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Blackjack remains one of the most popular casino card games with its blend of a simple core concept with player decision-making. And the game has only grown its audience with the general shift towards online play.
Now, players can access a game of online Blackjack without having to go to a land-based casino venue. So, how exactly does a game of Blackjack work online? Read on to find out as we break down the rules and gameplay of the online game format.
The basics of online Blackjack
Online Blackjack shares a lot of the same features as its in-person version, following the same basic rules and order of gameplay.
The goal of a standard game of Blackjack is for players to have a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. This hand value is then compared against the dealer’s, with the stronger hand of the two coming out on top.
Each of the cards in the deck has a specific value, with Kings, Queens and Jacks each worth ten and number cards worth their face value. The only exception to this is the Aces, which can be valued at either one or 11 depending on what benefits the surrounding hand more.
How a game of online Blackjack plays
The game always starts with players placing their wagers before any cards are drawn. In a land-based venue, you would place your chips in a set position on the table, but in online games players select their wager through the user interface.
Once wagers are placed, the game proper begins, with the dealer handing out two cards to each player and two to themselves. Some online games are only played against the computer dealer, increasing the overall pace of the game.
Only one of the dealer’s two cards is placed face up, with the other remaining face down until after all players’ actions are concluded.
Now it is up to the player to decide how to proceed with their hand, with a few key options available to choose from:
- Hit – taking another card to increase the hand’s value
- Stand – leaving their hand at its current value and ending their turn
- Double down – doubling their initial wager in exchange for just one additional card
- Split – dividing their hand in two and playing each separately (but only when the first two cards are the same value)
The player’s turn either ends when they choose to stand or if their hand value goes over 21, and they go bust.
Now play moves to the dealer, with their face down card revealed. If their hand is worth less than 17, they must hit until it reaches at least that value or they go bust themselves.
In the case of the dealer going bust the player automatically receives a payout, as long as they still have a valid hand. If the player’s hand is of higher value, then they also receive a payout, but not if the dealer has ended up with the stronger hand.
Online Blackjack also has plenty of variations that shake up the standard formula, but at its core the game remains the same as it always has.
