Blackjack (21) is a card game that is played for money in casinos all over the world. It is the most popular casino game in the USA and many other countries.
The card game is characterized by the fact that players can exert a lot of influence on the course of the game. Blackjack also offers the best odds of all casino games.
The Black Jack Rules form the basis of the game.
With the optimal Black Jack Strategy we gain more!
With these Black Jack Tips we improve our chances of winning!
If you want to win money at blackjack in the long run, you have to Learn to count cards!
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What's blackjack?
Black Jack is a card game played for money in casinos.
Blackjack became popular worldwide with the proliferation of casinos and the growth of Las Vegas. It is the most played casino game in the USA.
What many people don't know: The official name of the card game is "21" (Twenty-One). However, the name for the best card combination is predominantly used as a synonym for the card game.
A variant of today's blackjack was already being played in European royal houses in the 18th century. The game Vingt-et-un (French for 21) is considered the original form of blackjack.
In Germany, 17 and 4 has been developed for private game nights, which is similar to blackjack, but without a fixed dealer.
Numerous mathematicians researched a winning system in the 1960s and finally developed a method to increase the odds using mathematical probability.
For this reason, blackjack is a special case among games of chance, because the odds of winning change to the game's advantage with increasing skill and ability.
Over time, more and more mathematicians discovered the game for themselves. The legendary MIT team at Havard University in Boston (Massachusetts, USA) became particularly well known. Numerous articles and books have been written about this group of students. One of them was made into a movie in 2008 under the title "21" with Lawrence Fishburn and Kevin Spacey.
A warning up front: it is very difficult to win anything at blackjack in the long term. It takes a lot of practice and experience.
Almost all websites on the subject of blackjack provide one-sided information and create false expectations of winning among readers.
Blackjack rules simply explained
Blackjack may seem complicated at first glance. However, if you spend a few minutes with it, you will quickly become enthusiastic and realize that it is not that difficult.
TABLE
A standard blackjack table has the shape of a semicircle. The dealer (croupier) sits on the straight side. He runs the game. This includes shuffling and dealing the cards as well as paying out the winnings.
Up to seven players sit opposite each other in a semi-circle. Each player has a box in which they place their bets for the next round.
Once the bets have been placed, the dealer deals two cards to each player. These two cards are called a "hand". The dealer first deals one card face up so that everyone can see it. The player sitting to the left of the dealer at "first base" is the first to receive a card. Then everyone else in clockwise order.
If each player has a card, the dealer himself receives a card face up. This is why this card is referred to as an "up card".
Each player then receives the second card in the same clockwise order as before to complete their hand.
The dealer receives the last card and places it face down (with the card value facing down) next to his first card. This second card of the dealer is therefore called a "hole card". The literal translation of this could be "hole card" or "cave card". What is meant, however, is the fact that you cannot see the value of this hole card.
CARDS
Black Jack cards are American cards with 52 hands per deck. Compared to a French deck of cards, which is used in Skat, for example, the cards differ in Quantity, imprint and dimension.
While only 32 cards are used in the French deck, 52 are used in the American deck, where the card values 2, 3, 4 and 5 are added four times each - in the suits of hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds.
The so-called court cards (face cards) are also called something else. The "Jack" is the "Jack" in the American card game. The "Queen" is the "Queen" and the "King" is the "King".
The playing cards also have different dimensions to the French playing cards. The French cards are slightly longer and not as wide.
- French cards: Length: 83mm / Width: 51 mm
- Black Jack cards: length 80mm / width: 55 mm
CARD VALUES
The card values correspond exactly to the number printed on them. All face cards (Jack, Queen, King) have the value 10.
The ace has a value of either 1 or 11, depending on which is more advantageous for the player.
If the player has a soft hand (with an ace) and draws another card with which he would overbuy, the ace is automatically counted as 1.
OPTIONS
Once all the cards have been dealt, it is the turn of the first player to the left of the dealer. He has various game options with which he can decide whether to win or lose. This makes blackjack an interactive game in which you can intervene in the action. Depending on which decision you make, you have a greater or lesser chance of winning.
ALL OPTIONS AT A GLANCE
- Stand still / Stand
- Draw card / Hit
- Double Down: Double the bet
- Split pairs into two hands / Split
- Surrender at half the stake / Surrender
- Insurance against blackjack of the dealer
Hit or Stand: Draw a card or stand still
After the two cards are dealt, the player can decide whether to stand with this hand or draw another card.
