Blackjack, a 300 year old game, explained

Blackjack is one of the oldest and most famous table games that you can play. It’s also one of the most popular games for people who like to wager money on their ability to beat the odds and is considered to be one of the most popular card games in gambling. 

The game itself may have existed for centuries but the way it is played and the variations of the game have changed over the years. In this guide we will briefly explain the basics with some strategies players can adopt to improve their chances in the modern online game.

The move to modern

Blackjack may be a traditional card game but nowadays it is fit for the 21st Century and players can play online blackjack at Paddy Power with many new takes on the classic game catering to all needs and budgets. There is a whole range of variations of blackjack to be found online, with the live dealer games and games against other real online players in live lobbies.

If you prefer to play solo, you can also discover blackjack variations that can offer this, amongst a variety of games. The likes of First Person Blackjack are powered fully by CGI to provide an authentic feel and there is even Speed Blackjack for those who like the challenge of playing at an ultra-fast pace.  

Another benefit of playing blackjack online is being able to make the most of various enticing bonus offers or first-time free bets that online casinos use to target new customers. It’s a good idea to use these offers wisely when placing bets on virtual blackjack tables, as the initial risk is minimal when you first play.  

Time to play the game

Once you have gained your free bet or bonus offer and browsed the multiple blackjack variations to be found online, you’re in a good position to play. First, you will need to know how to play blackjack as the basic premise of the online version is the same as you would play offline in a casino. 

Classic blackjack involves a dealer and a player, or players. Everyone including the dealer is dealt two cards each, one is face up and the other is face down. The aim of the game is simply to total your cards to the value of 21, or the closest to 21, without exceeding 21 – or going ‘bust’.

Although a game of chance, if you are not strategic enough to make the correct decisions then the chance of winning decreases. So what strategies can you use? If you consider the Ace can act either as one or 11, then this allows you to make the correct decision whether to ‘Hit’ if you have an Ace in your hand. About Aces, it is always best to split if you have two – and the same goes for eights – as this gives you two chances to reach 21.

Looking forwards

The key tip is to understand the game and to know when to take a Hit and when to Stand – to stick with the hand you have, but with lots of practice – and even help from apps – you will understand the game better. Once you have mastered the basic premise of blackjack, then you can move on to the many variations of the game to be found online.