Virtual blackjack has come a long way since the early days of the Internet. When it was first introduced in the latter half of the 1990s, blackjack platforms tended to adopt a rather bare-bones design, largely because of limited computing power. Times have undoubtedly changed.
Whether referring to the bright neon overtones that have recently enjoyed a comeback, mobile-responsive website designs, or live dealer blackjack tables, there’s a lot that new players need to wrap their heads around. That is why understanding the basics is the first step toward building a solid game plan from the start. Let’s take a look at the fundamentals of blackjack before discussing a handful of tried-and-tested strategies.
What’s the “Deal” with Blackjack?
One reason blackjack continues to attract a wide range of players is its apparent simplicity. The theory is simple, and here’s a quick breakdown:
- The player will place a wager.
- They then receive two face-up cards.
- The dealer is dealt one face-up card, and another face-down card (the hole card).
- The goal is to create a hand valued as close as possible to 21 without exceeding this limit.
Now the value of the cards becomes crucial. Number cards (from 1 to 9) keep their original values. Face cards (K, Q, and J) are valued at 10. An ace can be valued at either 1 or 11 (depending on how many points are needed).
Note that if a player is dealt a 21 on the first two cards (an ace and a face card), this is called a natural blackjack. In the event that the dealer also hits a natural blackjack, a “push” will occur, and the original wager is returned to the player.
What if no one has a natural blackjack? This is actually a more common scenario. The player must evaluate his or her visible hand (the value of the two cards) against the one card displayed by the dealer. Here are the possible options:
- Ask for another card so the total value comes as close to 21 as possible. This is known as a hit.
- To keep the two existing cards (to stand).
- To take one more card while doubling the initial bet (doubling down)
- To receive two new cards if your first two cards are a pair. This creates an additional hand and is known as a split.
Let’s now assume that you were originally dealt a 3, and a 9. In this case you would be likely to hit. If you receive a 6, the best move is to stand (your hand is 20). The dealer will then turn over the face-down card. If the value of his or her hand is 16 or less, they must hit. If it exceeds 17, they must stand. In other words, the dealer has very limited options.
Should the value of your hand be higher than the dealer’s (without exceeding 21), you win the round. You lose if it is lower, and in the event of a tie, your bet will be returned.
Blackjack Payouts: A Closer Look
Although the layout of an online blackjack table will vary between providers, the payouts tend to remain straightforward. We can use a table to briefly describe the potential outcomes:
- If your hand is higher than the dealer, you will be paid out 1:1 (known as “even money”)
- If you receive a natural blackjack when the first two cards are dealt, you enjoy a 3:2 payout.
- If you choose a card that causes your hand to rise above 21, you bust, and the initial wager is forfeited.
- Should a push occur, neither party wins, and your money is returned.
Clarify a push before moving on. Imagine that a player receives a king and a queen when being dealt the first two cards. The dealer receives a face-up 10 and a face-down jack. In this scenario, both hands are valued at 20. If you wagered €50, you get your money back. You did not enjoy a profit, and did not incur a loss.
A Game of Statistics
Blackjack may appear to be deceptively simple at first glance, but there is much more than meets the eye. Of course, every player is searching for a strategy that will maximize his or her chances of walking away with a winning hand. The issue here is that randomness plays a significant role. However, playing style also matters. This is when odds and statistics can prove their importance.
A statistical analysis of blackjack has found that the so-called “Goldilocks zone” involves a threshold of 15 points (referring to the player’s hand). In this scenario, the chance of a loss is 8.57%, a relatively conservative figure. In other words, players who create a hand worth 15 points will generally choose to stand (as opposed to hit). The only remaining question is how much the dealer’s hole card is worth.
What About Card Counting?
As this topic has been featured in many articles, it deserves a bit of attention before concluding. In traditional forms of blackjack (as well as live online dealer games), it may be possible to count the cards being dealt. However, this strategy is not likely to be very effective. Many blackjack tables use multiple decks, making predictions much more difficult. Furthermore, automated blackjack often uses digital algorithms that continually shuffle the cards. While this ensures provably fair gameplay, it all but eliminates the usefulness of card counting.
Now we can see why blackjack appeals to so many players. While the fundamentals are relatively straightforward, appreciating the nuances takes time. This is when patience becomes a virtue, and why the best players have learned to enjoy the process.