In Black Jack, the main objective is to have more points than the dealer with two or more cards. You are allowed to use the maximum score of 21 must not be exceeded. If a player has more than 21, he automatically loses his bet, regardless of what the dealer has. This is called "Bust" or "overbought" in German
The player can reach the maximum score of 21 with two cards. This is made up of an ace (11 points) and a ten-value card (10, Jack, Queen or King). If a player has this combination in his first two cards, this is called a "blackjack" or "Natural 21".
With a "Black Jack", the player wins immediately and receives a prize in the Payout ratio ("payout") 3:2. This means: in addition to your stake, you receive the stake multiplied by 1.5 as a prize. For example, if you have bet 10 euros and get a blackjack, you get back the stake of 10 euros together with the winnings of 15 euros.
Double Down: Double the bet
In some situations, you can also double the bet on your hand. When you should use this option, you can find out in the Black Jack Strategy Table read up.
What many people don't know: One may also use a so-called Soft Hand double. A soft hand is any hand with an ace. The ace can either count as 11 or, if you take a third card, as 1. As there is no risk of "overbuying" here, soft hands offer good opportunities to double your stake.
Split: Share couples
If you receive a pair consisting of two cards of the same value as your starting hand, you have the option of splitting this pair and continuing to play two hands at the same time. To do this, you must place a second bet equal to the original bet and receive a second card for each hand.
If you split a pair of aces, you only receive one card and no longer have any decision-making power. The next player then has a direct turn.
With any other split pair, the usual options for each of the two hands: Draw a card, stand and - in most casinos - even double down.
If you receive another pair in one of the two hands (or both) after splitting a pair, you can split it again. This allows you to play up to four hands at the same time. However, you must also place an additional bet for each split hand.
Example for sharing couples:
The dealer deals us a pair of eights. We split this pair and place a second bet. The dealer splits the pair into two hands and we have an 8 on the left and an 8 on the right. For every 8, we now receive a second card from the dealer. For example, we have an 8 and a 10 in the left hand, which makes 18. This leaves us standing and we don't take another card.
In the right hand we have an 8 and a 3, which makes 11 and is a good opportunity to double down. So we place another bet to double down and get a third card. This is a 10 and we have 21.
The dealer has 20, so we lose the bet on the left hand with 18, but we win the right hand with the doubled bet, making a total profit.
Versicherung (Insurance)
As a player, you can place an insurance bet to protect yourself against the loss of a dealer's blackjack.
An insurance bet is only possible if the dealer has a ten-value card as an up card. So if the dealer shows a 10, a Jack (J), a Queen (Q) or a King (K), he asks the players whether they want to take out insurance.
The player can then place another bet equal to the amount of the first bet on the semi-circle in front of him, on which "Insurance" is written.
If the dealer really has a blackjack, the player wins the insurance bet at a ratio of 2:1, but loses his original bet.
So you come out plus-minus-zero and lose nothing.
Without insurance, the player would lose his bet if the dealer also had a blackjack.
However, if the dealer does not have a blackjack, the insurance bet is lost. The original bet can also be lost if you score fewer points than the dealer in this round or if you bust with more than 21 points.
Surrender.
Surrender means "to give up". This option is not available in all casinos. Many blackjack beginners are not even aware of this option or do not know when it makes sense to surrender their hand.
If you do Surrender correctly, this ensures that you lose less in disadvantageous situations.
Suppose the dealer has a very strong up-card like ace or 10, while you yourself have the ungrateful 15 or 16.
In casinos without Surrender, you have very low odds of winning under 30% in this situation.
Of course, as a math leaguer, you can hope that you draw a good card and win, but individual strokes of luck have no chance in the long term and you lose a lot of money in these situations, regardless of whether you draw another card (recommended according to the blackjack strategy table) or don't draw any more cards out of fear and stay with a weak hand like 15 or 16.
However, if surrender is allowed in the casino, you can give up your hand and get half of the stake back. So you "only" lose 50% of your stake, instead of almost 70% as is statistically inevitable in the long term.
Use Surrender when facing a dealer's ten-value card at 15 or 16 and save money!
If you don't know whether surrender is allowed in a particular casino, simply say it out loud to the dealer in the situation described and draw an imaginary line under your cards with your index finger.
