Blackjack Rules You Must Know
Playing blackjack is a relatively simple game, but it’s still a good idea to learn more about and study the rules before you start playing, even if it’s just for fun. Blackjack is played with standard French playing cards. Different versions of the game may use different numbers of decks, but typically one to eight decks are used.
Every card has a certain value:
- Each card from 2 to 10 has its own unique numerical value.
- J, Q and K all have numerical values of 10.
- A can take the value 1 or 11.
The goal of the game is to get a hand with a higher value than the dealer without exceeding 21 points.
You can achieve this by selecting “Hit” (get an extra card) or “Stand” during the game. If your card totals 22 or more, it will “bust” and automatically fail. If you don’t bust, it’s the dealer’s turn to act next. The dealer usually continues to draw cards until the total number of cards in his hand reaches 17 or more (specific rules may vary), regardless of the cards in the player’s hand.
If the dealer busts, the player wins, unless the player himself busted previously. If neither player busts, the value of the cards in their hands is compared to determine who will win. You have the potential to win twice the amount you staked, get your stake back (in the case of a draw), or lose the amount you staked if the dealer’s combination is better.
Additionally, if you hit blackjack (i.e. the combination of an Ace and any 10-point card), you will win 2.5 times your bet, but only if the dealer does not hit 21. If the dealer also happens to have 21, a tie occurs and you get your money back.
Note: If you want to play blackjack for free, here are some common and simplified rules that should be enough for you. However, it is also wise to study the more detailed blackjack rules and read more about the different types of blackjack games, as the rules of each game may be slightly different. If you are a beginner, it will also be helpful for you to read our "How to Play Blackjack" article at Svip Casino.
How to play blackjack?
Playing free blackjack games at Svip Casino is easy.
- You do not need to register or download software to use the casino website. Just select your preferred blackjack variant and wait for the game to load.
- In a traditional game of blackjack, both you and the dealer are dealt two cards. The object of the game is to beat the dealer by getting a hand as close as possible to, but not exceeding, 21. The value of a card depends on its face value. The value of the face card is 10, while the Ace can be 1 or 11.
- You either hit, which means drawing another card, or you stop, which means sticking to the cards you already have. Remember, if your points exceed 21, you bust and lose the game immediately.
- When the dealer’s card is revealed, compare your and the dealer’s scores to see who has a higher score. If you and the dealer have the same score, it is called a draw and your bet will be refunded.
- You can choose to bet again or quit and try another game. A very nice feature of playing blackjack online is that no matter what you do, you will never lose any money. To learn more, visit our Blackjack Gameplay page.
Why play free online blackjack games?
Many people who play blackjack like to use the free version to practice. This free blackjack practice allows them to test various strategies and understand their odds so they can be prepared before playing blackjack for real money. Some less serious players like to play free online blackjack, which allows them to enjoy the game without having to make a deposit, register an account, or provide personal information. Game developers have also launched a series of social blackjack apps, which are a great way for players to have fun with friends for free.
- With no registration or deposit required, you can play games quickly and easily while keeping your personal data private.
- On our website, you can enjoy more than 60 free blackjack games, giving you more opportunities to choose from.
- Play exclusive games and have fun without risking any real money.
- With games rated by our review team, you can be sure you’re playing the highest quality games.
Free Blackjack Strategy
As mentioned before, a great advantage of free blackjack is that you can master many different strategies without risking any cash. Happily, most of the strategies for real money games also apply to the free version, which you can use to test them out.
If you are interested in which strategies or popular betting systems are worth trying, check out our Blackjack Strategies page where you will find detailed information about these strategies. At the same time, these important tips also apply to free games.
