Master the Blackjack Rules and Odds
Before jumping into this exhilarating card game, you must first understand the rules of blackjack. Online Blackjack is fun, but knowing the rules is still important before you play.
Game Objective
Blackjack is a card game you play against the dealer. You receive two cards, and the objective is to get the total of your cards as close to 21 without exceeding it, which is called a bust. The dealer has one face-up and one face-down card. You can add cards to your hand to try and get closer to 21, but always keep in mind that you might also go over it.
The Card Values
Most of the card values in this game are the number value, but it’s different for face cards, as shown in the table below.
| Card Value | Card Value |
|---|---|
| Cards 1 – 9 | The value is the same as the card’s number |
| Cards 10, J, Q, K | The value for all these cards is 10 |
| A | The value changes between 1 and 11 |
Odds in Blackjack
The odds in blackjack change depending on whether you play the game with a six-deck or eight-deck “shoe” or however many decks are in the shoe of the game you’re playing. Below, we made a table of the blackjack odds and the probability of busting when you add an extra card to your hand.
| Hand Value | Probability to Bust When Adding a Card |
|---|---|
| 11 or lower | 0% |
| 12 | 31% |
| 13 | 39% |
| 14 | 56% |
| 15 | 58% |
| 16 | 62% |
| 17 | 69% |
| 18 | 77% |
| 19 | 85% |
| 20 | 92% |
| 21 | 100% |
However, the dealer can also bust, as shown by the blackjack odds below.
| Dealer’s Face-up Card | Probability to Bust Standing on 17 | Probability to Bust Hitting on 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 17% | 20% |
| 2 | 35% | 36% |
| 3 | 37% | 38% |
| 4 | 40% | 40% |
| 5 | 42% | 42% |
| 6 | 42% | 44% |
| 7 | 26% | 26% |
| 8 | 24% | 24% |
| 9 | 23% | 23% |
| 10 | 23% | 23% |
Blackjack House Edge
This game is known as one of the casino games with the lowest house edge, but it can change depending on the game variation and the number of decks in the shoe. The average blackjack house edge is around 0.5%, but the table below shows how it can be higher or lower depending on the decks.
| Number of Decks Used in Game | House Edge |
|---|---|
| One Deck | 0.17% |
| Two Decks | 0.46% |
| Four Decks | 0.60% |
| Six Decks | 0.64% |
| Eight Decks | 0.66% |
All the Moves
Various moves exist in the blackjack rules, but there are different situations in which you should use these moves. Our strategy page can help you learn when to use what move, but we look at some basic ones.
- Hit: This action is when you ask for another card, usually if your hand value is low.
- Stand: You do this action if you’re happy with your hand value and don’t need another card.
- Double Down: If you have an excellent hand you’re sure will win, then you can double down, increasing your bet by 100%.
- Split Pairs: When your initial hand has two cards of the same value, you can split it into two hands and receive second cards for both hands.
- Bust: This term refers to when you get a hand that’s over 21, meaning it’s a bust and an instant loss.
Different Blackjack Payouts
Like with all casino games, your payouts depend on the type of bet you make and when you win. Below is a table showing the possible payouts.
| Bet You Placed When You Won | Payout |
|---|---|
| Instant Blackjack (Hand Value = 21) | Win 1.5x your wager |
| Normal Hand/Bet | Win 1:1 |
| Double Down Hand/Bet | Win 2x your wager |
| Split Pairs Hands/Bet | Win 1:1 on each hand |
| Split Pairs and Double Down Hands/Bet | Win 2x on the hand you doubled down |
Understanding All the Side Bets in Blackjack
Side bets are wagers you can place on other outcomes in the game beyond whether you or the dealer win. Some are pretty popular, but you must know when to use them. Below we discuss the different side bets and blackjack payouts available.
Insurance
You use insurance if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace. With an Ace, there’s the chance the dealer can land a 10 and thus reach 21. Insurance is an extra bet valued at half your initial stake and pays out 2:1 if the dealer gets 21, so you’ll break even on your stakes.
Perfect Pairs
You place this bet before you receive your cards and wager that your cards will be a colored, mixed, or perfect pair. So you bet your cards will have the same value, but different colors, the same color but different suits, or the same colors and suits, with payouts being 5:1, 10:1, and 30:1, respectively.
21+3
Originating from poker, this wager bets that the player’s two cards and the dealer’s face-up card will make a poker combination. The combinations are Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Suited Triple.
