Blackjack Rules

Blackjack is a great game to play and pretty easy once you have a grasp of the rules and terminology. Online blackjack rules can vary from casino to casino but the basic terminology is the same.

Blackjack If you are dealt an ace and a card to the value of 10 (either a 10 or a picture card) this is called a blackjack. This hand will win you the round, unless the dealer also has a blackjack and it becomes a push (a tie). This hand will pay out odds of 3-2 as opposed to a non blackjack win which pays out even money.

Hit – take another card.

Stand – take no more cards.

Double down after the dealer has dealt your hand you may have the option to double your bet. Most online blackjack rooms allow this when the value of the first 2 cards is 9, 10 or 11. If you choose to double down the dealer will give you one more card and then play their own hand.

Splitting the player can double the wager and split the cards if they are dealt 2 cards of the same value creating a new hand Some online blackjack rooms allow the player to re-split if another same value card is dealt Some special rules apply to splitting aces. You are only dealt one more card on each hand and if you receive a 10 value card it is not considered blackjack.

Insurance – if the dealers upturned hand is an ace you may be offered "insurance". The cost of this is half your original bet and if the dealer has a blackjack you are paid 2-1. If the dealer does not have a blackjack you lose the insurance bet.

Surrender – some casinos may offer this option although nowadays it is not commonly seen. This is where the player may forfeit half of their wager money and give up the hand.

The rules of online blackjack will vary so before you begin to play, check which casinos offer which rules and play a few hands in the free mode before you start gambling. This will save you money in the long run and give you ample practice.