If you’re new to the world of blackjack, it might seem kind of confusing. That’s why I’m here to take you through some blackjack basics.

Look at videos of people playing blackjack and it sounds like they’re speaking a totally different language and it can be confusing to work out why they are doing what they’re doing. I get that it might look like a steep learning curve, but I’m here to tell you that once you get your head around the blackjack basics, things will be a whole lot simpler. Here’s a quick and easy run through of what you need to know.

Why is the dealer such a big deal in blackjack?

In most casino and card games, the dealer is neutral. They just dish out the cards and allow the game to play out. But it’s different in blackjack. The dealer is your opponent. Your goal is to beat the dealer while you play.

What’s the significance of 21 in blackjack?

A key thing you’ve got to know in blackjack basics is that the main aim of the game is to get to 21 before the dealer or to get closer than the dealer does. But you can’t go over 21 or else you lose the game. That’s why 21 is such an important number in the game of blackjack, everything revolves around it. For that reason, the game is often known as 21.

Are you a film buff? Even if you’re not yet up on your blackjack basics, you might well recognise 21 as one of those casino films you’ve been meaning to see… And yes, spoiler alert, it is about playing blackjack.

How does the game play out?

Every player, and the dealer, gets dealt one face up card when the game starts. Then everyone gets a second card. The players cards are face up, but that sneaky dealer’s card is face down. So you only know half the story when it comes to the dealer.

The next thing you need to know about blackjack basics is how the points are calculated. And that’s easy once you know how. Every number card is worth its face value. Then if you’ve got a royal, they’re worth 10 points each. Things get interesting when it comes to the Ace. It can be worth one or 11 points, making it a very useful card to have in the game of blackjack.

Once you’ve got your starting hand and have calculated your points, you can decided to take an action. And to know your blackjack basics, you’ve got to know what each of these actions are. So you can…

• Hit: get another card
• Stand: keep your hand as is
• Double down: double your bet and get another card
• Split: when you have two cards of the same value, you can create two new hands using those cards as the base

After the players take their actions, the dealer takes theirs. The start off by revealing their face down card. Then they keep taking cards until they score 17 or more. After that point, the winner is determined based on who got closer to 21.

Where can I practice the blackjack basics online?

Now that you’ve got your blackjack basics under your belt, it’s time to test out your skills. But my motto is slowly does it, especially for newbies. So I’d recommend that you try an online casino that gives you plenty of opportunities to take your own time.

That’s why bet365 is a fine choice. Whether at regular tables or Live Casino tables, you can play from pretty low stakes, which gives you lots of room to test the waters for a relatively small investment. Then when you start getting more confident, you can slowly start to play for bigger amounts and see how you get on. But remember to always stick to that gambling budget!

New to bet365? Well then there’s another good reason to sign up. Use this bet365 bonus code and get the most out of your welcome offer as you test out your blackjack basics knowledge.

Remember that you have to be of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction to gamble. In the UK and Ireland, that’s a minimum of 18 years of age. Always gamble responsibly and visit Be Gamble Aware for more tips on how to do that and guidance of how to quit gambling.

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