Looking to learn how to play blackjack or curious about the best way to play blackjack online? You’re in the right place. At Hard Rock Bet Casino, we make it easy for new players to pick up the basics while giving seasoned pros the energy they expect from a world class casino.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to play like a pro, whether you’re stepping up to a live dealer table or testing your skills in an online game. From card values and betting options to strategy tips and bankroll management, you’ll find everything here to start your blackjack journey with confidence.
So, if you’ve ever wondered how to play blackjack, or how to play blackjack online from the comfort of your phone, let’s jump right in.
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is one of the most iconic card games in the world, fast, fun, and packed with strategy. The goal is simple: beat the dealer without going over 21. But behind that simplicity lies the excitement of decision-making, from when to hit or stand to when to double down for bigger wins.
Fun Facts about Blackjack
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🎸 Blackjack’s real name is “21.” The game became known as “blackjack” when U.S. casinos offered a special bonus payout for a hand with the Ace of spades and a black Jack (clubs or spades).
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🌍 It’s one of the world’s most popular casino games. Blackjack is played in casinos across nearly every country, from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo to Macau.
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👑 It’s inspired by old European games. Historians trace blackjack back to French “Vingt-et-Un” (21) and Spanish “Veintiuna,” popular in the 1700s.
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🎥 Blackjack is a Hollywood favorite. The game has appeared in countless movies, from Rain Man to Casino Royale, adding to its cool factor.
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📱 Blackjack is just as popular online. With live dealer tables and mobile play, online blackjack brings the same excitement of the pit straight to your phone.
Card Values in Blackjack
For beginners learning how to play blackjack, understanding card values is as essential as starting with G, C, and D major guitar chords. Here’s what you need to know:
- ♠️Number cards (2 through 10) are worth their face value (i.e., 2 of spades = 2; 9 of hearts = 9; 2 + 9 = 11 total).
- 👑Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) each count as 10.
- ♦️Aces are flexible, worth 1 or 11, to get the most value from the hand.
Most blackjack variants use six to eight standard 52-card decks shoes. In video online blackjack, however, the cards get shuffled automatically between each hand.
Key Terms in Blackjack Every Player Should Know
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Hit – Signal the dealer for another card to try and improve your hand.
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Stand – No more cards will be dealt to you.
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Double Down – Double your bet after your first two cards and receive one more card
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Split – When the first two cards are a pair, you can split them with an additional bet and create two hands.
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Surrender – Fold your hand early (if allowed) and get back half of your bet.
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Blackjack (Natural) – An Ace plus a 10-value card on the first two cards, totaling 21.
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Bust – When your card total exceeds 21 and you are out of the hand.
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Soft Hand – A hand that includes an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace + 6 = soft 17).
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Hard Hand – A hand without an Ace, or where the Ace must count as 1 to avoid busting.
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Push – When you tie the dealers total and your bet is returned.
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Upcard – The dealer’s face-up card that players can see.
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Hole Card – The dealer’s face-down card.
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Insurance – A side bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace, paying 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.
How to Play a Hand of Blackjack: Step-by-Step
- Place your bets: Blackjack begins with placing a wager after choosing a chip denomination. Be sure to check the tables min and max bet sizing.
- Cards are dealt: Once you’ve placed your bet, the dealer starts the round by delivering two face-up cards to each player. Along the way, the dealer gets one face-up card and one face-down card. The dealers face up card will determine your actions.
- Your turn: Next, it’s up to you to decide how to play your hand, based on what you’ve got versus the dealer’s upcard. You can choose from the following blackjack bets:
- Hit- take another card
- Stand- no more cards
- Double Down- double your bet and receive one more card
- Surrender- fold early and get half your bet back
- Insurance- don’t do it
- If you hit, and bust (go over 21), the dealer will take your cards and your bet. If you stay and are under 21, the dealer will move on to the next player for their actions.
- Dealer’s turn: After each player decides how to play their hand, it’s time for the dealer to act, so long as they don’t have a natural blackjack. Per the rules of the table, the dealer usually has to “stand on 17” (including soft 17 in some blackjack variants, i.e., A-6). That means the dealer will keep drawing cards until they get 17 or higher or go bust.
- Winnings and Payouts: If you lose the hand, your cards will be collected, your bet will be collected and the next hand will start. If you are dealt a blackjack, you will get paid out 3:2, in other words, $15 on a $10 bet. You win the same amount of your bet if you beat the dealer or the dealer busts. If you tie the dealer, you will just keep your money.
Blackjack Variations
While the standard in US casinos and US online casinos is 3:2 blackjack, there are several variations of blackjack that you may find in retail casinos and online. Lets take a look at some of those variations.
Different Payout Structures: 6:5 vs. 3:2
Since blackjack is such a mainstream casino game, there are numerous marketing gimmicks that deter its high-RTP potential. For example, traditional blackjack pays 3:2 for achieving a natural hand (21 on your first two cards).
At some casinos, you may come across blackjack games that pay 6:5 for a natural hand. While those numbers might seem appealing, it’s actually a way of reducing payouts to customers and boosting the house edge by a small percentage.
For the best odds of winning, stick to traditional blackjack variants that pay 3:2 for a natural hand.
