Rules and odds in blackjack - Learn to master them!
Unlike any other casino games where there is luck that determines the outcome of the game is blackjack A game where skills and knowledge play the biggest role.
To succeed with blackjack, you need to know the basics of the rules of the game, but also that you understand how to play your hands and how your choices affect the outcome.
Does it sound difficult? This is no wonder. If you are completely on blackjack, there are probably quite a few question marks in the beginning. But hopefully you will feel a little wiser after reading this guide!
The target in blackjack
Although there are many rules and much to know before you start playing blackjack, the very goal of the game is very uncomplicated: Blackjack is simply about beating the dealer!
And you can do this in three different ways:
1. By getting a hand worth more than the dealer.
2. If the dealer gets a hand exceeding 21.
3. By being lucky to get 21 on your first hand while the dealer doesn't get it.
But just as there are several ways to win, there are of course also several ways to lose in Blackjack:
1. Your hand gets a value over 21. Which is called being "thick".
2. The dealer's hand has a better value than yours at the end of the round.
Note: If there are other players at the table, their hands will not matter when it comes to winning Blackjack. That said, it's just about winning against the dealer!
The value of the cards
In the picture below you can see what values the cards have in blackjack:
The odds
To become a good player, you must understand how blackjack odds and probability play a role.
When you sit at the table, your chances of winning will depend on the cards you have on hand and what choices you make.
Below we look at what the probability is to become "thick" - when you exceed 21 - both for you and the dealer.
The probability of getting thick with one extra card:
The value of the hand | Probability |
---|---|
11 or lower | 0% |
12 | 31% |
13 | 39% |
14 | 56% |
15 | 58% |
16 | 62% |
17 | 69% |
18 | 77% |
19 | 85% |
20 | 92% |
21 | 100% |
The dealer's probability of becoming "thick":
The dealer's card | Probability by stopping at 17 | Probability by pulling on 17 |
---|---|---|
A | 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% |
A lesson from the tables above: Don't focus just on your hand, unfortunately it is a common mistake. The dealer's probability of getting thick is also very important to keep in mind!
Also note that sometimes more than a deck is used in blackjack. And it again affects the odds!
the advantage of the house
Then of course we also have this with the advantage of the house, what in English is called «house edge».
When it comes to casino games, the house always has a certain advantage, and why it happens is because the player always has to act first at the table.
But even though it is impossible to succeed in getting rid of that benefit, it is possible to reduce the benefit that exists.
As a rule, the house has an advantage of 8 percent in blackjack, but using strategies, such as the basic blackjack strategy, it is possible to reduce the benefit to 0.2-0.5 percent instead.
We have Posted a separate guide on strategies in blackjack, as you should also read.
But even though the house always has an advantage, there are actually benefits for the player as well. Benefits that the house does not have!
Below we show different options that improve the outlook and optimize the game:
- When you as a player get blackjack, you get extra well paid because it pays 3: 2 (2.5 times the bet). This if the dealer does not also get blackjack, then we get the bet back instead.
- As a player you have many choices, you can always choose between pulling or standing, while the dealer instead has limited choices. For example, the dealer must always draw on all short combinations up to 17.
- In addition, you can use the Double Down feature, which means you can double your bet in cases that are beneficial and thus maximize the profits at those times.
- Then you can also choose to split couples, and in this way you can improve weaker hands and at the same time take advantage of the dealer's weaker hands!
- Many times you can also choose to give up, or "buzz" as it is called in English and then you get half the bet back. Something good if you're on a bad hand and the dealer has a better. An option that the dealer cannot select. However, be aware that "Surender" is not possible at all tables, it depends on how the rules look on your specific blackjack table.
Side games and how it works
Regardless of which casino you choose to play blackjack with, there will also be a number of side games to choose from. And you can benefit from these in different ways.
Below we go through the most common side games available, but note that it can therefore vary from table to table, as it is to choose from right there and then.
Insurance - Insurance in American
Insurance is a side effort that you can use if the dealer shows an ace. This is to insure you against a possible blackjack.