Free Blackjack vs. Real Money Blackjack
Although free games are great for players who want to try out different blackjack variations, test new strategies, or just have fun, they are not without limitations. Once players get the hang of the game and unlock more variations and bonuses, they tend to be attracted to real money games. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of each method:
Free blackjack | Real money blackjack |
You can play blackjack online for free. | As you play, you will have the opportunity to win real money. |
Play now, no deposit required, no download required | Blackjack bonuses will give you a competitive edge in the game when you deposit money. |
Exercise your strategies and improve your game | I’m going to play all the blackjack games, and that includes blackjack games hosted by live dealers. |
Players have little chance to take advantage of bonuses and promotions. | There is a possibility of losing money when gambling on blackjack. |
Not all versions of the blackjack game are free | Before you start playing, please take a moment to register and make a deposit. |
Best starting hand
It pays to know the basics of good cards, so we’ve listed three of the top poker cards below:
Tradition 21
In all blackjack variations, an ace and any 10-point card can win instantly – so be aware of this!
Hard 20
Any two cards worth 10 will give you a total of 20 points. In most variations and situations, you should be “standing” at this point, as it is unlikely to be defeated!
Soft 18
If you get an Ace and a 7, you will have 18 points. This hand gives you different playing options that you can use to your advantage.
You need to practice basic blackjack strategies before playing for real money
Blackjack is a casino game that requires some knowledge and practice to achieve the best results. By playing free blackjack games, you don’t need to use real money, but you can master what is called basic strategy, which is a great tool that can help you achieve the theoretical maximum return rate (RTP) of the game.
Depending on the specific rules version of the blackjack game you play, you may get slightly different payout rates, but you should always have an idea of how you should act in each situation to achieve the best payout rate. See our basic strategy article to learn more about the best ways to play blackjack.
However, basic strategy is not about counting cards or using other tricks to beat the casino. Its job is to help you make the right decisions and minimize the casino’s advantage over you. If this topic interests you, feel free to read our article on card counting in blackjack. Please note, however, that you may not use or practice these techniques in recreational games.
Note: Blackjack is one of the few casino games in which players can actually make a profit, thanks to the skill of card counting. Of course, casinos don't like this, so they ask players to leave if they suspect they are counting cards. Additionally, there are other measures to make card counting more difficult, or simply disallow the use of card counting techniques. In online casinos, card counting can only be used to some extent in blackjack hosted by a live dealer. And due to the frequent shuffling and swapping of decks, this strategy is likely not a profitable option.
Can free blackjack be card counting?
It is quite difficult to practice card counting in free online blackjack games. The reason is that the game uses a random number generator (RNG) that is constantly shuffling the cards. To experience a real blackjack game firsthand and improve your skills by counting cards, you need to participate in a live dealer blackjack game, where a real dealer shows you a real deck of 52 cards via video stream. However, this variant of the game is rarely free to play.
15 Blackjack Terms You Need to Know
Whether you play blackjack online or at a land-based casino, it’s crucial to understand the different terminology. Not only does this make the game more fun, but it also helps improve your chances of winning.
Now, let’s take a look at the various blackjack terms and what they mean:
Stand
When you decide to “stand”, it means you think your hand is strong enough to beat the dealer. If your hand equals 21 or is close to 21, then you should obviously “stand”. However, the final decision is still up to you!
Hit
In the game, “Hit” and “Stand” are almost the opposite of each other. After the dealer gives you the initial hand, you can choose to ask the dealer to “Hit”. If you want an extra card, it’s most likely because you don’t feel like your hand is winning enough, so you need more cards to get closer to blackjack.
Split
If the player’s initial two cards are of the same value (for example, two Queens), the player may choose to split the hand into two parts. This means that players can continue playing two hands. Players will gradually receive one additional card per hand from the dealer until the player chooses to stand, leave their hand, or bust.
Blackjack
The name of the game! This is almost a perfect deck of cards. That is, you have a card worth 10 and an Ace.
Double
After the first two cards are dealt, you have the opportunity to choose to “double”. If you believe your hand is good, you can choose to “double” your bet – but be warned, this is a risky choice!
Upcard
This is the card that the dealer holds and is shown “face” for all players to see.
Even Money
This is a more conservative measure because it acts almost like insurance. If you reach 21 and the dealer shows an Ace, asking for an equal bonus means your profit ratio will be equal, that is, 1 to 1.
