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Please scroll down or click here to play our free integrated Blackjack games. Remember, you don't have to sign-up to practice playing Blackjack using our free Blackjack games.
It is not difficult to learn to play Blackjack. In fact, Blackjack is one of the easiest of all casino games to learn to play. Blackjack requires only the most basic math skills. If you can add numbers ranging from 1 to 11, and count to 21, you can learn to play Blackjack!
Blackjack Game Structure
Blackjack is a game for multiple players, though none of them compete against one another. All Blackjack players are facing off with the dealer only. The amount of players that may participate in a single Blackjack table depends on the number of seats available, generally 5.
Blackjack can be played with anywhere from 1 to 8 decks of cards. Single deck Blackjack has become much more unusual these days. More common games are 4-deck, 6-deck and 8-deck Blackjack games. This not only allows the game to last longer before reshuffling is required, it is meant to discourage card counting techniques. However, no matter how many decks are used, card counting and other Blackjack Strategies never lose their effectiveness.
Card Values in Blackjack
The basic card values in Blackjack are as follows:
- Ace = 1 or 11
- Face Card = 10
- 2-10 = Face Value
We’ve written a more in-depth section on Blackjack card values that we encourage reading to learn more about the subject, including the difference between Soft and Hard hands.
Blackjack Game Play
As you take a seat at a Blackjack table, you’ll first need to place a wager before the dealer will offer you any cards. Take note of the table limits (minimum and maximum bet amounts), and place your chips in the betting circle provided. The dealer will give each player, starting on his left, and himself, one face down card. He will then deal one more face down card to each player, and a final face up card to himself.
The player will look at his own cards. Based on the value of the dealer’s face-up card, as well as his own hand, the player will choose to Hit, Stand, Split, Double Down or Surrender. The object is to achieve a hand as close to 21 as possible, without going over. The hand that is closest to 21 (player or dealer) wins. If a hand exceeds 21, it is a Bust, and automatically loses.
- Hit: To take one more card.
- Stand: To keep the current hand, taking no more cards.
- Split: To split two identical cards into two new hands (ex: 9-9 can be split, K-Q cannot). This requires another bet, equal to the first, placed on the new hand. The dealer will give each new hand a second card. The player will play out the first hand until he Stands or Busts. Then the second hand is played.
- Double Down: A player may choose to Hit once, and only once, doubling his bet at the same time. A good time to double down is when a player’s hand totals 9, 10 or 11. If a face card is dealt next, the player will have a good, high hand, more likely to win the double bet.
- Surrender: This option is available in most land-based and online casinos. To Surrender is to forfeit half of your bet, but reclaim the other half. This is generally done when a player feels they have no chance of winning the hand. Note that you may only Surrender just after receiving your two original cards. You may not Hit, Split or Double Down before Surrendering.
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Learn to Play Blackjack
The easiest, and definitely most entertaining way to learn to play Blackjack, is to practice. We’ve integrated free Blackjack games, courtesy of Bodog Casino and 888 Casino, to help you learn to play Blackjack quickly and easily.
To begin learning to play Blackjack, simply scroll down to the free Blackjack game. First, you’ll want to choose a coin denomination to wager. This is done by clicking on one of the chip sizes in the bottom right corner ($1, $5, $25, $100 or $500). You’ll start out with $1,000 in practice money. If you bet more than you meant to, click on the chips in the betting circle to remove the top chip.
When your desired bet is placed, click the Deal button next to the chip sizes in the bottom right corner. Your two cards will be dealt face up. You’ll also see the dealer’s one face up card. Choose Hit, Stand, Double, Split or Surrender from the options spanning the bottom of the screen.
More About Blackjack
If you’d like to learn more about playing Blackjack, please feel free to visit our other pages. We offer Blackjack tips and Blackjack strategies, as well as more detailed official Blackjack rules (payouts, insurance bets, etc.).
Blackjack Casinos Accepting US Players
The standalone Blackjack player is really nice for practicing the game of Blackjack for free, but if you want to play casino Blackjack online and you live in the United States, then you won't be able to play at all Internet gambling sites listed on our site.
Fortunately we have some online casinos accepting US players listed on our site, which also happen to offer online Blackjack (surprisingly).