You can then bet half of your original bet and bet indirectly that the dealer gets 21.
This bet gives you three times the bet, which means you will not win or lose anything if it turns out that the dealer actually has 21!
Let's take an example: Say you bet 40 USD and have a hand of 10 and 7. The dealer's first card shows an ace. Here you choose to take insurance and bet half of your original bet, ie 20 USD on the dealer to get 21.
If the dealer then actually has Blackjack (21), you win three times the bet you made on your page effort! At the same time, you lose your original bet. Like this:
You win 60 USD (20 USD in side insert x 3) and lose NOK 60 (20 USD on the side bet + 40 USD in original insert). You simply go minus minus, but would have lost $ 40 if you hadn't taken an insurance.
If, on the other hand, the dealer does not have blackjack, you only lose the side bet of $ 20, but win on the original bet.
Good, right?
Perfect pairs - perfect pairs in American
Another side effort is what is called "Perfect pairs" or short and good perfect couples in American. And here you simply bet that you get some kind of couples, and there are three different ones:
Mixed pair - mixed pairs in American
Mixed pairs are the simplest park combination because neither color nor black (clover, squares, hearts or spares) means anything. You simply win if your two cards have the same number (for example 10 + 10) or the same kind (for example, two ladies).
Mixed couples pay off 6: 1.
Coloured Pair - colored pairs in American
Here it is just that the cards have the same color. For example, there may be hearts of ace and squares (both red cards).
Colored pairs pay out 12: 1.
Perfect pairs - perfect pairs in American
A perfect pair is the most difficult to get, because here you have to get two exactly the same card, with the same color. For example: Two Save Ace or two tens in routes.
Perfect couple pays out 25: 1.
21+3
In addition, we have the side bet 21 + 3, and here it is not only your two own cards used in the bet, but also the card with the front up as the dealer gets when the cards are distributed.
With these three cards (your own two + dealer's card with the front up) you will get one of the following five combinations: three equally in the same color, straight flush, three equal, straight or flush, then you win 101x, 41x, 31x, 31x, 31x, respectively. 11x or 6x your bet.
Suited triple - three equal in the same color in American
This combination is the most difficult to get because all three cards must be exactly the same. For example, three saves 10 or three fems who are all in hearts.
Three just in the same color pay 100: 1.
Straight flush - short in order and the same color in American
Here it is important that all cards have the same order and order. For example, 7, 9 and 10 - all in clover.
Straight Flush pays 40: 1.
Three of a Kind - three equal in American
Three equally are easier to get than the two combinations we have gone through so far. Here it is important to get three identical cards, but without the color having to be the same. For example, clover lady, heart lady and router lady.
Three equal pay 30: 1.
Straight - all the cards in order
Straight works in the same way as straight flush, but with the difference that they do not need to have the same color. For example, it can be SAV 6, Ruter 7 and clover 8.
Straight pay 10: 1.
Flush - all the cards of the same color
Color is easier to get, as the only thing required is that the three cards have the same color. For example, routes 2, routes 9 and routes king.
Flush pay 5: 1.
Bet Behind – spill bak
Another side game in Blackjack is "Bet behind" or games behind as it gets in American.
This means that you can play on another player's hand, and this may be suitable for beginners.
The bet means you don't have to sit at the table and play! You just place the chips you want to bet behind the bet on the place you want to play. Before the dealer hands out the cards for the first time.
It is then the player who sits in the place that makes all decisions on how to play the hand.
Tables that offer Bet Behind have a yellow star next to the player's name. This star indicates the number of winning hands in a row for the player, making it easier for you to choose who you want to play behind.
Royal match
This bet is based on the player's first two cards being a picture card, and Royal Match specifically means that the cards must be of a king and queen.
The effort pays 25: 1 if 6 decks are used, and 3: 1 if there is 1 deck.
Over/under 13
In some variants of blackjack it is also possible to bet on or below when it comes to the first hand.
You then bet on whether the first two shared cards are under 13 or over 13.