Insurance
In the game of blackjack, insurance acts as a side bet. It’s usually around 50% of the value of your original bet, and you can choose to bet insurance if the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Insurance odds are 2 to 1.
First Base
A base is a term borrowed from baseball and refers to the position or player to the far left of the dealer. They will be the first to receive cards in the blackjack game.
Hole Card
Typically, these cards are placed face down and are not revealed to anyone. The cards are not turned over until everyone is satisfied with their hand and wants to reveal who is the winner.
Soft Hand
When you have a soft card in your hand, it usually means you will be dealt an ace at the beginning of the game. This is because you can decide whether the Ace is worth 1 or 11 based on another card.
Hard Hand
When you don’t have an ace, your hand is stronger. This means that as a player, you have limited choices and opportunities for advancement.
House Edge
The bookmaker is actually the casino or the institution where you place your bets. The house edge is the advantage they have over the players. It represents the overall probability of the casino winning in the long run.
Surrender
If you are dissatisfied with the two cards you get, you can choose to surrender, which means you need to give up half of your bet.
Bust
This means that the total number of points on your card has exceeded 21. This means you have failed!
Latest online blackjack
The makers of free blackjack games are always launching new games and we already have over 23 games available on our site for players to choose from, but that doesn’t mean we’re standing still.
In order for our global audience to enjoy the latest, highest quality blackjack games, we are constantly adding new blackjacks to SvipCasino.
In order to stay up to date with all the latest releases, we therefore conduct these searches regularly to be able to stay up to date.
Our most recent free blackjack releases as of November 2024 are:
Understanding side bets in blackjack
Many casinos and game providers add a variety of additional betting options to their blackjack games, which add to the excitement of the game but usually also add to the house’s edge. You can participate in additional bets by placing separate bets, which are settled independently from regular blackjack bets.
The most popular side bet is called “21+3”, where you win a certain multiple of money based on your two cards and the dealer’s up card. The highest paying combinations are made up of three cards of the same rank and suit, such as three queens of clubs.
Side bet options are more diverse at real and virtual blackjack tables around the world, but they all have one thing in common. Their RTP is worse compared to blackjack without side bets. If you want to maximize your RTP, you should avoid choosing side bets, but these side bets also increase the volatility of the game, which may be more attractive to some players. One thing is for sure, feel free to try side bets when playing our free blackjack games, just for fun.
Free blackjack for mobile devices
Currently, not all online casino games have mobile-friendly versions, but many of them are already mobile-friendly. The game of blackjack is no exception and the blackjack games in our database can also be played on mobile devices. If you’re visiting from a mobile device, you can use our “Mobile Ready” filter to only show blackjack games that are suitable for you to play. The number of games to choose from will be relatively small, but there will still be plenty to choose from.
There are still many games that require Flash Player to play, but the number of such games is gradually decreasing as many older games are being redesigned to use new technologies supported by mobile devices.
Unfortunately, free play is generally not available at blackjack tables with live dealers, but you can play for real money at many online casinos. Those casinos that offer live roulette will usually also offer live blackjack, but to be sure, it’s recommended that you explore sites that exclusively offer live blackjack.
How do I start playing blackjack for real money?
If you want to play blackjack for real money, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you want to make sure you play at a reputable online casino that has a solid reputation and offers players good fraud protection. If you don’t know where to find a casino, you can check out our pick of the best casinos of 2023.
To get the most out of playing for real money, you also need to know about the bonuses and promotions available, especially the welcome bonus if you’re a new player. Then, just check if the online casino of your choice offers your preferred payment method, register for an online account and make your first deposit, and you’re ready to start playing.
Benefits of Playing Blackjack for Real Money
Earn real money by playing online Blackjack games:
- Help you achieve financial benefits.
- There is a chance of victory and a chance of failure, which makes it even more exciting.
- This is a real challenge to systems that count cards.
- I can assist you in clearing your online casino welcome bonus.
- Play with friends and enjoy together whether you win or lose.
We recommend you choose from our list of reliable online casinos and start playing blackjack for real money today.
