What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a global favorite among casino games. It is a mix of skill and luck, where you play against the dealer and try to get your hand as close to 21 as possible. The game is also known as 21 because that is the highest score you can achieve with two cards.
The game is simple to learn. But it has many variations and strategies that can make it more exciting and challenging. One of the most important aspects is the hand ranking. This determines how much you win or lose depending on the cards you and the dealer have.
In this article, we will explain the hand ranking and how they affect the game outcome. We will also give you some tips on how to improve your chances of winning and avoid common mistakes. By the end, you will have a better understanding of how to play and enjoy this thrilling game with our recommended betting brokers.
Ranking from the highest…
If you want to play you need to know the ranking of the hands. Here is a list of the hands from highest to lowest, and how much they pay:
- Blackjack: Nothing beats this hand. It consists of an ace and a 10-value card (10, jack, queen, or king). This hand pays 3:2, which means you win one and a half times your bet. For example, if you bet $10, you win $15. This hand also beats any other one, even if the dealer has a 21.
- 21: This is the second-best hand you can get. It consists of any combination of cards that add up to 21. For example, you could have a 9 and a queen, or a 6, a 4, and an ace. This hand pays 1:1, which means you win the same amount as your bet. A 21 ties with another 21, which means neither you nor the dealer wins or lose.
- 20 : Any combination of cards that add up to 20. For example, you could have a 10 and a king, or a 7, a 6, and a 7. This hand pays 1:1, which means you win the same amount as your bet. A 20 beats any lower hand, but loses to a Blackjack or a 21.
… To the lowest winning hand
- 19: It consists of any combination of cards that add up to 19. For example, you could have a 9 and a king, or an 8, a 5, and a 6. This hand pays 1:1, which means you win the same amount as your bet. A 19 beats any lower hand but loses to a blackjack, a 21, or a 20.
- 18: Any combination of cards that add up to 18. For example, you could have an ace and a seven (soft 18), or a jack and an eight (hard 18). This hand pays 1:1, which means you win the same amount as your bet. An 18 beats any lower hand but loses to a blackjack, a 21, a 20, or a 19.
- 17: It consists of any combination of cards that add up to 17. For example, you could have an ace and a six (soft 17), or a queen and a seven (hard 17). This hand pays 1:1, which means you win the same amount as your bet. A 17 beats any lower hand but loses to a blackjack, a 21, a 20, a 19, or an 18.
- Lower hands: these are hands that add up to less than 17. They are not good for the player, because they can easily go over 21 if the player gets another card. That's why lower hands need smart choices, based on what card the dealer shows and what the game rules are.
Tips and recommendations
This popular casino game requires both skill and luck. Here are some tips on how to play according to the hand rankings:
- If a hand has no Ace or an Ace that is worth 1, it is called a hard hand. If a hand has an Ace that is worth 11, it is called a soft hand. For example, a 9 and a 4 is a hard 13, while an Ace and a 2 is a soft 13.
- If you have a hard hand, you should hit if your total is 11 or less, stand if your total is 17 or more, and follow some basic rules for the totals in between. For example, you should always hit if the dealer has a 7 or higher and you have a hard 12 to 16. Also, you should always stand if the dealer has a 6 or lower and you have a hard 12 to 16.
- If you have a soft hand, you should hit if your total is soft 17 or less, stand if your total is soft 19 or more, and double down or hit depending on the dealer’s card for the totals in between. For example, you should double down if the dealer has a 4 to 6 and you have a soft 13 to soft 18, and you should hit if the dealer has a 2, 3, or 7 or higher and you have a soft 13 to soft 18.
- You have the option to split your hand when you have two cards that are equal in value. This will give you two separate hands to play against the dealer. You should always split Aces and eights, never split tens or fives, and split other pairs depending on the dealer’s card.
It's time to win at Blackjack!
Now you have everything you need to master this game. The next step: Play Blackjack online free and put your new skills to the test!
