How To Play Blackjack: A Step-By-Step Guide
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Blackjack is a popular casino game that first made its debut in France in the 1700s. Having stood the test of time, it’s rare that you’ll find a modern-day casino without the classic table game at its centre.
Gameplay is fairly simple, and whether you choose to playBlackjack online at Paddy Power Games, or at a land-based establishment, you’re bound to want to know just what makes this game so great. So, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you brush up on your skills and learn how to play the brilliant game of Blackjack.
Step 1: Placing your bets
The first step to playing Blackjack, much like many casino games, is placing your bet. Each table will have different minimum and maximum bet requirements, so it’s important to check this out before you start playing. You can place any bet within the minimum and maximum requirements.
Step 2: Your first cards
Secondly, you’ll get two cards dealt to you. The dealer will show one of his cards to you. If you’re playing virtual Blackjack online, then a Random Number Generator (RNG) will dish you out two cards.
Step 3: Side bets
Now you can see your cards, you’ll have the option to place a side bet. You can place side bets on things such as colours and pairs, and it can be a great way to further boost your bankroll.
A common side bet is known as insurance, and this will be offered if the dealer’s first card is an Ace. Whilst taking insurance might sound tempting, we recommend not taking it as it costs half of your original wager and pays 2 to 1. When insurance is offered, it’s because the dealer’s first card provides them with a 30.77% chance of getting Blackjack. Therefore, the math shows that taking insurance isn’t always the best bet.
Step 4: When to ‘hit’
When you decide to ‘hit’, you’ll get dealt more cards to increase the value of your hand. If your hand goes over the value of 21, you’ll go bust and lose all your money.But, if you have a lower-value starting hand, hitting could be a great way to get your total closer to 21 in the hopes of bagging that win.
Step 5: When to ‘stand’
When you’re happy with your hand and are ready to play, you’ll ‘stand’.
Step 6: Analyse the dealer’s hand
Once you’ve confirmed that you’re ready to play your hand, you’ll want to understand your opponent’s hand. You will have already seen their first card, so now you’ll get to see the dealer’s entire hand. At most online casino sites, the dealer won’t hit if they have a value of 16 or 17, so it’s great to bear this in mind. If you have a value higher than this, then you have a pretty good chance of winning this round.
Step 7: Who will win?
Finally, the outcome of the round is revealed. If the value of the cards in your hand are higher than the dealers, or are equal to 21, then you’ll win. If the value of your hand is lower than the dealers or over 21, then you’ll lose, and the bets you placed will go to the dealer.
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If you fancy putting your newfound knowledge into action, then you can play Blackjack at both an online and land-based casinos. And, whilst nothing quite beats adding cash into the mix, many online casinos offer demo modes so you can practice gameplay without having to wager any real-money.
So, do you think you have what it takes to become brilliant at Blackjack?
