Introduction
Blackjack, or Twenty-one as it is also known, is a very famous and entertaining game. It is a modality explored in many movies and series, and it is also possible to play online at different sites. But instantly, as we see it in movies and series, we start to think about how to play 21.
Simple to play and easy to understand, BlackJack has great appeal among casino players because it is a rare game against the house where your decisions can make a big difference. Unlike slot machines, where you rely exclusively on luck, in BlackJack, your skill defines your fate.
It works like a regular card game where your opponent is the Dealer, the person who deals the cards, and you must hit 21 points or as close to it as possible to win.
Since this game requires strategies and experience from the players, not just luck, we have separated some tips to win at 21. But first, let’s take a look at how to play BlackJack.
What is BlackJack?
With several cities under quarantine, searching for games on the internet has become a practical way to have fun, and it is possible to set up a home game at home and play online poker with friends or 21 on internet sites.
The site we recommend for this modality is Bodog, widely known by Brazilians for its presence in several soccer-related sponsorships.
Blackjack has rules that are easy to understand and relies on one to eight decks of 52 cards, each of which has a specific value.
The game begins with the players placing their bets and the Dealer dealing each player at the table a card face up and taking a card for himself, also face up.
Then, another round of cards is dealt to the player face up while the Dealer takes his second card face down. The aim of the game is to reach a score of 21 or close to it, without exceeding it.
Blackjack Rules
The king, queen, and jack are worth 10 points, cards 2 through 10 are worth the corresponding numeral, and the “ace” is worth 1 or 11 points, depending on which is considered more favorable.
All players play against the Dealer, the professional who manages the table. BlackJack begins by asking for a card or more cards, depending on your game strategy, to add up to 21.
Once all players have made their decisions, the Dealer turns over his second card. If the sum of his cards is less than 16, he turns over another card.
If the Dealer blows the number 21, everyone with a hand still in play that hasn’t blown the number wins.
If the Dealer scores between 17-21, he compares his hand to the others on the table. If a player has a higher total than the Dealer, he wins.
Common BlackJack Situations
We need to know common BlackJack situations to learn how to play the BlackJack we want to explore: hitting, splitting, doubling, and dealing.
Hitting BlackJack on 2 Cards
BlackJack is hit on any two-card combination containing any Ace and any card with a value of 10. If you receive a BlackJack, the hand immediately ends for you
Split
Whenever you receive cards of the same value, you can split your game. To do this, you ask for a split; to do so, you have to match your bet for the second game. From then on, you compete against the Dealer with two different hands.
In the case of splitting Aces, you can only ask for one extra card for each hand.
Doubling
You may double your game if your first two incoming cards total 9,10, or 11.
This allows you to double your initial bet and receive one more card. After the next card, you cannot draw any more cards and will have to wait until the hand is played.
Dealing
Players can fold their hands when the Dealer’s open card is a 10 or an Ace. This is because, with these cards, the Dealer can form a BlackJack, nullifying your chances of winning if this happens. In this case, you agree to lose half your bet.
7 Tips Top Tips to Win at 21 – From Beginner to Advanced
If you choose to play BlackJack at online casino sites, it is important to have a good command of the game and a plan to reduce the house odds, which can be set up through ready-made tables and strategies on how to play 21.
1- Train Your Moves
Training your moves through the free games of Twenty-One can be a great strategy for gambling games worth money.
Some sites provide test or fun mode games for players using dummy money worth checking out.
2- Card Counting
This is more of a warning than a tip. Some gaming houses can recognize card counting as cheating.
Moreover, in online Blackjack games, this technique does not work because the technology that deals with the cards has the function of using algorithms to shuffle and can change the distribution order.
For this reason, it is not worth trying this technique. We highly recommend not counting cards, as it’s an abuse regarding the T&C of Blackjack.
3- Splitting Aces
If it is possible to split Aces, seize the moment and form two hands to increase your chances of winning the game; after all, Aces can be worth either one or eleven, which guarantees a chance of winning in one of the options.
4- Double the Bet
This technique of playing BlackJack presents the possibility of asking for more than one card and doubling the bet value.
However, it is recommended that you use these strategies only if you hold cards with high values such as 9, 10, and 11, thus forming a double equivalent to 21 or as close to it as possible.
5- Know When To Ask the Dealer for a Card
To help increase your winnings, only ask for a card when you have a hard 4-8 hand (no aces). In the case of a hard 9, double the bet if the Dealer has card scores of 2 to 6.
When the Dealer has cards of scores 7 to 10, ask for a new card if your hard hand has scored 12 to 16.
In soft hands of 13 to 15, it is also a good strategy to ask for a card, as well as in the smooth hand of 16 to 18, doubling the bet when the Dealer has cards from 2 to 6.
6- Don’t Take Out Insurance
Insurance in Blackjack can be taken out in cases where the Dealer shows an Ace. It causes your bet to be split, putting you on a side bet.
That is, the house has advantages increased if it has 21, and you pay the side bet with 2:1, consequently losing money.
7- Invest in Bonuses
Bonuses are an excellent advantage for the Twenty-One player, requiring you to bet a certain amount before it is released into your account.
So, depending on the bonus you receive, you can turn the house edge with an extra amount.
So keep your bonus alert on the online casino site and take advantage of this feature’s opportunities.
Conclusion
In this article, we have understood how to play BlackJack. Since BlackJack is also a game of luck and mathematical probabilities, it is important to always check the current situation of your game, considering the possibilities of winning and losing.
Therefore, all the strategies on how to play 21 taught here in this article can be used on certain occasions and should never compromise your gambling budget.