Bet Behind
This wager lets you bet on another player’s hand. If you feel another player at the table has a good hand, whether at land-based casinos or in live dealer games, you can place a bet on their cards.
Royal Match
You stake that your two cards will be the Queen and King of the same suit, with a 10:1 payout or a 25:1 payout for multi-deck shoes.
Over/Under 13
This bet has a 10:1 payout, and you bet whether your initial hand will have a total over or under 13, with a 13 resulting in a loss. In this wager, an Ace counts as ‘1’.
Super Sevens
This side bet is unlikely to win but has massive payouts. You bet whether your hand will have 7s, with one 7 paying out 3:1, two 7s 50:1, two 7s of the same suit 100:1, and three 7s if you hit payout 500:1 and 5000:1 if they’re the same suit.
Lucky Ladies
You wager on whether your two cards will have a total of 20. If the cards are different suits, the payout is 4:1, while suited is 10:1, and suited and same rank are 25:1.
Honey Bonus
The Honey Bonus bet also uses your two cards and the dealer’s face-up one. It wagers that the three cards will form a three-card poker hand and gives you an additional 3:1 payout if your two cards form a blackjack of the same suit.
Lucky 7
Similar to the Super Sevens, this bet is based on the number of 7s you get. However, you can’t draw a third card if the dealer lands a blackjack, and the payouts differ slightly. Two 7s, non-suited and suited, payout 25:1 and 50:1, while three 7s, non-suited and suited, payout 100:1 and 500:1.
Top 3
This bet is wagered with the 21+3 side bet and adds better payouts on Three-of-a-Kind, Straight Flush, and Three-of-a-Kind Suited, ranging from 90:1 and 180:1 payouts to 270:1 payout.
Hot 3
The Hot 3 wager is like the Top 3 or the 21+3 side bet, but the payouts differ depending on the result. Three 7s pay 100:1, while Suited 21 pays 20:1. Further, 21, 20, and 19 hand values pay 4:1, 2:1, and 1:1.
Buster
This side bet wagers that the dealer will bust, and your payout becomes higher the more cards are in the dealer’s hand.
How to Play This Game – Breakdown of a Round
Playing blackjack is easy once you’re used to the gameplay. However, to help get you started, we’ll look at the rules and strategies of blackjack and the gameplay.
Step 1: Deposit into Your Account
Before playing online, you must deposit real money to fund your account. Online casinos that accept UAE players usually have popular payment methods to deposit in AED.
Step 2: Make Your Wager
Game variations and live tables have different bet limits, so decide what you want to bet. Make sure you don’t bet more than you can afford to lose, which allows you to play for a few rounds.
Step 3: The Dealer Deals the Cards
Once everyone has placed their wagers, the dealer will deal two cards to each player and one face-up to himself.
I Got a Blackjack!
Amazing, you’ve landed a 21-hand from the start! Your part is over, and you can relax until step six to see what you won.
The Cards Triggered My Side Bet(s)!
Luckily, some of your side bets won! This means you’ve already made some return on your wager. However, the game continues, so see what your hand won.
Step 4: Make Your Choice
This step is where knowing the rules and various popular strategies come in handy. Look at your hand value, and remember your strategy to decide whether to hit, double down, split, or stand this round.
I Got Busted
You can’t always win, and sometimes hitting results in a bust, with a hand value over 21. You’re out until the next round, so sit back and consider your strategy while waiting.
I’m Still in the Race
Alright, you’re still in the game and might still win this. If your hand value is close to 21, it’s usually best to stand and see what happens in the next step.
Step 5: The Dealer Plays His Last Card
Now, the dealer will draw his last card, and you’ll find out whether you won or lost. See the below outcomes to understand what happens.
- Dealer busts: Everyone still in the game wins.
- Dealer has a higher hand value: You lose.
- Dealer has an equal hand value: You draw.
- Dealer has a lower hand value: You win.
Step 6: Collect Your Winnings and Repeat the Steps.
Payouts differ depending on the bet you made and the game’s outcome. However, if you win, you’ll automatically receive your payouts.
Hit or Stand?
Blackjack is a popular title many UAE players enjoy playing, as it’s a thrilling game with easy-to-understand rules. It can have a low house edge, and some side bets pay out significant winnings. However, remember your bankroll and the low probability of winning side bets before making them. Reading our guide, you can now understand and enjoy the gameplay of this popular title.
Frequently asked questions