If the dealer does not know what you mean, surrender is probably not allowed. In the best case scenario, however, you will get half of your stake back, which you would otherwise lose completely in most cases.
Where can you play blackjack?
Black Jack is a card game that is only offered in state-controlled casinos in Germany and may only be played for money there.
The Internet offers many opportunities to play blackjack. Either with free games or in online casinos.
However, German citizens are prohibited from participating in online blackjack games for real money.
As of May 2020, there is not a single online casino with a valid gambling license for the whole of Germany.
Some online casinos have a license from the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, which decided against signing a federal German State Treaty on Gambling.
In 2011, the government of Schleswig Holstein awarded licenses to online casinos in the hope of increasing tax revenue through the gambling levy.
In these casinos, citizens from Schleswig Holstein are therefore also allowed to play blackjack for money.
Here a List of all gambling licenses.
Most online casinos have gambling licenses from the EU state of Malta.
Gambling fans and lobbyists in the industry therefore refer to European law, which should allow all other EU citizens to participate in online gambling as well.
In fact, almost all online casinos allow German players.
Apart from the non-existent criminal prosecution by the German executive, if you win you run the risk of not getting your winnings paid out.
In 2014, however, German Players asked to pay in a Munich courtbecause he had won a large blackjack prize of around €60,000 in an online casino. The winnings were confiscated by the state.
Black Jack Strategy Table
The blackjack strategy is a mathematical decision aid that shows the best possible decision in every game situation in a simple table.
Other terms for this are "basic strategy" and "basic strategy table" or "Black Jack Table".
With the optimal blackjack strategy, you can reduce the casino's house edge (or the player's disadvantage) to less than 1%. Compared to other casino games, blackjack therefore offers the best chances of winning. So it pays off if you master the blackjack strategy perfectly.
Comparison of the odds of different casino games
- Black Jack 0.5 %
- Baccarat 1 %
- Craps (dice) 1.5 %
- Roulette 2.5 %
Download Black Jack Strategy Table as PDF
How do you count cards?
"Counting cards" is the name given to a calculation system that can be used to predict the probabilities of certain events.
Card counting was developed in the 1960s by mathematicians who discovered that it was possible to gain an advantage over the casino in blackjack.
Counting cards is based on mathematical probability (Stochastics on Wikipedia)
You look at the sum of all cards in a fixed sequence that is not changed. By keeping track of the cards played, you can draw conclusions about the probability of the cards still to come.
Card counting is used to keep track of the ratio of high to low cards.
To do this, you divide the 13 card values into two groups:
- low cards: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
- neutral cards 7, 8 and 9
- high cards: 10, J, Q, K, A
For each card played, you count +1 (low cards) or -1 (high cards). Neutral cards are ignored.
The respective intermediate score is called the "running count".
If only one deck is played, the running count will tell you what the odds are.
If the running count is positive, mainly low cards have been played, as these have a value of +1.
This means that there must be even more high cards in the rest of the deck.
This is an advantage for the player, as you can build up better point totals with high cards and, above all, get a blackjack with an ace.
By counting cards, you know how high the probability is that either high or low cards will be dealt.
Click on the button to learn how to count cards!
Questions & Answers
Blackjack Glossary
🏦 Bankroll management
Bankroll Management (or money management) refers to the player's financial discipline when playing blackjack. A player should set a budget and stick to it to ensure that they do not spend more money than they can afford. It is important to make smart decisions and minimize risk in order to be successful in the long run.
📈 Basic Strategy
Basic Strategy is a basic blackjack strategy that specifies the optimal playing decisions for every possible combination of cards. This strategy is based on probability calculations and is a proven method of maximizing the chances of winning at blackjack. It is important to note that Basic Strategy is not a guarantee of a win, but merely indicates the best possible playing decisions.
🎁 Bonus
A bonus in blackjack is an additional payout that a player receives when they are dealt certain hands. For example, a player may receive a bonus if they have a certain card value or if they receive a certain combination of cards. These bonuses can vary from casino to casino.
When you play at an online casino, you can also receive bonuses for playing blackjack or other games of chance. Every player receives a welcome bonus upon registration, but you can also receive a Receive no deposit bonus. Our partner Gamblizard UK is the site that has collected the best no deposit offers. You can visit the site by clicking on the logo below.