Side Bets and Other Variations
Blackjack sidebets are additional bets that you can place that pay at varying odds. These sidebets spice up the game and can lead to some pretty serious payouts. They typically do not hit very often depending on the sidebet placed, but you can bring home some serious cash if the cards fall your way.
With higher payouts come lower odds, so side bets are best for those with bigger bankrolls who can afford to incorporate some risk into their betting strategy.
- 💕Perfect Pairs: Side wager on achieving a pair (of the same rank) with your first two cards. Pays up to 25:1 for suited pairs (i.e., two 8s of spades); 12:1 for colored pairs (i.e., 6 of hearts and 6 of diamonds); and 6:1 for mixed pairs (i.e., 5 of diamonds and 5 of clubs).
- 🃏21+3: Side bet that combines your first two cards with the dealer’s upcard. Form the best possible three-card poker hand, including a straight (10:1) or a flush (5:1). While a three-of-a-kind pays 30:1, a straight flush pays 40:1. Nailing a suited three-of-a-kind (three identical cards in the same suit) pays 100:1. Odds depend on the number of decks; you’ll have better odds here with 8-deck blackjack games.
Popular blackjack variations include:
- 🌍European Blackjack: The dealer doesn’t get a hole card; instead, the player gets a chance to achieve a winning hand before the dealer receives a second card.
- 🎸Atlantic City Blackjack: Allows late surrender (after the dealer checks for blackjack); usually requires the dealer to stand on soft 17.
- 🔥Spanish 21: Removes all 10s from the deck (for 48 total cards); may offer unique bonuses and payouts (i.e., a 3:2 payout for getting 21 on five or more cards).
- 💸Blackjack Switch: Play two hands simultaneously (like multi-hand blackjack), but you can swap the top two cards between hands to form a better one.
- 📹Live Dealer Blackjack: Offers live streaming with human dealers for authentic casino vibes.
Why Play Blackjack at Hard Rock Bet Online Casino?
- ♠️Traditional Games and Exclusive Titles: Choose from traditional blackjack games or explore live dealer exclusives like Hard Rock Blackjack. You will find every option including video blackjack, multihand blackjack, blackjack switch and all the sidebets you could ever dream of.
- 🤘Generous Welcome Bonuses: First-time players at Hard Rock Bet get up to $1,025 in casino bonus funds. You’ll get a $25 no deposit bonus just for signing up. Then, you can claim a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 to keep the rockstar vibes flowing. Learn more about the Hard Rock Bet Casino Promo Code.
- 📱Intuitive Mobile Experience: Play 24/7 on the Hard Rock Bet mobile apps (iOS, Android) for a seamless user experience that’s vibrant and smooth.
- 🎲Explore More Live Dealer Options: We’ve got more than just blackjack. You can freely explore our live dealer roster of exciting games, like baccarat, craps, roulette, and poker. You can learn all the games rules and tips right here at Hard Rock Bet like how to play roulette online if you want to try a new and exciting game.
- 🏆Trustworthy and Secure: Hard Rock is one of the most well-known brands in the gaming industry. Registered players are protected by gaming essentials like SSL and tested regularly by the states governing body such as the NJDGE in New Jersey.
FAQ about How to Play Blackjack
Below we’ve put together a few questions and answers about blackjack.
How many decks are used in online blackjack?
Online blackjack games typically use 6 to 8 decks, especially IGT variants. The decks get “shuffled” between each hand.
What is the best blackjack strategy for beginners?
Using a blackjack strategy chart online is an easy way to learn how to play blackjack. Practicing online where the stakes are low and you have no time limits also helps you get the basic strategy down. Then, you can practice your knowledge and skills at live dealer blackjack games.
Can you count cards in online blackjack?
No, online blackjack continuously shuffles the decks between each hand. While you could technically count the cards on the table for multi-hand blackjack, you’re much better off using the basic strategy.
What is a soft 17 in blackjack?
A soft 17 is any hand that adds up to 17 where the Ace is being used to represent an 11. For example, an Ace with a 6, or an Ace with a 4 and a 2. Once the Ace in your hand represents a one, it becomes “hard,” which also goes for any hand without an Ace (i.e., 10-7).
What are the advantages to playing blackjack online vs in person?
There are several advantages such as:
- The minimum bet is going to be lower. Some games offer stakes as low as $0.10 per hand. Most in person casinos have a minimum bet of $10-$50
- No time limit. You can take your time to make decisions without the pressure of a dealer and other players.
- Games go at your pace. If you want to play fast, you can get a lot of more hands in than in a live casino. If you want to play slow, you can play slow and never miss a hand.
- You don’t have to leave your house and can play anywhere, anytime.
Is online blackjack fair?
Yes, as long as you are playing at a licensed online casino like Hard Rock Bet. Licensed online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure that card deals are completely random and fair. Reputable sites are regularly tested by the states regulatory body in the state where it is live. For example, in New Jersey, the NJDGE (New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement) regularly test every online casino for fairness and integrity.
Can I play online blackjack on my phone?
Yes. You can play online blackjack on your phone or mobile device on the Hard Rock Bet mobile app.
Is it safe to play online blackjack with real money?
Yes, As long as you play at a licensed, regulated casino, like Hard Rock Bet, with secure payment options, your funds and personal data are protected.
