How to Play Blackjack for Beginners [Update 2024]

Blackjack, also known as “21,” is one of the most well-known and played card games in land-based and online casinos globally. How to play blackjack? The goal is to try to beat the dealer. Blackjack is a card game that is simple yet requires some strategy that makes the game fun and popular with beginners and experienced players.

Are you interested in playing Blackjack and want to know how to play blackjack? Read the article until the end.

Blackjack Basics

Blackjack Objective

In blackjack, the objective is to win against the dealer by drawing cards to make a hand value that is as near to 21 as possible without going over. If you have a hand worth more than 21, you are “busted” and immediately lose the round.

Blackjack Card Values

In blackjack, points are awarded based on the value printed on the played card. So, a 2 is worth 2 points, a 3 is worth 3 points, and so on. The value of face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) is always 10. 

The player can choose to have the Ace count for either 1 or 11 points, whatever they think can help them most.

Blackjack, “Natural 21”

A “blackjack” or “natural 21” occurs when a player has a hand that contains both an Ace and a card with a value of 10 points (10, Jack, Queen, or King). This is the best hand you can get in the game, and it usually pays out three times as much as your original stake.

How to Play Blackjack?

We said earlier that playing blackjack is easy, and we meant every word of it. The objective is to get as close to 21 without going over 21. In blackjack, you compete against the dealer.

How does it play out? So, each player, including the dealer, will initially receive two cards. During the start of the game, the dealer will be dealt one card face down and one up. Hence, you won’t know the value of the dealer’s hand until you get the chance to play.

Then, the dealer will announce for each player to reveal their hand in turns, starting with them. If you choose to play your blackjack hand, ask for additional cards by saying, “Hit me.” You say this until you are pleased. 

You will then say “stand,” and the dealer will move on to the next player. Remember not to let greed overpower you, as if you go beyond 21; you will lose (also called going “bust”).

The dealer will make a move when all players have finished playing their hands by revealing their face-down card. If their hand is below 17, fresh cards must be taken. The dealer will continue this action until they have 17 or more or when they lose all their money. 

You win the game if your hand is higher than the dealer’s. The value of each blackjack card can be easily calculated. The value of a card is determined by its numerical value; face cards (Jack, Queen, King) each have a value of 10; an Ace can have either a value of 1 or 11, depending on what is more advantageous for the player who has it.

Conclusion

Learning how to play blackjack is an exciting and easy journey that may bring hours of fun and the chance to win money with your friends! As explained in this article, you can improve your chances of winning by mastering the game’s objective and rules. Have fun playing against the dealer!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is blackjack and how to play blackjack?

Blackjack, also known as “21,” is a popular casino card game where players play against the dealer and aim to have a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.

2. What are the values of the cards in blackjack?

In blackjack, numbered cards (2-10) are worth their face value, face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) are worth 10 points each, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points (players can choose either).

3. How is a hand’s value determined in blackjack?

The value of a hand in blackjack is the sum of the point values of all the cards in the hand. Aces can be counted as 1 or 11, depending on which value benefits the hand more.