🃏 Burn Card
The burn card in blackjack is the card that is discarded by the dealer before he starts dealing the cards. This card is usually used to make the game fairer and reduce the possibility of cards being counted.
Bust (overbuying)
Bust means that a player's hand exceeds 21 points and automatically loses.
If a player has a hand with a total score over 21, they automatically lose and the game is over. For example, if a player has a hand of 17 and draws another card that brings their total to 23, they bust. The player loses their bet, regardless of what the dealer has.
🤑 Comps
Comps (Compensations) are rewards that the casino gives to players who play a lot. These rewards can be free nights, food or drinks or even free game credits or cashback. In order to receive comps, players usually have to be members of the casino club and place a certain amount of bets.
🌟 Counting cards
Counting cards is a strategy where the player tries to count the remaining cards in the deck to increase their chances of winning. If the player knows what cards are left in the deck, they can adjust their bets accordingly and change their strategy to maximize their chances of winning. However, this strategy is prohibited in most casinos and can result in the player being expelled from the casino.
🤝 Dealer
The Dealer (fr. Croupier / German Dealer) in blackjack is the person who deals the cards and runs the game. The dealer sits at a special table and ensures that the game runs fairly and smoothly. The dealer also plays against the players and can usually explain the rules and strategies of the game.
♦️ Double Down
Double down is a strategy in blackjack in which a player doubles his bet and only receives one more card.
Double Down is a risky strategy, but it can be rewarded if it is successful. You should play Double Down when you have a good hand and the dealer has a weak card. For example, if you have a hand of 11 and the dealer has a card of 6 or less, you should play Double Down.
🎭 Etiquette
Blackjack etiquette refers to the rules of behavior and customs that should be observed when playing the game. This includes things such as tipping the dealer, not disturbing other players and avoiding bad behavior. It is important to respect etiquette in order to make the game enjoyable for everyone involved.
♣️ Insurance
Insurance is a side bet in blackjack that players can make when the dealer has an ace.
If the dealer has an ace, players have the option of placing an insurance bet. The stake for the insurance bet is usually half the original stake and pays 2:1 if the dealer actually has blackjack. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player loses their insurance bet.
🎭 Hand signals
Hand signals in blackjack refer to the Gestures and movementsthat a player makes to communicate his game decisions.
The use of hand signals is important to avoid misunderstandings and to make the game smoother.
For example, a player can lay his hand flat on the table to signal that he does not want to draw any more cards.
Gestures for moves
- Draw card (hit)tap the table with the flat of your hand or tap with your index finger
- stop (stand): wipe the cards in the air with the flat of your hand
- Split pair: Point to the cards with your index finger and middle finger spread apart. In principle, the fingers are pointing downwards like a peace sign.
- Double down: No hand signal, but simply place a second bet next to the first and say "double down".
- SurrenderDraw an imaginary line under the cards with your index finger.
💸 Hard Hand
An Hard Hand is a hand that does not contain an ace or contains an ace where the ace is counted as 1 point. For example, if a player has a hand of 10-6, the total value of the hand is 16 points. Since there is no ace or the ace is counted as 1, the player cannot draw another card without risking going bust.
- Blackjack Hard Hand
- Hard Hand Strategy
- Blackjack hand without ace
🃏 Soft Hand
An Soft Hand is a hand in which an ace is present and the ace is counted as 11 points. For example, if a player has a hand of Ace-6, the total value of the hand is 17 points. Since the ace is counted as 11, the player can draw one more card without risking going bust.
🎰 Hit
"Hit" (In blackjack, a "hit" means that a player receives another card from the dealer.
A player should draw another card if he has a hand whose total value is less than 17 points. For example, if a player has a hand of 12 and the dealer has a card with a value of 5 or less, it is best to draw another card.
🃏 Hole Card
The Hole Card in blackjack is the card that is dealt face down by the dealer. This card is important because it can influence the dealer's decisions. If the dealer has an ace or a 10 as a hole card, he can have a blackjack.
- Card dealt face down in blackjack
- Influencing the dealer's decisions through the hole card
📊 House Edge (house advantage)
The House Edge is the statistical advantage that the casino has in blackjack.
The house edge is the statistical advantage that the casino has in blackjack. This advantage is determined by the rules of the game and the payout structure. In most casinos, the house edge in blackjack is between 0.5% and 1%. This means that the casino will make a profit in the long term, even if individual players can win in a short period of time.
