Blackjack

It should be noted that this card game offers players a rather attractive advantage. Players do not play against each other, but against the dealer or the house. It only takes one player to start a game of blackjack.

Technical terms

To play and possibly win at Blackjack, here is some important information.

The objective of Blackjack: the player’s goal is to beat the dealer with a score close to 21 without exceeding this value. To do this, the player receives two cards and can draw more cards to get a higher score than the house or the bank.

Card values: an ace can be worth 1 point or 11 points. Cards 2 to 10 retain their face value, while tricks (jacks, queens and kings) are worth 10 points.

The number of players at the table: the capacity of a blackjack table varies depending on the establishment or casino. In general, a table can accommodate up to 7 seated players.

Table Components: In principle, a Blackjack table has 5 components:

• The places or 7 boxes for the players’ bets.
• The cashier, installed in front of the croupier, is used to place the chips to pay the players.
• The shoe, which is a box to put the packs of cards needed for the game. Nowadays, many casinos have replaced the shoe with Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM).
• The discard rack, which contains the cards played during the game.
• The tip slot.

How to play a game of Blackjack

After the players have placed their bets in the appropriate slots, the dealer deals two cards (face up) to each player. The dealer also receives one card face up and one face down. If the value of the two cards received by a player reaches 21, there is a blackjack. This is called a natural. The player is then paid 3 to 2 of his original bet. The other players on the table have the choice of staying, doubling, splitting, surrendering or taking insurance. On the other hand, in the case of a tie called a push, nobody wins.

Blackjack strategies

There is no denying that Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. But what is the best way to play Blackjack and maximise your chances of winning?

Is it necessary to plan a game manoeuvre?

Blackjack strategiesBlackjack is based on probability, which in turn translates into profitability. The more you strategise, the more likely you are to win. And for once giving players the opportunity to compete with the house, a good playing tactic should always be established before joining a game.

What is the basic strategy?

The aim of the basic strategy is to win as often as possible, but also to maximise your winnings. It uses statistical probabilities to calculate the best possible move under all circumstances. This basic system is based on your initial cards and those of the dealer. However, before making a decision, you should always consider the dealer’s face-up card rather than just your own.