Secrets and Strategies for Blackjack Rules in UK Casinos
If you want to know, how to play blackjack in the UK, you need to first familiarize yourself with the consistent rules of blackjack in the UK. A) The game is usually played with 4-6 decks. However, some casinos prefer playing with 8. Blackjack UK is a version of the popular card game we all know and love that varies slightly from the standard Las Vegas strip rules. If you decide to give it a go, you won’t have to embrace a huge change from your typical set of rules, but you will surely get that rush from trying something new and exciting. This is the modern version of crazy eights, or knock knock, with as many wild cards as are physically possible. Deal five cards each, or seven if there are only three or four of you. Blackjack Rules. To beat the dealer by having a higher card total without going over 21. 2 to 10 = Face Value.
Are you ready to play some blackjack? Whether you are preparing on visiting a land-based gambling facility or you want to stay in your home and play online, you have to get to know the game. Here are the tips and tricks experts have when it comes to blackjack rules in UK casinos.
Basic Blackjack Rules in the UK
When it comes to the default variation of blackjack, the rules are the same as anywhere else in the world. If you ever played the game with your friends, you will know the basic goals. The objective is to reach the value of 21 or as close as possible to 21 with the cards in your hands, but without exceeding it or you get “busted” and lose.
Here is how the process unfolds in an online casino:
- Place wagers. Before the round even starts, players should place bets. Make sure to check the minimum and the maximum wagers allowed at your table and place accordingly. In land-based casinos, you will find a marked field to place chips in front of you.
- Dealing time. The dealer will start dealing the cards from his left-hand side. Each player plays only against the dealer, which is why they should turn their cards up to be revealed publicly. The dealer reserves the right to keep one card face down.
- Decision making. Each player can now choose to hit (ask for another card) or stand (do not take any extra cards).
- Result. The dealer takes more cards if necessary, and it is time to compare the hand strength. The one closer to 21 wins or the hand is considered a “push,” which gets the player their chips back.
Blackjack Basic Strategy UK Players Use
The strategy you apply may vary depending on whether you play in a land-based facility or an online casino. The truth is that you have more options in gambling facilities because you may learn how to count cards and rely on statistics to improve the chances of winning.
If you play online, you can also count on probability playing in your favor. You can find many blackjack strategy charts online that recommend the best move depending on the strength of cards in your hand. These tables strictly reveal what move has the highest chance of taking you to win the round.
However, charts are a long-term strategy. They might not (and won’t) work every time, but if you stick to the same approach, your balance should be positive in the long run.
Every online casino can boast with having blackjack card game today: blackjack is believed to be the famous casino game, which has a lot of admirers and random players, who want to try out their skills at card counting. This game is famous due to many reasons and one them is high payouts, which can make you rich just in one night! As other games, which do not offer jackpot, blackjack is very profitable in long running and if you play just a couple of rounds, you will not be able to appreciate all possibilities which this game can provide you with.
Only a professional blackjack player or at least player with experience in gambling can understand all of the attractive sides of this game. Unlike many of other games presented online, blackjack has a plenty of them. And of course, one of the most important is possibility to influence the result of the round which is unavailable in slot machines, american roulette online and baccarat.
Besides, blackjack has a lot of variations, many strategies and systems to win it and a big group of blackjack personalities who have done a lot for blackjack's development! Although it is still open for investigations and bringing something new. Any player can create his own method of tracking cards and it this way to achieve not only bigger winnings, but also fame and popularity in gambling circles.
Playing blackjack may seem a little bit complicated, but a talented player will make the best out of it. If you know this game – just try out this casino to play online blackjack, but if you are not sure that your knowledge is enough to beat the dealer – start to learn this game with BlackjackOnlineGuru.com website. Of course, knowledge of game theory won’t be enough to become a good gambler. That’s why we recommend players to choose some of the free games. You should visit http://casinosonline4real.com/ if you are looking to play blackjack online, free based. If you think that blackjack is not the game you are looking for, you can also find useful information about other casino games like online pokies or roulette.
In order to start learning blackjack, you should keep reading our website. Here you will find all the aspects of blackjack an average gambler should know for successful play: rules, tips, variations, basic strategy and much more! All information is represented in the way, which will be easy understood by all categories of players, even those, who just start to play blackjack at live or online casinos. Keep reading and be ready for big winnings! It’s your time to become a winner now so don’t miss it!
