Along with roulette, blackjack is one of the most famous of all casino games thanks to many Hollywood movies and a long rich history. 
The aim of this card game is to build a hand that adds up to 21 or as close to 21 without going “bust” (going over 21). Face cards (J, Q and K´s) are worth 10, aces have a value of 1 or 11, and everything else is valued at its face value.
The Rules, General Online Blackjack Strategy Tips.
BlackJack History
Blackjack was probably invented in France. “Vingt et un” (21) was a hit in 17th Century France and was rapidly exported around the globe and to the US in particular, where it boomed in popularity due to its simplicity and high adrenaline action.
The Basics of Blackjack
If you have the same total as the dealer, that´s a push and the game is drawn. If you have an ace and a ten, or an ace and a face card (Jack ,Queen, King) you have a Blackjack and if you get this dealt to you in your first 2 cards, you win automatically and get a pay out on your bet of 3:2, (unless the dealer also has a black jack in which case it is a tie). You can “stand” (keep your existing hand and request no more cards) at any time. Different blackjack variants such as European Blackjack and Downtown Vegas will have different rules and will require different strategies to play the optimum strategy. Along with online baccarat, blackjack gives you some of the best odds you will find at a casino. There are many different variants of blackjack. The number of decks and the rules can vary by quite a bit- so the strategy on Single Deck blackjack is not going to be the same as it is on Atlantic City Blackjack for example. Always get used to the rules on our free blackjack games before you play for real.
Other Information
Insurance: this is a side bet (half your initial bet). You are insuring yourself against the dealer getting 21. You can only take out online blackjack insurance when the dealer´s initial card is 10: it´s a side bet that pays out at 2:1. In our view you should never take out insurance- just stick to the simple bets.
Double Down: You may double your first bet after you are dealt the first 2 cards, but you are only allowed one extra card. This is a decent wager if you have a strong hand intially. Check our notes on Online Blackjack strategy. In some variants like Double Exposure Blackjack, you are restricted on when you can Double Down.
Split Bet In most versions of online blackjack you can split your first two cards if they are of equal value and play them as 2 seperate hands. Each card is the start of a new hand. See our notes on the perfect blackjack strategy.
Hard Hand: You have no Ace, or you have counted the Ace as 1.
Soft Hand: You have an ace that you have counted at its higher value: 11. It is called soft, because it is flexible. you still have the option of reducing the value of the Ace.
Follow these basic rules or read our more in depth notes on blackjack strategy for individual variants: On 8 or less, always request another card, ie “hit”.
On 9, double down if the dealer has 3 – 6 otherwise hit.
On 10, double if the dealer has 2 – 9 otherwise hit.
On 11 double if the dealer has 2 – 10, or hit if dealer has an Ace.
On 12 hit if the dealer has 2 or 3, stand if the dealer has 4 – 6, otherwise hit.
On 13- 16, stand if the dealer has2 – 6, otherwise hit.
On 17 – 21: always stand rock solid!
