How to Play Blackjack
The Basics of Blackjack
Online blackjack is a one-on-one card game that pits players against the dealer. Played with multiple decks of regular playing cards, the gameplay is fast, and the rules are simple.
The game’s objective is to end the round with a hand that beats the dealer’s hand. It must hold a value as close as possible to 21 points—known as blackjack—without going over.
In blackjack, picture cards are worth 10 points each, aces can be either 11 or 1 point, depending on which suits the hand best, and number cards carry their face value. You start the game with 2 cards, with the dealer served last, one card face-up and one face-down.
Game rounds can have one of three possible outcomes: player wins, dealer wins, or a draw (known as a push). In the event of a draw, your bet will be returned to you.
After receiving your initial cards, the player will always be invited to play first. You can pick from the following options:
- Hit—Request an additional card from the dealer to bring your hand value closer to 21. If you go over 21 points, you will bust out and lose the round.
- Stand – stick with your current cards if you think you can beat the dealer.
- Double Down—This is reserved for when you have a very strong hand. You can double your original bet and request another card from the dealer.
- Split – if you have two cards the same, for example, two nines, you can split them into two separate hands and bet on each hand independently.
- Insurance – if the dealer is showing an ace, you will be offered insurance against them having blackjack.
- Surrender – forfeit half of your bet and give up your hand (only available in some game versions).
After you have finished playing, either by busting out or sticking with your cards, it’s the dealer’s turn to play.
Many blackjack variants include mandatory dealer rules designed to ensure fairness. Understanding these rules and when they apply can help you determine how the dealer will respond to certain hands and aid in formulating your strategy.
Common dealer rules include:
- Hitting and Standing: The dealer must hit if their hand totals 16 points or fewer and stand on 17 or higher.
- Soft 17 Rule: A “soft 17” is a hand totalling 17 points that includes an ace counted as 11, for example, ace-6. Game rules vary as to whether the dealer should hit or stick on a soft 17.
- No Splitting or Doubling Down: Unlike players, dealers cannot split pairs or double down and must hit or stand based on the total value of their hand.
Types of Blackjack Games
Below, we have broken down the fundamental game rules for the most common blackjack variants available in Canada:
Classic Blackjack
Also known as American Blackjack, this is the most widely played version of blackjack and most prevalent in Canada. Classic blackjack is played with between 1 and 8 decks of cards and follows these standard game rules:
- Played with between 1 and 8 decks of regular playing cards
- The dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more
- Even money payouts are awarded for blackjack
European Blackjack
In European Blackjack, the dealer initially deals with one face-up card but does not receive and reveal the second until players have made their decisions. This version is played with between 2 and 8 decks and permits doubling down only on 9, 10, or 11.
Vegas Strip Blackjack
Vegas Strip Blackjack is played with 4-8 decks of cards and includes several alternative rules, such as the dealer must stand on all 17s, doubling down is permitted on any two cards even after splitting, and aces can only be split once. In addition, the dealer peeks for blackjack and surrender is not a play option.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch is an inspired variant of blackjack played with six decks of cards. It introduces a dynamic gameplay aspect that allows you to hold and play multiple hands and even swap cards between them.
Progressive Blackjack
Progressive Blackjack follows the standard rules of Classic Blackjack but includes a special side betting option for a chance to win a randomly triggered progressive jackpot prize.
The Rules of Blackjack
A typical round of online blackjack will play out as follows:
Initial Bets: To start your game, take your virtual seat at the table and place your bet in the designated betting spot.
Cards Dealt: The dealer will deal out two cards each, serving themselves last with one card face up and one face down.
Blackjack Check: A natural blackjack is a hand totalling 21 points from your initial two cards. If either hand has blackjack at this point, the game round ends with either player wins, dealer wins, or tie. Your bet is returned if there is a tie—known as a push in blackjack.
Player’s Turn: If neither hand has blackjack, the game proceeds with the player’s turn first. Typically, you can choose to either hit or stand, with possible options to double down, split, or surrender.
Dealer’s Turn: If your hand does not bust, the dealer reveals its hole card and then plays according to the game rules.
Outcome Determined: After you and the dealer have played, there are four possible game outcomes:
Player wins – your hand is higher in value than the dealer’s without going over 21 points; you win.
Dealer busts –the dealer busts, and your hand is still in play; you win.
Push – your hand is equal in value to the dealer’s; your bet is returned.
Dealer wins – your hand is lower in value than the dealer’s; you lose your bet.