To understand all game principles properly, we recommend that you visit secret trusted guides, watch some educational videos and read several gambling books. That will help you to get the total idea of online gambling and most working ways to implement when you are playing blackjack at online casino.
So what of the gambling guides you need to pay attention at if you want to play like a pro? First of all they are sites with information pages, which contain tips and hints on blackjack gambling and this site is one of that blackjack guides. Besides, you have to find casinos where you will be able to play some games. There are lots of them, but pay attention to the mentioned below. If you have problems with your gambling or something remains hardly understandable for you, just contact with the support team of the casinos you play at. In terms of customer service Australian online casino sites have helpful agents that are trained and skilled and are on call at all hours of the day and night. Other online gambling houses also offer full time support, just make sure, that you can get it by some of the most used methods: via phone, mail, Skype or even chat.
Online casino can also be a god guide for those who want to understand game of blackjack as only there you can play this game for real money or for free! Nothing makes your gambling skills better than a practice and online casino is the best way to get it. When you need answers about blackjack online, online casinos usually ensure there is someone there to attend to all your questions and concerns whenever you might have them. We are sure that all your problems will be solved very quickly and you will be able to enjoy your gambling again.
Besides, at online casino you may find a lot of other games to enjoy. You'll find multiple roulette alternatives at the online casino including American and European online roulette. American roulette is played with 38 pockets and European roulette has a 37 pocket wheel. Betting strategies are similar for both variations so you can try to play both of the games.
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Next to Poker, Blackjack is arguably one of the most popular card games to play at a casino, at home and even online. On this page you can find out how to play blackjack in a casino, the rules of the game and much more.
Blackjack is popular due to its engaging yet simple rules and unlike other casino games it is a game where you can actually use your knowledge and experience to increase your chances of winning.
Blackjack rules are identical whether you play at a casino in the UK, in Canada, in USA, in China or anywhere else in the world.
Even if you have never played blackjack at a casino before, you can learn to play this game within a few minutes. The blackjack rules are simple and all you need to do is practice!
How to Play Blackjack – A Simple Guide to the Rules of the Game
To help you out, we’ve put together this ultimate step-by-step guide on how to play Blackjack, and we’ll also give you a couple of tips to help you maximize your chances of winning.
Here is a video summary of this article from our YouTube Channel to get an idea of what we are discussing on this page.
Remember, this is a simple guide on how to play Blackjack at a casino table whether this is online or a land based casino.
If you are familiar with the game then we recommend going straight to our dedicated live blackjack online page. On that page you can find the different blackjack tables online, some advanced tips and the best UK live casinos that you can play this game!
Blackjack Rules UK and Worldwide
Here is a summary list with the basic Blackjack Rules:
Time needed: 1 minute.
Blackjack Rules List
- Blackjack can be played with one to eight standard 52-card decks
The amount of decks will depend on the table you choose to play and the place you play (Land based Casino, Online Casino, the type of blackjack table etc).
- Card values are face value from 2 to 9, Aces count as 1 or 11. 10 and face cards count as 10.
- If the dealer has an ace showing, then they have to offer a side bet called “insurance”
Insurance can be useful in the case that the live dealer draws a blackjack. In that case you get some of your initial stake back.
- The players options after getting their cards are : Stand, Hit, Split, Double Up and Surrender (in some tables)
Every table will offer the first 4 options but Surrender is something that only specific tables will have. These tables are usually called Blackjack Surrender so they are easy to spot.
- The higher point total between the player and dealer wins.
Your aim is to get a higher total with your cards compared to the live dealers cards.
- If the dealer goes bust (total points of over 21) then any players that are still in the game win
The dealer will bust from time to time and you will win if you are still in the game (so you haven’t gone bust as well).
- A winning hand in Blackjack pays even money, except a winning blackjack which usually pays 3 to 2
Blackjack payouts are usually visible on the blackjack table
If you want to learn a bit more about blackjack including more details about the rules of the game then keep reading!
Blackjack Rules Explained
The Basics
Blackjack is a fairly simple game that doesn’t take much to start learning how to play.
You can play blackjack at home with your friends, at your local casino, or try your luck online.
The game is also known as “21” in some cases and requires at least two players.
Although it’s primarily a casino game, it can still be simplified and played by younger audiences (in which case it’s often referred to as 21 and not Blackjack).
The aim of the game of blackjack is to get a better hand than the dealer.
What do we mean by a better hand?
