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People have been playing blackjack across the world for centuries. It's no wonder that crypto casinos now offer blackjack in many shapes and forms, from live dealer variants to Random Number Generator versions. This page explores how you can play blackjack with crypto, the core rules of blackjack as well as the basic blackjack strategy. You can also find blackjack game reviews to compare things like payouts and RTP to help you find the best blackjack game for you.
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Among the myriad of games that have transitioned into the digital realm of online gambling, blackjack stands out as an all-time favorite, winning players over with its blend of strategy, skill, and chance.
Crypto casinos and live casino game providers are constantly offering new ways to enjoy the ageless classic that is blackjack, with a level of privacy never before seen in the world of gambling. From the allure of anonymity and enhanced security to the promise of swift, borderless transactions, crypto casinos offer a unique and enticing proposition for blackjack enthusiasts.
This guide breaks down the fundamentals of blackjack, from understanding the basic rules and card values to mastering the basic strategy to help you maximize your enjoyment. We will also delve into the various side bets available, with explanations on how each of them works.
Whether you're a complete beginner looking to grasp the basics or an intermediate player aiming to refine your skills, this step-by-step guide will help you gain a solid understanding of how to play blackjack effectively.
The objective in Blackjack is to get a hand as close to 21 as possible, without exceeding it. You are playing against the dealer, not other players.
In Blackjack, face cards count as 10 points and all number cards are worth their face value. Aces are worth either 11 or 1 - the player can decide which one in each hand.
Not necessarily. It depends on how many cards are in your hand (the fewer the better) and on the dealer’s hand. See below for more information on this.
It is a type of bet that becomes available to players only when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. Players can then place a side bet up to half their original bet, wagering that the dealer's hole card is a 10, resulting in a blackjack for the house.
The regular payout for a winning hand in Blackjack is 1:1. The dealer pays out equal to your wagered amount, plus your original bet amount. However, the payout varies depending on both your hand and the dealer's. See below for a more detailed breakdown.
The short answer is no, but unfortunately things are not that simple. Even though there is no law prohibiting you from counting cards, it is deeply frowned upon by casinos and you may face bet limitation, account closure or a site-wide ban - much like a ban in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Let’s start with the user interface of a typical crypto blackjack game. Opening a Blackjack game in an online casino will show you the following:
The most popular version of the game is played with 6 decks of 52 cards, however you may come across versions that use anywhere between 1-8 decks. Make sure you read each game’s info page before you start playing - you should understand what you’re getting into.
Once you take a seat, the betting options will become available to you. Depending on the game, you may be able to take multiple seats at the same table. You will also see betting chips with different values, which you can click to choose your betting amount. The betting limits will vary, depending on the table. You will have a predetermined amount of time to place your bets, usually marked by a countdown timer on your screen. Then the dealer will draw cards for everyone.
The objective of the game is to score as close as possible to the number 21, without going over it.
Face cards are worth 10 points and number cards are equal to their face value, while aces can either be 1 or 11 - the player decides.
You are not playing against other players on the table, but against the dealer.
Starting clockwise, the dealer gives each player and themselves one up-facing card (for the dealer, this is known as the upcard). Another round of cards is dealt face-up for the players, but the dealer gets a down-facing card (the hole card). So, each player has 2 up-facing cards and the dealer has one up-facing card and one down-facing card at the start of the round.
When a player is dealt an Ace and a "ten-card" (a face card or 10) as their first two cards, it's called a natural or blackjack. This can play out in the following ways:
Players start from the left of the dealer and choose to "stand" (keep their current hand) or "hit" (request additional cards to reach or get closer to 21). If a player's total exceeds 21, they go "bust" and lose their bet to the dealer.
Aces combined with non-ten cards create "soft hands" allowing the ace to count as 1 or 11. For instance, a "soft 15" (Ace and 4) can be counted as 5 or 15. Players can adjust their strategy based on this flexibility, drawing cards to improve their hand or adjusting the ace's value if they bust.
Depending on your hand and the dealer’s hand, more options may become available to you:
If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, before players take their turns, they can choose to place an insurance bet, a side bet of up to half the original bet. You’re basically wagering that the dealer’s hole card is a 10-card (a face card or a 10), thus making the hand blackjack. If the dealer does get Blackjack, the hand ends and players with insurance bets win, with a payout of 2:1 on the half-amount insurance bet. Essentially, insurance bets allow you to break even for the round in case the dealer draws Blackjack.
If, however, the dealer does not get blackjack, then you lose your insurance bet and your original hand bet stands until the round is resolved.
