good to stand once you reach certain totals, such as between 12 and 16; however, there are specific totals where you should always stand, from 17 to 20.
7 – When to Hit?
Hitting is when the player asks for another card from the dealer, and the card they receive is added to the total of their hand. There are times when hitting is good, but once you reach a total of 17, you should not even consider hitting. Totals between 12 and 16 are also risky, but you might get away with receiving another card when you have these totals.
8 – Don’t Try Card Counting if You’re New to the Game
Card counting is against the casino rules and is usually easily detected in beginners due to the time it takes to make a decision on whether to hit, stand, split, or surrender. Another reason not to do it is that by trying to count cards without knowing the system, it could backfire and lead to some very poor choices.
You could say that card counting goes hand-in-hand with taking insurance, and what most players fail to realize is that insurance is meant to benefit the casino, not the players. Unless you’re a card counter, this option is a bad idea because the chances of the dealer getting the card they need to recover half of your bet is 30.8%, which are terrible odds to play against. Insurance is completely unnecessary unless you’re counting cards, and it’s best to avoid it whenever possible.
Understanding Side Bets
Side bets are usually avoided due to house edges, but you can use them to your advantage if you know how. Below is a brief explanation of some of them and what they involve.
21 + 3 This side bet works like a mini-game that allows you to win based on the first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. Depending on the combination of these cards, you can win if you get a three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, or straight flush.
Super Sevens This side bet rewards you based on how many 7s you have, with better rewards for more 7s. The return you receive from these cards depends on whether they are suited or not and also whether you’ve already received a 7.
Over/Under 13 This is one of the simplest side bets, where you’re allowed to bet on whether the first two cards will total over or under 13. You automatically lose if the total is exactly 13.
10 – 10 – Try to Beat the Dealer
A common misconception is that you need to get 21 to win, but basically, all you need to do to win is beat the dealer, either by having a higher total than theirs or by standing on a high value, causing the dealer to bust (go over 21).
Summary
Strategies have been formulated by teaching computers how to play Blackjack, and the computer then played millions of hands, recording the results. Through trial and error, the computer learned how to make the best decisions for a player, with every possible hand being matched against every possible dealer hand. Strategies can be used depending on your playing style, and once you choose a strategy, you should practice it until you feel comfortable enough to sit in front of a dealer.
There is no harm in practicing, and if your goal is to be a great Blackjack player, you should know exactly what you’re doing without second-guessing the decisions you make.