If the dealer has a total of 17 then you should have 18 or above to win! Its that simple.
The live blackjack option
Uk Casino Blackjack Rules
When it comes to online blackjack there is the additional option of live blackjack online. In this version players can enjoy this casino game with real live dealers.
There is live streaming from a studio or a land based casino in some cases and players can interact with the live dealer. Just like if you are on a land based casino.
Majority of the live blackjack tables are streamed from Latvia. This is where two of biggest live casino software providers, Evolution Gaming and Playtech have their studios.
However, there are a number of Blackjack tables that are streamed from the UK, London in particular.
The Rules of Blackjack are obviously the same regardless the location.
Let’s have a look at the blackjack tables layout and the cards
Blackjack Tables
There are various types of Blackjack tables depending on where you play.
There are tables with just one seat (usually the online blackjack) and tables with 5 and 7 seats that players can find in online live casinos and land based casinos.
The layout of the blackjack table is the same regardless if you play online or offline.
The type of the blackjack table, the shoe with the cards, the payouts and any side bets that are available are displayed on the table.
The blackjack table rules are the same on every table regardless if you play on a land based casino or online.
Blackjack Cards
Blackjack uses a standard deck of cards minus the joker cards.
When you play at a casino, it’s typical to see four, six or even eight decks shuffled into one large pile.
Blackjack Rules Uk
The pile is then placed in a box known as a shoe which allows the dealer to easily remove one card at a time face-down.
In online games, the box is also used but the card passes a scanner to electronically record the card drawn so that it can display in a gaming interface on the website.
For smaller tables, two decks of cards may be used although this is very rare to find in casinos.
Face Card Values in Blackjack
This is the most important part that new players of this game need to get familiar with.
Cards are worth their value with face cards being worth 10.
Jack, Queen, King are also worth 10.
Aces are worth either 1 or 11 depending on the player’s choice.
There are no other special rules regarding the cards.
How to play Blackjack: Step by Step
Now that you know the basics about the blackjack table and the blackjack cards, lets have a look at how you actually play this game.
Step 1: Get your cards. Each player (including the dealer) is given two cards at the start of the game either face-down or face-up depending on the style of game.
In larger casino games where cards are dealt from a shoe, cards are dealt face-up and players are not allowed to touch them.
In a more private or smaller game, cards are dealt from the hand and will be face-down. Players can touch them and view them how they see fit.
Step 2: Make a decision. Players now have their cards and they can see one of the dealers card as well. So they can now make a decision of how to proceed.
This will depend on value of their cards and there will be the options of Hit, Stand, taking Insurance, Double Up or Split.
Let’s have a look at these options in a bit more detail.
Hit or Stand
Hit in blackjack is when you request another card from the dealer when it’s your turn.
The optimal time to hit depends on the strategies that you’re using, but the goal is to get closer to 21 without going under or too high.
There’s no real limit to the number of cards you can ask for but you should always be careful of how far you can push it before you go bust.
Remember that if you or the dealer go over 21, then you automatically loose.
Stand in Blackjack is when you are happy with your cards and you dont want another card
Once the players are happy with their hands, the dealer will proceed to play the game. The dealer will then compare their cards to each player and resolve games accordingly.
Split Pairs
Splitting is an option when the first two cards you are given have the same value. You can split your pairs to treat them as separate hands, meaning you effectively play twice.
This does mean that you’ll need to double your bet as both cards need to have the equivalent of your first bet. You will play your left hand first then once you are satisfied, you will play the right hand.
If both your cards are aces, you only receive one card for each ace and cannot take another. If a 10-card is paired with one of those aces, then the payout will be the same as a regular hand and does not take on the bonus of a blackjack.
Great care needs to betaken when splitting. Splitting a pair of aces is almost always agood move and splitting 8s can also work. Ten-cards should not besplit and neither should a pair of 5s because they are effectively a10, making it a valuable starting value.
Insurance in Blackjack
Before you make any decisions regarding your cards, you may have the choice of placing an insurance bet. Insurance in blackjack is a type of side bet that is often available if the healer’s first card is an Ace.
This means that you’ll place a bet that is half the value of your original bet. If the dealer reveals their cards and there is no blackjack, you will lose your insurance bet and play as normal.
When this happens, there’s a possibility of the dealer having blackjack which means they will win.
However, if the dealer has a blackjack, then you will lose your regular bet and lose the hand but you will win the insurance bet.
