Classic Blackjack: Tips for the Player

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Last Updated on October 31st, 2023

What is Classic Blackjack ?

Classic blackjack is a popular card game played around the world, especially in Singapore. Nowadays, Singaporean players enjoy playing at online casinos. The game started in Europe and then became popular in Asia. The main goal of the game is to make smart choices and try to win.

History of Classic Blackjack

Blackjack, often known as “21”, has a rich history that spans several centuries. Here’s a simple overview of its journey:

Origins in Europe

The game is believed to have started in France in the 1700s. It was known as “Vingt-et-Un”, which translates to “21”. This French version was similar to today’s game, where players tried to reach a total of 21 without going over.

Modern Era

With the rise of the internet in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, online casinos became popular. Blackjack found a new home online, allowing players from all over the world to enjoy the game from the comfort of their homes.

How to Play ?

The game uses one or more decks of 52 cards. Each card has a value. For example, Kings, Queens, and Jacks are worth 10 points. Aces can be 1 or 11 points. Other cards are worth the number on them. Players try to get cards that add up to 21 or close to it without going over. If you get an Ace and a card worth 10 points right away, that’s called a “blackjack”. The dealer gives out the cards and has to keep taking cards until they have 17 points or more.

Basic Rules of Classic Blackjack

Learn the basic rules of blackjack before you bet real money on games.

Card Values

Number Cards (2-10): Worth their face value.

Face Cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks): Each valued at 10 points.

Aces: Can be worth either 1 point or 11 points, depending on which value benefits the hand more.

The Deal

Players are dealt two cards, typically face up. The dealer also receives two cards, but usually, only one card is face up (known as the “upcard”) while the other is face down (the “hole card”).

Blackjack

If a player’s initial two cards are an Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, King), it’s called a “blackjack” or a “natural”. This hand typically pays out 3:2.

Hitting and Standing

Players can choose to “hit” (take another card) to try to get closer to 21 or “stand” (keep their current hand). Players can continue hitting as many times as they want, but if the total exceeds 21, they “bust” and lose the bet.

Dealer’s Turn

After all players have acted, the dealer reveals their hole card. Dealers must hit until their hand totals 17 or more. Some casinos require the dealer to hit on a “soft 17” (an Ace and a 6).

Winning the Game

If the player’s hand exceeds 21, they lose.
If the dealer busts, all remaining players win.
If neither busts, the hand closest to 21 wins.
Ties (pushes) result in no money changing hands.

Doubling Down

After receiving the initial two cards, players have the option to “double down”, which means doubling the original bet in exchange for one more card.

Splitting

If the first two cards dealt are of the same value, players can choose to “split” them into two separate hands. An additional bet equal to the original is placed on the second hand, and each hand is played separately.

Playing Online Classic Blackjack

Playing blackjack online is easy and fun. You can play from home and don’t need to go to a casino. More people in Singapore are playing online now. Some online sites even give bonuses to new players. There are also online games where you can see a real dealer giving out cards on a video. This makes the game feel more real and fair.

Classic Blackjack Tips to Play Better

Know When to Hit or Stand

Knowing when to take another card (hit) or when to stop (stand) is crucial. For instance:

If your cards total 16 and the dealer displays a 10, it’s often wiser to stand.
Conversely, if your cards total 11, hitting might be a favorable choice.

Card Memory

Some experienced players attempt to recall which cards have already been dealt. This strategy, while not foolproof, can sometimes provide insights into potential upcoming cards. Remembering played cards can help in making educated guesses about the deck’s composition.

Classic Blackjack VS Other Blackjack

Blackjack, in its essence, is a simple game, but over the years, various versions have emerged, each with its own twist. Here’s a comparison between Classic Blackjack and some other popular variants:

Blackjacks	Deck	Dealer’s Play	Doubling	Splitting
Classic	Usually played with 1 to 8 standard decks of 52 cards.	Dealer stands on all 17s in most versions.	Allowed on any two cards.	Can split to make two hands. Re-splitting might be allowed depending on the casino.
European	Typically played with 2 decks.	Dealer doesn’t receive the hole card (second card) until all players have made their decisions.	Usually allowed only on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11.	Can split once, but re-splitting is not allowed.
Multi Hand	Typically played with 5-8 standard decks of 52 cards.	Dealer rules can vary, but in many versions, the dealer stands on all 17s.	Doubling rules can vary, but players are often allowed to double on any two cards.	Players can usually split if the first two cards of a hand have the same value. Re-splitting might be allowed depending on the casino.