Whether you know this simple but highly entertaining card game as Blackjack, 21, or Pontoon, the chances are high that you’ve played at least once in your life. The most widely played casino banking game in the world, Blackjack has become synonymous with the glitz and glamour of the casino, while the contentious act of card counting in the game has been dramatized in countless Hollywood releases. Readers will likely have some understanding of the basics of the game. However, many will be unaware of the more complex strategies that can be employed to increase their chances of success at the table. Here, let’s start from the beginning and lay out all you need to know to enhance your skills and transform from a novice to a pro.

Basic rules

When compared to many other casino card games, the concept of Blackjack is incredibly straightforward. The basic premise of the game is for the players at the table to make a hand that beats the dealer’s hand – the only caveat being that the hand cannot exceed a total value of 21. If a player exceeds 21, they go bust and lose the game. To understand how to make sure you don’t bust out, a guide to Blackjack card values is helpful:

• Number cards – the value of all number cards (2 through to 10) corresponds to the number on the face of each card. For example, the two of hearts will have a value of 2.

• Face cards – the Jack, Queen, and King all have a value of 10.

• Ace – the ace has two possible values dependent on which better benefits the current hand of the player. An ace can have a value of 1 or 11.

Game run-through

Now the values of the cards are understood, let’s run through a game:

1. If playing for money, the first thing players will do is place their bets into the betting circle on the table.

• After bets have been placed, the dealer then deals each player at the table two cards, as well as dealing two for himself – one card face up and the other face down.

• At this point, each player must make a decision. Do they:
• – Hit – take another card and increase their current total.
• – Stand – if a player is happy with their total, they can pass on an extra card and end their turn.
• – Double down – if a hand looks strong but requires an additional card, a player may choose to double their bet before being dealt an extra card and standing.
• – Split – if a player happens to be dealt a pair, they may choose to increase their wager, and in turn, the dealer will split their cards into two hands. This can also be done with differing face cards, such as a Queen and King, as they have the same value.

• Once all the players have made their move, the dealer will then reveal their face-down card. If their total value is below 17, they must continue hitting until at least 17 is reached. If their total is 17 or higher, they must stand.

Therefore, a player wins either if they have a total higher than that of the dealer or if the dealer exceeds 21. If a player is dealt an Ace plus a card with a value of 10, otherwise known as a Blackjack hand, they will also win so long as the dealer does not also have a Blackjack.  

Strategies to employ

As with all types of games, from the simplest card games all the way to complex video games like Elden Ring and Dark Souls, having an effective strategy is essential for maximizing your chances of success. Blackjack is no different, with experienced players employing several strategies when at the table.

If dealt a pair of Aces or eights, players should opt to split their hand. The value of two aces is 12, which is a weak hand in Blackjack; however, by splitting up the aces, a player can transform one weak hand into two potentially strong hands. With a high chance of drawing a card with a value of 10, a total of 21 can be achieved. Similarly, the value of two eights is 16, which is widely seen as the worst total in the game due to it being hard to improve without risking bust. By splitting the eights up, a player gets the chance to start fresh and try and build a good hand with less risk.

Knowing when to double down is also a key aspect of the game, providing the player with the potential for larger winnings. The technique is risky, however, and should only really be used with certain hands. If a player has a total of 11, they have a very high chance of hitting 21, with only one card, the Ace, causing them to bust. In this scenario, choosing to double down would be advantageous. In the same vein, a total of 10 would give a player a high probability of achieving 20, which would be a strong hand. If the dealer has a low-value face-up card, the edge swings toward the player, so doubling down would be a suitable move.

If a player has a low-value hand (8 or less), they should always consider hitting. At this value, there is no chance they can bust, and with such a low value, it is very unlikely they will win the game. Alternatively, a player should stand if their hand is 17 or higher. At this value, it is unlikely to increase without busting, so players should stand and hope the dealer’s hand is worse.

Ultimately, Blackjack is a game of math, and so having an understanding of the probabilities involved in certain scenarios is the best route to success on the table. And while it may first seem daunting, concentration and plenty of practice will allow anyone to gain the skills required. Remember these tips the next time you play.