If a player is dealt two cards of the same rank, such as two Kings (K) or two sevens (7), they have the option to split them into separate hands during their turn. To do so, the player places an additional bet equal to their original wager on the second hand. The player then plays each hand individually, starting with the left-hand side, deciding to stand or hit before proceeding to the next hand. The dealer settles each hand separately based on its outcome.
When splitting Aces, each Ace receives one additional card and no further cards can be drawn. Additionally, if a ten-card is dealt to one of these split aces, the payout is equal to the original bet (1:1), not the usual 3:2 payout for a blackjack in other situations.
Players can choose to double their bet if their initial hand totals 9, 10, or 11. They place an additional bet equal to their original wager and receive one more card face down, which remains concealed until the hand concludes.
If dealt two fives, players have the option to split the pair, double down, or proceed with their hand as usual. Importantly, dealers do not have the ability to split or double down.
Remember, you don’t have to do any of the above, they are just additional choices that become available to you under specific circumstances.
When the players finish their turns, it is now the dealer’s turn.
After dealing to all players and any optional bets have been placed, the dealer flips over their face-down card.
This process continues until the dealer's total is 17 or higher, at which point they must stand.
However, if the dealer holds an Ace that can be counted as 11 without exceeding 21, they must count it as 11 and stand. Unlike the dealer, who follows automatic rules for every play, players have the option to decide whether to draw additional cards or not.
At the end of the round, the following scenarios may transpire:
For a summary of the payouts, refer to the table below:
Main Bets | |
---|---|
Beat the dealer | 1:1 |
Insurance | 2:1 |
Blackjack | 3:2 |
Split Bet Blackjack | 1:1 |
Apart from the standard bet you place on your hand, hoping you will be the winner, you can also place side bets that predict outcomes other than whether the player or the dealer will win. Most of these can be placed before the round starts (i.e. before the cards have been dealt) and offer a significantly higher payout than the 1:1 for standard wins. Each blackjack table is different and may be using different variations, so make sure you carefully read the rules and payouts for each table individually.
A Perfect Pairs side bet predicts that your first two cards will form a mixed, colored or perfect pair:
The payouts mentioned here are indicative of what we find to be most common in major providers' games, but they are by no means fixed in stone. Make sure you check the pay table for each table you join!
21+3 are side bets which have to do with the player's first two cards combined with the dealer's face-up card, aiming to form specific poker-style hands:
This side bet predicts that the first two cards in your hand will be of the same suit. In a single-deck game it typically pays 3:1, and in a multi-deck game, it usually pays 5:2.
This side bet predicts that the first two cards in your hand will be the King and Queen of the same suit. In a single-deck game, it generally pays 10:1, while in a multi-deck game, it pays 25:1.
This simple bet predicts that the first two cards in your hand will total over or under 13, with Aces counting as one. A total of 13 typically results in a lost bet and the payout is usually 10:1.
This bet is based on how many sevens appear in your hand.
This bet predicts that the first two cards in your hand will total 20. The payouts will vary as follows:
This side bet predicts that the first two cards in your hand will form a pair. A pair of different suits, like a seven of hearts and a seven of spades, usually pays 10:1, while a pair of the same suit, such as two tens of clubs, typically pays 15:1.
This wager predicts whether the combined value or specific combination of your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard will meet certain criteria. Different combinations mean different payouts, so make sure you read each game’s payout table closely.
This bet predicts whether the rank of either of your first two cards will match the dealer’s upcard.
Unlike many other card games you will find at casinos, for example baccarat, blackjack involves a level of skill - it is not based entirely on chance.
A solid strategy can make the difference between a long and enjoyable game, or a short and dissatisfying one, so make sure you do your research and play according to your bankroll. The Blackjack basic strategy can help with this, so keep reading.
The most important thing to keep in mind is the dealer’s upcard.
For soft hands, players should continue drawing until they reach at least 18. For example, with an Ace and a 6 (soft 17), players should draw another card.
As for doubling down, the basic strategy includes:
Regarding splitting pairs, players should consider the following:
Blackjack is perhaps the most widely-played lucky card game and it comes with a very long history. This means that you can play blackjack practically everywhere and anywhere, and many distinct versions of it too. There are countless variants of blackjack available out there, both as live dealer tables or RNG variants.
If you want to explore different blackjack games, take a look at our list of crypto gambling games that allows you to filter and compare options so you can find what’s best for you. Our game reviews are also a great source of information, as you can find information on how to play each game, information about RTP, payouts and more.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a new blackjack casino, our website can help you find the best crypto casino sites through advanced filtering options and more.