Understanding blackjack card values is straightforward. The object of the game is to create a card total equal to 21 points. All cards received from the dealer have the following value:

- Jacks, Queens and Kings are all worth 10 points.

- Aces are worth either 1 or 11 points. Their value depends on the player’s decision.

- All other cards are valued from 2 to 10, so they have their pip value.

Up to 8 decks are used to play blackjack. All decks are shuffled together and placed in a device called a “shoe” which holds multiple decks of playing cards. Sometimes blackjack is played with only one card deck. It is called single-deck blackjack.

It’s beneficial to know how to use different blackjack strategies. Obviously, you will never get a guarantee of winning, but you may decrease the house edge. The ability to lower the house edge is one of the reasons why so many players around the world are interested in blackjack. Understanding tactics will make it easier to evaluate both yours and the dealer’s hand. Thus, you’ll put yourself in a position to make better decisions and potentially increase your chances to win. If you choose online blackjack, you will have more time to take a decision in comparison to playing in a regular casino and can also refer to strategy charts. It is another advantage of playing online blackjack. Playing the game is not about guessing, but about understanding mathematical probability.

As well as strategies that relate to what decision the player should make once their cards have been received - hit, stand, double down, split etc, there are a number of strategies that relate to wager increases and decreases. For example, the classic Martingale Betting System. After each loss the player increases their wager, whereas after each win, they return to the original wager amount. The idea of this playing style is to try to make up for losses each time you win. While the system seems logical in principle, it doesn’t necessarily work in practice.

For example, the player can reach their predetermined budget - or the betting limit for the table - before even getting a winning hand. Seen from that perspective, progressive playing is a straight way to bankruptcy. Therefore, many players prefer another type of progressive playing which is simply called the Reverse Martingale. A player increases their wager only after a win. Once again, this system is not flawless, and in practice its payoff may be doubtful. While strategy and probability plays a part, ultimately, it all depends on the player’s luck with regards to the cards they receive.

As in any other gambling game, in blackjack there are some particular moves which have commonly used names. It is necessary to learn such terms in order to be able to play smoothly both in an online casino and a land casino. Here is a recap of the terms to be aware of:

Hit – a player asks for another card. The player can continue to hit until they reach 21, go bust, or decide to stop.

Stand – a player decides not to take any more cards.

Double down – a player doubles his initial bet and takes only one more card.

Split – a can split their cards into two separate hands if the first two cards received are of the same value. The player’s total wager is doubled, with a bet of identical value to the initial bet, placed onto the second hand.

Bust – a player automatically loses when the value of his hand exceeds 21.

Insurance – a side bet which can be made in a situation when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace.

Shoe - the device that holds the card decks.

Nowadays you can be sure that gambling games offered by legal and licensed casinos are absolutely safe. Legal casinos have appropriate licenses, are heavily regulated and must meet strict rules to obtain their licenses. Thus, licensed casinos make sure that all games which they offer are legal. Therefore, your first step should not be choosing a particular game but finding a legal casino. Once you’ve found a licensed casino with a great offering of games, such as EnergyCasino, the next step is to find a blackjack game that suits your playing style and budget. There’s no need to worry about problems with games either, as games undergo frequent attestations carried out by independent auditors.

Absolutely! And playing an online game is an easier starting place than playing live in a casino, or even live blackjack. The basic premise of the game is simple and there are no special skills needed to start playing. All you need to do is learn basic rules of play, such as the options available to you and the values of cards, before you start playing. Do not forget that the object of the game is to hit the sum of 21 points, and that you lose if you exceed this sum.

Yes! No brick and mortar casino will offer you this possibility. Practically every online casino offers a free version of blackjack which is a demo version. Demo versions are available for players to test each game regardless of place and time. It is the best way to learn the rules of the game and to test the strategies which you have learnt. You do not risk money, so you can experiment with your play. Some online casinos may require you to create an account before you can play free or demo versions of games.

Progressive jackpot is very popular among players and it is also an option in blackjack. Progressive jackpot blackjack is a game where you can get not only an ordinary win but you can also make additional bets on the progressive jackpot.

It is a very simple game and the rules of play depend on the selected version of blackjack. The object of the game, however, is always the same: to collect a sum of 21 points. This sum will immediately make you a winner if you’ve been dealt a blackjack. If neither player nor dealer hits a blackjack, the winner will be the participant whose hand is the closest to the sum of 21 points without exceeding it. Reaching 22 points or more will mean immediate loss.

When a round opens, players make their bets. Each player plays against the dealer. After bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards face up to every player. Each card has its ascribed value. Cards from two to ten have their pip value. Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth ten. An ace can be worth either 11 or 1. After checking their cards, players decide on their next move. Available options include: hitting, standing, splitting or doubling. Hitting means that you take another card, whereas standing means that you take no more cards. Splitting involves creating two separate hands and is only possible in a situation when a player receives two cards of the same value. Then the player doubles his bet and must hit.

Players may hit when they feel they need to, whereas a dealer may hit up to the point when their hand totals 16 points. If the dealer’s hand is 17 or more – he needs to stand. The winner is the one whose card total is highest. If player or dealer have a sum of 21 points from their first two cards – they hit a blackjack.

Many online casinos offer a possibility to play blackjack online not only on its website as a desktop version, but also a mobile version, and in many cases also using a mobile app. Thus, you can play your favorite gambling games on your smartphone or tablet easily and comfortably. Playing blackjack on a mobile device requires an internet connection. You can play both for real money and entirely for free. When choosing an operator to gamble online, it’s worth checking whether a given online casino has a dedicated mobile app which will make playing in blackjack easier for you.

Live Blackjack is an online game with a real dealer. It is played according to the same rules as the classic game. We have a vast selection of live blackjack games for you to enjoy.