🕹️ Live Dealer
Live dealer blackjack is a version of the game where a real dealer runs the game via a live stream. Players can play the game via their computer or mobile device and interact with the dealer and other players. This version of the game offers a more authentic casino experience than playing online blackjack against a computer.
Mixing machine (continuous card shuffler / CMS)
Continuous card shufflers (CMS for short) are machines that are used to shuffle the cards in blackjack. These machines can be manually or electrically operated and can shuffle the cards quickly and efficiently. The use of card shufflers helps to make the game fairer and prevents players from counting cards.
📱 Mobile Blackjack
Mobile blackjack is a version of the game that can be played on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Players can play the game from anywhere and do not need to attend a stationary computer or physical casino. Most online casinos offer mobile versions of blackjack that provide an optimized experience for mobile devices.
🌐 Online Blackjack
Online Blackjack is the virtual version of the popular card game that can be played in online casinos.
Online blackjack works in a similar way to the traditional blackjack game in a casino. The player places their bet and receives cards from the dealer. The player can decide whether to draw more cards or stay. The dealer draws cards until he has at least 17 points. The player wins if his hand has a higher value than the dealer's, but does not exceed 21.
🏆 Payout
Payout is the Payoutthat a player receives when he wins at blackjack.
If a player wins a round, he receives a payout of 1:1, unless he has a blackjack, in which case he receives a payout of 3:2. If the player and the dealer have the same score, the game ends in a push (tie) and the player gets his bet back.
- Payout ratio for winnings
🎉 Promotions
Promotions and bonuses are offers offered by online casinos to attract new players and reward existing players.
There are various types of promotions and bonuses offered by online casinos for blackjack players. These include welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, free spins and cashback offers. These offers can give players extra chances to win and can also enhance the gaming experience.
- Offers from casinos for players
🆚 Push
A push occurs when the player and the dealer have the same number of points. In this case, the game ends in a draw and the player gets his stake back. However, if the player has a blackjack and the dealer does not, the player wins the game.
- Blackjack draw
- Blackjack tie
🃏 Shoe = card slide
In technical jargon, the container from which the dealer draws the cards is called a "shoe". In German, however, the device is referred to as a card slide. The device contains several decks of cards and ensures that the dealer can deal the cards more quickly.
🃏 Shuffle
Shuffle is the process of shuffling the cards before dealing in blackjack.
Shuffling the cards before dealing is important to keep the game fair and random. If the cards are not shuffled, players can develop strategies to count cards and increase their chances of winning. Shuffling the cards after each round also prevents a player from having the same advantage for several rounds.
🃏 Side Bet
Side bets are additional bets that a player can make in blackjack in order to achieve additional winnings. These bets usually relate to specific events, such as the occurrence of certain card combinations or the suit of the next card. Side bets can make the game more exciting, but they usually have a higher house edge and should be used with caution.
🤖 Software
Blackjack software is a type of software that helps players improve their strategies and decisions when playing the game. There are different types of software, including basic strategy trainers, card counting trainers and simulation software. These tools can help the player improve their skills and play the game more successfully.
🙋♀️ Surrender
Surrender is an option that is only offered in some casinos. It is a risky strategy, but it can make sense in certain situations. For example, if a player has a hand that looks very bad and the dealer has a strong card, it may make sense to play surrender and give up half the stake to avoid a larger loss.
🤝 Team Play
Team play in blackjack refers to playing the game as part of a team rather than playing alone. A team can band together to play together and maximize their chances of winning by coordinating their strategies and bets. However, this tactic may be prohibited in most casinos and can result in a reprimand.
🏆 Tournaments
Blackjack tournaments are competitions in which players compete against each other to win prizes. Players play several rounds and those who have the most chips at the end of the last round win the prize. There are different types of blackjack tournaments, including sit-and-go tournaments and multi-table tournaments.
🃏 Variations
There are many different variations of the blackjack game, such as Pontoon, Spanish 21, Double Exposure Blackjack, Switch and many more. Each variation has its own rules and strategies to learn.
VIP programs
VIP programs in blackjack are special programs offered by online casinos to reward loyal players. These programs provide players with exclusive offers and bonuses tailored to their specific needs. VIP players also have access to special events and tournaments that are only available to them.
- Rewards for loyal players
