Scratching your head and wondering “how to play blackjack“? Well wonder no more! We're here to take you through the basics of blackjack so next time someone invites you to play or for your casino night at home, you can confidently stride to the table (virtual or real life) and know what the heck is going on.

How to play blackjack

Blackjack is one of the best casino games to play at home, making it a popular favorite among players. The main aim of blackjack is to beat the dealer in the race to 21 points. That's right, in the game of blackjack, the dealer is your competitor. You get points in blackjack via the cards you're dealt. With the exception of royals, each card is worth its face value. So, for example, if you've got an 8 and a 2 (of any suit), you've got 10 points. Aces are worth either 11 points or 1 point, and then royals are worth 10 points a pop. The game of blackjack starts with the dealer dishing out two cards to every player, including themselves. All the playing cards uk are face up, however the dealer has one face up card and one face down card. Once you've got your two cards, you need to decide what to do next. Should you: get another card (hit); get another card and double your bet (double down); do nothing (stand);  create two new hands, which is only possible if you were dealt two of the same value cards (split). There is one other move you can make, although it's not exactly an action. An Ace in blackjack is really useful because of its chameleon-like nature, flipping from 1 to 11 on a whim. So if your dealer's face up card is an Ace, you might be a bit spooked. If that's the case, you have the option to take out insurance. This basically means you pay half the cost of your bet. Then if the dealer wins, you don't lose any more money. If you're dealt dodgy cards, it can be a good tact to take. However, it also lessens your payout if you win. After you and any other players take your actions, it's the dealer's turn. They flip over their secret card to show everyone what it is. Then they keep taking cards until they hit 17 or above, or go bust. If you get closer to 21 than the dealer, you win.

Where is the best place to play blackjack?

Playing blackjack in the flesh is always a bit of a buzz. Having said that, it can be daunting to go into a real casino and when you're still learning the ropes of how to play blackjack. So if you're just starting out, we'd recommend trying an online casino like bet365. As well as having low stakes tables available, always a good thing for newbies, you can also clearly see the value of your hand and what actions are available to you. That means you won't be caught out in a live setting making a simple mistake. And if you're already a seasoned blackjack player, you can always try out the higher stakes tables, the Live Casino streaming options and much more. It also goes without saying, that it is extremely convenient too! All you need is a laptop or a smartphone and you're good to go.

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