Blackjack Payouts
Standard blackjack payouts are as follows:
| Hand | Payout |
| Blackjack | 3:2 |
| Winning Hand | 1:1 |
| Insurance | 2:1 |
Double Down
Doubling down is a play option for a chance to increase your payout if your hand is strong enough. After your initial cards are dealt, you can opt to double your bet and receive only one additional card.
Doubling down can be an effective strategy but should only be employed under certain conditions:
- Your initial hand is worth 11 points (there is a strong chance the next card drawn will be a ten or picture card to make 21)
- Your initial hand is a soft 16, 17, or 18 containing an ace that can be either 11 or one point.
- Your initial hand is a hard 9 or 10, and the dealer has a low-value upcard.
Splitting Pairs
Where permitted, you can split a pair of identical cards into two hands and play them separately. It’s advisable always to split aces and never split 10s.
Surrendering
In games where permitted, you can surrender the round and forfeit half of your bet. There are two types of surrender—early surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack or late surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack.
Insurance
Insurance is a side bet that may be offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. You are essentially betting against the dealer’s hole card being a 10-value card for a 2:1 payout. Insurance is not recommended as the high house edge makes the odds unfavourable.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
Unlike many casino games that rely entirely on chance, there are some very clear blackjack strategies that you can use to give yourself the best chance of winning the round.
The easiest way is to invest in a basic blackjack strategy chart. This chart is a visual guide that shows you the best possible moves based on the cards in your hand and the dealer’s upcard.
The chart can help you determine the optimal move for every possible hand combination, minimizing the house edge and ultimately maximizing your win potential.
Common Play Rules
Start your blackjack strategy with these common play rules, which are calculated based on the odds of hitting various hand outcomes:
- Hit on 12-16 if the dealer has 7 or higher. Hitting on 12-16 will increase your chances of improving your hand against the dealer’s potentially high hand value.
- Stand on 12-16 if the dealer has 2-6. When the dealer shows a 2-6, they have a higher probability of busting out. Standing on 12-16 will avoid the risk of busting yourself and let you take advantage of the dealer’s potential bust.
- Hit on 11 or lower. You cannot bust on an initial hand lower than 11, so you have nothing to lose.
- Stand on 17 or higher. This is higher than most likely dealer hands, giving you a solid chance of winning the round.
- Double down on 10 or 11. There is a high probability of drawing a 10-value card in blackjack, making this an attractive option.
- Check out our Blackjack Cheat sheet for the best advice on playing Blackjack.
Advanced Blackjack Strategies
More experienced players, high rollers, and the mathematically minded may wish to explore advanced blackjack strategies, such as card counting or complex betting systems, which can potentially deliver higher returns at greater risk.
While these methods can garner some positive results, it is important to play within your means in terms of finances and skills. Not all blackjack strategies are suited to all types of players, so you must be aware of your own limitations.
Card Counting
Counting cards in blackjack is a strategy used to determine whether a hand will likely give the player or the dealer an advantage. The most common method of counting cards is the hi-lo system, whereby you assign values to specific cards and keep a running count as the cards are dealt.
This count is converted into a ‘true count’ by dividing it by the number of decks remaining, which helps you work out the proportion of high cards left in the shoe. Not only does this strategy require strong mental arithmetic skills, it has become considerably harder since the introduction of automatic shuffling.
Betting Systems
Blackjack players also like to implement certain betting systems to try and improve their win potential, with many reporting successes to varying degrees. These systems cannot offer guaranteed results, and some require large bankrolls to support the exponential rise in bet sizes required to persevere with the strategy until hitting your desired outcome.
- Martingale Strategy: This method requires you to double your bet after each losing round with the premise that you will recoup your losses when you eventually hit a winning hand. A large bankroll is required to sustain this method.
- Fibonacci Strategy: A similar negative progression system to Martingale, but rather than doubling your bet following a loss, you follow with a bet that is the sum of your previous two bets. This method follows the famous Fibonacci Sequence and is less aggressive than Martingale but still high risk.
- D’Alembert Strategy: This is the most conservative strategy on our list. Popular among players in Canada, it involves increasing or decreasing your bet by a predetermined base value following losing or winning bets, respectfully.
Bankroll Management
Regardless of which blackjack strategies you wish to explore, first and foremost, you must find effective ways to manage your bankroll to get the best online blackjack experience. We recommend using the limit-setting tools many online casino operators provide to help you keep tabs on your time spent online and stick to your budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Blackjack
Avoid these common mistakes to get the best possible experience when you’re playing blackjack online:
- Never chase losses – this can lead to increasingly large bets trying to recoup losses quickly and the abandonment of strategy
- Don’t take insurance – as discussed, the odds are stacked against you, so the insurance bet is rarely a wise decision.
- Never stray from basic strategy – as statistics and calculations determine basic blackjack strategy, the recommended moves are based on minimizing house edge and maximizing your win potential. Straying from these moves will likely increase the house edge and skew the game unfavourably for you.
Remember that while you can’t control the cards you are dealt, you can control your methods. Employing a solid strategy can improve your odds and make blackjack more of a skill-based gaming experience for you to enjoy.
Playing Blackjack Online for Real Money
After you have spent some time perfecting your blackjack strategy and are ready to hit the tables for real money, we advise taking the following steps to ensure you get the best possible experience:
Choose Responsibly: Be sure to take your time and shop around to find the best online casino in Canada for you to embark on your blackjack journey. Read expert reviews, check out the operator’s current licensing and website security, and browse the table lobbies to ensure an operator stocks the right games to suit your gambling style.
Use Bonuses: Remember to check out the welcome bonuses, loyalty programs, and other promotions offered by the operator to discover ways to boost your win potential further. Look out for deposit match sign-up bonuses, cashback promos for returning customers, and exclusive loyalty programs that offer personalized rewards.
Live Dealer Blackjack
Live dealer casino games have taken the iGaming industry by storm, offering players the chance to get a truly authentic casino experience from the convenience of home.
These innovative titles are streamed live in HD quality video from luxurious global studios to deliver immersive gameplay, a heightened sense of social interaction, and a completely unforgettable casino experience.
Mobile Blackjack: Play on the Go
As mobile gaming continues to increase in popularity, more and more game developers are employing a mobile-first strategy when building games, using the latest HTML5 technology to ensure the best possible mobile experience.
Many online casino operators also have dedicated mobile casino apps to download onto your device for an even smoother mobile casino experience. This means Canadian players can enjoy a mobile blackjack experience that is second to none across Apple and Android mobile devices.
Responsible Gaming Tips
Any guide to online casino gaming would be remiss if it ignored the importance of responsible gambling practices. As gaming enthusiasts, we want to protect players and the industry from the dangers presented by addictive behaviour.
Follow our tips below always to keep yourself protected while you’re gambling online:
Set your limits and stick to them. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when playing blackjack online and forget to keep an eye on your account balance. You can set self-imposed limits before you start playing using the tools provided by many casino sites and set ‘reality check’ reminders to take a break from the screen so you don’t get too immersed in the gameplay.
Never gamble beyond your financial means. Remember that online gambling is a form of entertainment and should never be considered a viable way to generate income. Keep to your budget and never gamble with more than you can afford.
Seek help if you feel you need it. Most importantly, never forget that there are organizations available to help if you’re experiencing signs of problem gambling.
Blackjack Myths Debunked
We all know that we shouldn’t believe everything we read online. So, how do we discern the facts from the fiction? Start with the table to see the most prevalent misconceptions about playing online blackjack and the facts behind the myths:
| Myth | Fact |
| The goal is to get as close to 21 points as possible. | While 21 is the highest possible hand value in blackjack, your objective is to beat the dealer’s hand to win a payout. So, for example, you can stand on 12 if you think the dealer will bust. |
| Blackjack all comes down to luck. | Due to the nature of blackjack and the possible fixed number of hand outcomes, you can employ strategies to calculate the best move given the hands dealt. |
| Counting cards is illegal. | Technically, counting cards is not illegal. However, casino operators frown upon it. As they reserve the right to evict patrons, they will look out for signs of card counting. |
Conclusion
Congratulations on getting this far through your online blackjack journey. It’s now time to put what you have learned into practice, demonstrate your skills, and try out the strategies discussed above.
Be sure to follow our advice to get the most out of your game. Play only at fully licensed and trustworthy casino sites so you can be confident your personal information is protected, and take advantage of welcome bonuses, deposit matches, and other promotional offers for a chance to boost your wins and maximize your gameplay.
Above all else, always prioritize your personal safety, always gamble responsibly, and never bet with more than you can afford. Follow these tips, and you can’t go too far wrong.
Ready to get started? Check out our recommended online casino sites to play online blackjack in Canada today.