Super sevens
This page effort is about betting on whether you get a seven or more of these. A seven pay 3: 1, two seams with different colors give 50: 1 while two seven of the same color gives 100: 1 and so on.
Lucky ladies
This page effort is paid if the cards together form 20. Without the same color, it pays 4: 1 and if the cards are of the same color 10: 1. If they have the same color and value, such as two tens in routes, it pays out 25: 1. But if you get "Lucky Ladies" - two ladies in hearts - you get 200: 1.
Should you get two ladies in hearts while the dealer has blackjack, you will get the full 1000: 1.
Other side games
The side games we have gone through above are the most common, but there are several side games that you can get to at various live casinos. Among other things:
- Honey bonus
- Lucky 7
- Lucky Lucky
- Top 3
- Hot 3
- Buster
- Bust It
- and more.
Live casinos with the best and most side games
In the table below you can see which casinos offer different side games. All casinos have an approved license for Americans.
casino | Bet | Number of decks | Bet behind | 21+3 | Perfect Pair | Hot 3 | Top 3 | Bust It | Buster | Lucky Lucky | Honey bonus | Lucky 7 | Software |
Leovec | 5-50 000 USD | 8 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | X | X | X | Evolution and Own Live Studio |
Mr Green | 5-50 000 USD | 8 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ | X | X | X | X | Evolution |
Unibet | 5-50 000 USD | 8 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | X | X | X | Evolution |
Invoice | 5-50 000 USD | 8 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ | X | X | X | X | Evolution |
Comeon | 5-50 000 USD | 8 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ | X | X | X | X | Evolution |
Timing | 5-50 000 USD | 8 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ | X | ✔ | ✔ | X | X | Evolution + Playtech |
How to play blackjack - a game round step by step
1. Make a deposit
Since it is not possible to play Live casino For free, you need to make sure you can make a deposit at the casino you can play with.
Read more about different Payment methods In our guide.
2. Set an effort
Depending on the table you have chosen to play, it may vary in terms of the smallest and highest possible efforts.
But remember: Don't play for more than you can afford to lose. We always recommend our readers to create a gaming budget first. read more about Responsible game in our guide.
3. The Dealer distributes the cards
When all the players around the table have put their bets, the dealer begins to divide the cards. Each player gets two cards each while the dealer gets one card, to begin with.
4. The dealer gave me a Blackjack!
Congratulations! Now you have the strongest hand and can relax while the dealer takes his last card, and only then do you know if you won or not. You can jump to step 6 if you have blackjack on hand.
5. The dealer gave me cards that activated my side games!
That's nice! Then you have already won a part of your money. But the game continues, let's see what the next step looks like!
6. Time to make a choice!
Now that you know the rules, the values of each card and the odds, take some time and try to calculate your winning chances by either standing, taking koty, double or splitting. Depending on your choice, the game will continue or stop here.
Søren, I was "thick"!
That's what happens! If your cards exceed 21, you lose no matter what the dealer's card is. You are now out until the next round starts. It is called being "thick".
Still in the game
If your hand has a value close to 21, and if you chose to stand, you are still in the game. So let's continue!
You can read more about about Blackjack strategies to improve your chances.
7. The dealer plays the hand his
When you and other players at the table have made one last choice, the dealer will draw their last card. Here are now four different things that can happen:
1. The dealer becomes "thick" (exceeds 21) - everyone who is still in the game wins.
2. Your hand is worth less than the dealer's - you've lost.
3. Your hand has the same value as the dealer's - you can draw another card.
4. Your hand is worth more than the dealer's - you won!
8. Time for payout
This is the last step in the game round. Depending on what you chose in step 4 (see below), there are now a few different payout scenarios:
1. If you won with blackjack right away, you win 1.5 times your bet.
2. If you win with a "normal" hand, you win 1: 1 of your bet.
3. If you win after doubling your bet, you win twice the bet.
4. If you win after splitting pairs, you win 1: 1 for each hand.
5. If you doubled after dividing couples, you win the 2 x bet.