Blackjack Basics: How to Play 21 and Win

Blackjack, also known as 21, is a card game that lots of people really like because it’s filled just with the right amount of luck, strategy, and involvement by a player. For Aussies to win at blackjack, they need to know not just the basic rules but also have a pretty good strategy. Further on, we will explain how to play blackjack, the ways of enhancing chances of winning at it, and present the main Australian blackjack rules.

Mastering Blackjack: Essentials You Need to Know
In blackjack, the goal is straightforward: get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Players want to have a larger total than the dealer while avoiding a “bust” (going above 21). The dealer and every player begin with two cards and have unique possibilities for shaping the outcome.

Card Values in Blackjack:

• Number cards (2–10): Face value
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points each
• Ace:1 or 11 points (it all depends on what is most beneficial to the hand)

Once the cards have been dealt, the croupier displays one card face up. Based on the dealer’s shown card and their own hand, players choose whether to hit (take another card), stand (keep their current hand), double down (twice their initial stake for one more card), or split (if they have a pair). The dealer must hit till he reaches at least 17.

Fun fact: Blackjack has its roots in the French game “Vingt-et-Un,” which means “21,” and dates back to the 1700s. Over time, it evolved into blackjack, particularly in the United States.

Basic Strategy and Probabilities
Most Blackjack strategies are based on probability. If you understand and know when it’s best to hit, stand, double down, or split can increase your likelihood of winning. Here’s a look at the statistical likelihood of different outcomes:

Probability of Busting by Total
The probability of busting increases when your hand total approaches 21. Here’s a table that shows your chance of busting if you decide to hit:

Australians should normally avoid hitting when their hand totals 17 or above, as the probability of busting is considerable. For hands numbered 12 through 16, the dealer’s visible card should affect your decision. If the dealer you’re gambling with has a weak card (2 to 6), standing is usually the best option because they are likely to bust.

Fun fact: At the beginning of the 20th century, casinos provided a special payout to players who made 21 with an Ace of Spades and a black Jack. This is where the term “blackjack” originated!

Key Situations in Basic Blackjack Strategy
Certain hands benefit from consistent strategic decisions. Here is an outline of typical scenarios:

• Soft 17 (Ace, 6): A “soft” hand is the one that contains an Ace and is counted in this top-tier game as 11. In most circumstances, hitting a soft 17 gives you a better chance of improving your hand while avoiding a bust. Many casinos require dealers to hit a soft 17, which marginally raises the house edge.
• Doubling Down on 10 or 11: When your hand totals 10 or 11, and the dealer’s visible card is 9 or below, doubling down is usually advantageous. According to statistics, doubling down on these totals wins between 55% and 60% of the time, giving you a solid chance of success with a doubled reward.
• Splitting Pairs: When dealing with pairs, such as 8s and Aces, splitting is an effective strategy. By splitting Aces, you begin with two good hands, each having a high chance of reaching 21. When you have a pair of 8s, splitting enhances your odds; playing two hands at 8 offers you a better chance than one hand totalling 16, which is a difficult hand to win with.

Pro tip: Make sure the casino is trustworthy and has the right licences, like from Curacao eGaming or the UK Gambling Commission, so you know it’s safe to play there. For the best options, check out the new Australian online casino list, which features top-rated platforms with the latest games and favourable terms for players.

How to Win at Australian Blackjack: Key Rules and Differences
Australian blackjack adheres to the same fundamental rules as the traditional one but with a few important variations. At most Australian casinos:

1. Dealer’s Hit/Stand Rules: Dealers usually hit on a soft 17, slightly favouring the house. This means the dealer is more likely to reach higher totals, so doubling down at the right moments becomes essential.
2. Resplitting Aces: Some Australian blackjack rules allow players to resplit Aces if they receive additional pairs, providing more opportunities to maximise hands and improve winning odds.
3. No Hole Card: In Australian blackjack, the dealer doesn’t receive a second card (you may also come across the term “hole card”) until every player has completed their hands. This means players may invest in doubling down or splitting before knowing if the dealer will get a blackjack, adding a small risk factor.

Winning Tips to Improve Your Blackjack Game
Curious about how to play at 21/Blackjack? Mastering blackjack requires strategy and discipline. By incorporating the following tips into your game, you can increase your own odds of winning and even lower the house edge.

#1. Use Basic Strategy Consistently
A basic blackjack strategy is a smart way to play the game that helps you make good choices based on the cards you have. This strategy helps you lose less at the casino. For example, if you have a total of 17 or more, you should not take any more cards, and if you have 11, you can double your bet. Knowing and using this strategy is really important if you want to win more often.

#2. Manage Your Bankroll Effectively
Before you begin playing a game, determine how much money you can spend and make sure to stick to that amount. If you lose, don’t try to bounce back the money you lost because that can lead to spending even more. Blackjack is a game where the chances are pretty good, so if you play carefully with your budget, you might have more fun for longer. It’s actually also very important to make up your mind on how much you want to win or lose before you start, so you don’t get too excited and forget your limits.

#3. Avoid Insurance Bets
When the dealer shows an Ace, it often happens when players are tempted to take insurance, betting that the dealer has blackjack. Nevertheless, the insurance bet has a large house edge (around 7%), making it a poor long-term strategy. The odds are generally against winning this side bet, so it’s best to avoid it and focus on your primary hand.

#4. Practice Card Counting (with Caution)
Card counting is a tricky way to help you win more when playing card games. It means keeping track of the good cards and the not-so-good cards left in the deck. This helps you guess which cards might come next. At Australian casinos, they often use a lot of decks, which makes it harder to count cards but it can still work well when there are fewer decks. Just remember, casinos don’t like it when people count cards, and if they catch you, they might ask you to leave the table.

#5. Choose Tables with Player-Friendly Rules
Not all tables are the same, though. If the dealer is forced to stand on soft 17 – a hand containing an Ace counts as 11, you generally have a better chance of winning. Besides, tables allowing you to double on any two initial cards are more favourable than those allowing it on 10 or 11 only. It is also good when one can resplit Aces and fewer decks are involved – all these aspects are favourable.

Final Thoughts
So, how to win at 21/Blackjack? Along with an elementary understanding of game mechanics and fundamental strategy, mastery requires awareness of the rules that apply to your region’s version of the game, such as Australian blackjack. Playing with a reliable strategy and managing your bankroll will totally help you win more often. Good luck!

Main photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash