Knowledge is power in gambling. The more you know about the games, the more successful you can be.
For a knowledgeable player, blackjack offers the best chance of leaving the casino as a winner. And,when you become an expert at the game, you can turn the tables on the casino, and get a real advantageon the game.
Blackjack Rules & Card Counting. We've already given you the basics of how to play 21 online. However, to make things even easier to understand, here's an example hand so you can see exactly how things go down at the table. How to play Blackjack – the 21 Card Game Player A places a one-coin bet. The basic rules of blackjack are simple. Players try to score as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21. In contrast to poker, where players compete with each other, blackjack is a one-on-one game between each player and the dealer. As the dealer, the basic rules of blackjack still apply. Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value.
But don't forget that some casinos will add rules to Single Deck Blackjack to counteract the decreased house edge, such as offering 6-5 payouts for landing a blackjack. A 6-5 payout for blackjack removes 1.39% from your expected return. We have two options for single deck blackjack games: The New Blackjack, and 21 Blackjack Classic. The liberal rules of Spanish 21, though, do compensate for this. With optimal play, the house edge of a Spanish 21 table is lower than that of a blackjack table with the same rules on hitting or standing on soft 17. The game also offers an optional 'Match the Dealer' side bet, which compares a player's cards with the dealer's upcard. But don't forget that some casinos will add rules to Single Deck Blackjack to counteract the decreased house edge, such as offering 6-5 payouts for landing a blackjack. A 6-5 payout for blackjack removes 1.39% from your expected return. We have two options for single deck blackjack games: The New Blackjack, and 21 Blackjack Classic.
Originally created by Ken Smith, the goal ofthis site is to provide clear, accurate and transparent information to guide you in optimizing yourblackjack play.
So how do I start?
We have a variety of resources for all levels of play. See below :
- Blackjack School - A complete course for all levels
- Blackjack Strategy Engine - Generate basic strategy charts
- Blackjack Strategy Trainer - Interactive game which shows the correct decisions to make
- Card Counting - A collection of useful card counting resources
- Blackjack Forum - A treasure trove of knowledge with contributing experts
- Online Blackjack - What to look out for when playing online
- Blackjackinfo Store - Purchase strategy cards
- Recent Blog Posts - Read the latest news and insights from expert contributors of BJI
Our most comprehensive resource, this is a completeguide consisting of 24 lessons starting from the very basics of understanding the rules to thenitty gritty details of advanced card counting.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Understand Basic Strategy
- Card Count
- Apply Money Management Methods
- Evaluate When a Game is Beatable
- Gain an Advantage Against the Casino!
Many casinos offer a version of the game where a basic strategy player's expected loss is onlyaround 0.3%. By just choosing the right game and using a correct basic strategy, your results havealready improved five-fold over a typical player!
A player who plays at this skill level can already 'beat' the game if you consider the value ofcomps and freebies he can get.
Our Blackjack Strategy Engine allows you to generate charts based off different rule sets
Looking for something a bit more interactive? Our free basic strategy trainer is designed to coach you and provide advice when you make an incorrect decision
This has recently been updated to be more user friendly on mobiles although if you want to play the original version you have the option to do so too
If you want to beat the game in the long run for actual cash, that's possible too. In fact,Blackjack is probably the easiest game in the casino where a knowledgeable player can get amathematical edge over the game.
By learning to count cards, you can expect to win more money than you lose. You don't have to be agenius to count cards… You just need to be willing to study, practice, and play with discipline.
Visit our blackjack school for a complete blackjack course whichcovers card counting extensively or visit our card counting resource.
A treasure trove of blackjack know-how, our forum has over decades of valuable informationavailable for free.
Got a question? There are many industry experts that contribute to the community that can answeranything.
- Latest Threads
Unfortunately there's no way to card count when playing blackjack online, however if you are looking to just play for fun there are a few things you need to look out for.
We've decided to create a separate resource to address the questions you should be asking yourself before playing online which include:
- Is it legal to play online blackjack?
- What's the difference between online blackjack and live blackjack?
- Which online casinos give the best promotions?
- Do I have to pay tax on winnings?
If you are looking for physical strategy cards instead of using our strategy engine, the BlackjackInfo Store has wallet-size basic strategy cards, and an advanced strategy set thatincludes card counting indexes right on the card.
Our set of six strategy cards covers all thecommon rule variations.
BlackjackinfoStoreThe Current State of the Law for Online Blackjack in North America & Beyond
Some movement has occured in online gambling laws in North America over the last year. A lot has also been happening in Europe recently. One of the latest developments was the announcement that virtual gaming platforms will be fully legal in Belarus beginning April 1, 2019. This followed a Presidential Decree signed on August 7.[...]
Read MoreThe Ins and Outs of Tipping Your Blackjack Dealer
Tipping is a form of communication in the service industry, especially if you are in the US. Here, people working at any service capacity normally get minimum or low-average wagers, and tend to depend on their tips for a boost in income. Considering casinos… …in all the shapes and forms they are available nowadays, also […]
Read MoreOnline Casino Registration will Become a Thing of the Past
When it comes to online casinos and embracing the latest technologies related to the gambling industry, the US has been in some kind of a vacuum for a number of years. We all know that the US is usually the leader in all fields, so the statement in the previous sentence seems somewhat contradictory. Even […]
Read MoreBlackjack Table Rules Las Vegas
Playing Blackjack in Teams : Things to Consider
Author: Bluesman from BJ21.com I frequently read about blackjack teams and the difficulties they get into. As someone who has been a player, an investor, and a manager for a blackjack team, I thought I would write some general notes and, I hope, help others avoid some of the pitfalls we had to negotiate. I. […]
Read MoreBooks on Advantage Play Cannot be a Strategic Roadmap
Advantage play (AP) books usually teach strategy tables and are meant to provide a good conceptual understanding of the game. They cannot be expected to provide AP strategy/career roadmaps. If they did, they would become outdated very quick
Read MoreGeneric Basic Strategy
Basic strategy is the best way to play a blackjack hand on the first round after a shuffle, assuming you see no cards other than your own and the dealer's upcard. For a person who does not count cards, basic strategy is the best way to play every hand.
Read MoreUnusual Circumstances & Break-in Dealers
Your bet is not lost until the dealer picks it up. If the dealer errs in your favor, keep the money. Never cheat, but never give money to the dealer. Of course, if the dealer makes an error in the casino's favor, speak up and get it corrected. Look for gifts. The dealer is not supposed to show you either the card on the bottom of the pack or the burned card (i.e. the card turned under). [...]
Coushatta Blackjack Table Rules
Read MoreUnfortunately there's no way to card count when playing blackjack online, however if you are looking to just play for fun there are a few things you need to look out for.
We've decided to create a separate resource to address the questions you should be asking yourself before playing online which include:
- Is it legal to play online blackjack?
- What's the difference between online blackjack and live blackjack?
- Which online casinos give the best promotions?
- Do I have to pay tax on winnings?
If you are looking for physical strategy cards instead of using our strategy engine, the BlackjackInfo Store has wallet-size basic strategy cards, and an advanced strategy set thatincludes card counting indexes right on the card.
Our set of six strategy cards covers all thecommon rule variations.
BlackjackinfoStoreThe Current State of the Law for Online Blackjack in North America & Beyond
Some movement has occured in online gambling laws in North America over the last year. A lot has also been happening in Europe recently. One of the latest developments was the announcement that virtual gaming platforms will be fully legal in Belarus beginning April 1, 2019. This followed a Presidential Decree signed on August 7.[...]
Read MoreThe Ins and Outs of Tipping Your Blackjack Dealer
Tipping is a form of communication in the service industry, especially if you are in the US. Here, people working at any service capacity normally get minimum or low-average wagers, and tend to depend on their tips for a boost in income. Considering casinos… …in all the shapes and forms they are available nowadays, also […]
Read MoreOnline Casino Registration will Become a Thing of the Past
When it comes to online casinos and embracing the latest technologies related to the gambling industry, the US has been in some kind of a vacuum for a number of years. We all know that the US is usually the leader in all fields, so the statement in the previous sentence seems somewhat contradictory. Even […]
Read MoreBlackjack Table Rules Las Vegas
Playing Blackjack in Teams : Things to Consider
Author: Bluesman from BJ21.com I frequently read about blackjack teams and the difficulties they get into. As someone who has been a player, an investor, and a manager for a blackjack team, I thought I would write some general notes and, I hope, help others avoid some of the pitfalls we had to negotiate. I. […]
Read MoreBooks on Advantage Play Cannot be a Strategic Roadmap
Advantage play (AP) books usually teach strategy tables and are meant to provide a good conceptual understanding of the game. They cannot be expected to provide AP strategy/career roadmaps. If they did, they would become outdated very quick
Read MoreGeneric Basic Strategy
Basic strategy is the best way to play a blackjack hand on the first round after a shuffle, assuming you see no cards other than your own and the dealer's upcard. For a person who does not count cards, basic strategy is the best way to play every hand.
Read MoreUnusual Circumstances & Break-in Dealers
Your bet is not lost until the dealer picks it up. If the dealer errs in your favor, keep the money. Never cheat, but never give money to the dealer. Of course, if the dealer makes an error in the casino's favor, speak up and get it corrected. Look for gifts. The dealer is not supposed to show you either the card on the bottom of the pack or the burned card (i.e. the card turned under). [...]
Coushatta Blackjack Table Rules
Read MoreCan you teach yourself blackjack and win?
We all come to the tables by different paths. While I'm not a hardcore blackjack player, I do enjoy the game and usually dedicate about 20% of my bankroll to it. I'll try to lay out some of the pitfalls I faced in learning and coming to love the game. Beginning or novice players might […]
Read More4,000 Miles in Search of an Advantage — Part Two
Early on in my career I struggled to find a balance between work and play. My only respite was the summer air as I sped across the freeway en-route to the next casino. I spent my leisure time journeying from table to table. There was no time for sight-seeing, no time for exploration, no time […]