All opinions are mine and mine alone.

How to play Blackjack

Blackjack or 21 as it can also be known, is one of the most popular casino games, traditional land based games , slot machines and also online at Cozino.com. It has been played for hundreds of years and is what is known as a casino banked game, in other words the players don’t compete against each other but compete against the dealer, in essence the casino.

The objective of the game is to get a hand worth 21 before the dealer does and to not go over 21 otherwise the player is then bust and the other players automatically win, The dealer hands out two cards to each player and places them face down whereas the dealer’s card is dealt face up, a strategic part of the game is to make a mental note of what the dealer’s card is. The second dealer’s card is dealt face down.

Blackjack cards 

Cards with the numbers two to ten are worth their figures, face cards, King, Queen and Jacks, are worth ten too and the Ace can be valued at either one or eleven. It is automatically valued at eleven unless this would immediately take the player over 21 and then it would be valued at one. 

An ace with a face card, King, Queen or Jack, can automatically give you a hand of 21.  

If a player has a hand of at least sixteen then they would normally stand as any other card that is dealt could take them over 21. Once a player stands then the dealer misses them out and carries on dealing to the next player. If the hand is under sixteen, however, then the player will hit which means the dealer will deal them an additional card. At this point the player can choose to hit again and receive another card or stand. Any cards dealt by the dealer during this stage will be dealt face up including the dealer’s cards too.

 Favourable blackjack hands

If a player has a favourable hand, usually nine, ten or eleven card, they may choose to place a second bet to the same value as their first bet. This is called a double down. The dealer then gives them one card face up and the player must then stand regardless of the total of his hand. This option is only allowed on the initial dealing of the cards.

If a player receives his first two cards and they are of the same value so for example a ten or a face card, King, Queen or Jack, then the player can place an additional bet to the same value as their first bet and split the cards into two hands, however, if either hand repeats and has another second card of matching value then the player may be offered the option to split once again and place a further bet. Usually the maximum number of splits is four. The player does, however, have all the usual options of stand, hit or double down.