An insurance bet should be seen as a side bet if you‘re confident that the dealer has blackjack, otherwise, it’s best not to place an insurance bet.
Read more about blackjack insurance.
Double-Down
If your cards total 9, 10 or 11 then you have the option of doubling your bet, but you are only given one more card which is given face-down until all bets are settled.
As a basic rule of thumb, having 11 means you should always double-down. At 10, you should double-down unless the dealer has an ace or 10-card. At 9, you should only double-down if the dealer has a small initial card such as a 6 or lower.
3 scenarios of a blackjack hand
Player wins with a 21
Dealer has an 18 but player has a 21 which not only is a better hand but its a blackjack and pays out 3 to 2 instead of 1 to 1!
Dealer goes bust and Player Wins
In this scenario player has a total of 20 which is a great hand anyway. Dealer has 24 and goes bust. Note that dealer has to stand on 17 and has to tale another card if the have below 17.
Dealer wins with a better hand
If the dealer has a better hand and they dont go over 21, then the dealer wins. In this case dealer has 18 and Player 15.
More advanced Blackjack card games rules
Now that you have mastered the basic rules of the game, let’s have a look at some more complicated features. In this section, we’re going to go in-depth with concepts within Blackjack to help you understand the game better
Blackjack Odds and Payouts
Blackjack is a great casino game and a lot of fun. But how much can you win in blackjack? Let’s have a look at odds and payouts.
- If you beat the dealer, you gain your bet back plus whatever you yet, so you essentially win with a payout of 1:1.
For example if you bet £5, you win another £5 and receive your bet back, totaling £10.
- If you win with a blackjack which is when your first 2 cards equal 21, you’re immediately paid out 3:2.
For example if you bet £5, you’ll get the bet plus £7.50, resulting in £12.50.
- If you and the dealer have the same number, then it will result in a push and you will receive your money back.
Table limits determine the minimum and maximum amount that you can bet on one hand. You must bet in order to be counted as in the current game.
We don’t recommend that you go too high with your bets or else you will quickly lose all of your funds. Instead, we suggest aiming to make lower bets so that you can play more hands and have a better chance of winning.
Sitting Out
If you decide not to play then you are free to sit out one or two games to go toilet or answer a call. However, you cannot hold a table for too long if you are at a casino.
When you’re using an online casino, your spot will be frozen and you can rejoin but if another player takes your spot, you will not be able to join again until there is an extra space for you.
Following a strategy on Blackjack
Good blackjack players follow a strategy in order to reduce the casino house edge and increase their chances of winning.
As a general rule of thumb, you should always hit until you reach a total of 17 or more if the dealer has good cards such as a 10-card, 9 or 8.
If the dealer’s first card is low, then you should stand at 12 or higher and hope that the dealer goes bust drawing over 21.
This is because the dealer is forced to continue hitting until they reach 17 or higher.
As we have already mentioned these rules will be displayed on Blackjack tables to remind you. This means that if the dealer has 16 and you only have 12, they are forced by house rules to continue hitting, meaning there is a possibility that they will go over 21 and you will win.
They cannot see that their hand is higher than yours and stop because they will win–they must follow their own rules.
Keep in mind that theseare very basic Blackjack strategies but should hopefully help youunderstand the game and its rules a little better. You can eitherdevelop your own strategies or look at someone else’s ideas to helpyou get started.
Useful Blackjack Facts and Stats
- On average, a player will hit a blackjack every 21 hands
- You have a 31% chance to draw a 10-card.
- This means that if the dealer is showing an ace, there’s a 31% chance they have Blackjack.
- Dealers will bust around 28% of the time
- Good players can reduce the amount they bust to under 20% if they develop a strategy
- Most players will win around 48% of all the hands played, but this can be increased with the property strategy and by varying your bets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackjack Rules
Can the dealer hit on 17?In majority of tables NO. But in some tables the dealer hits on a “soft” 17
Just learn the basics and play with a bit of strategy. You can reduce the house edge significantly of you follow the blackjack strategy charts
How to win money at blackjack casinoThere is no absolute answer on this question. Blackjack is a gambling game and there is no guarantee you will win money. However, if you play with basic blackjack strategy you can reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning.
How many decks do casino use for blackjackMost casinos will use 6-8 decks for blackjack
Other interesting blackjakc pages you might want to check are counting cards and unlimited blackjack!
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