What Is A Blackjack? Definition, RTP, Value

Interested in card games and want to learn more about blackjack? Here comes the description of the game in general, its rules, interesting facts, things to consider. Being a «relative» of Twenty-One, another famous game that actually has the same rules, this one is not less popular and has loads of features to impress players. Well, what is a blackjack game and how to take into account all the details?

The Game’s Rules Briefly

In general, blackjack table betting is an exciting entertainment where a casino’s customer plays against the dealer. The player gets 2 cards and has to decide whether to hit (take another card) or stand (not to take another card). In order to do that, players estimate the value of the cards: 2-10 cards bring the same value as their number is (three points for the 3, 5 points for the 4), while J, Q and K all bring 100 points, and the Ace can give 1 or 11 (depends on what value the gambler needs to win). Why does this value matter? Because you have to get as many points as possible (actually, more than the dealer has), but not over 21. If you need more details, learn about the blackjack rules here. 

You should know: combinations with an Ace are called soft combinations, so their value varies and players aren’t afraid of busting so much. For example, 8+A = 19 or 9. You can stand or take another card without taking risks: 8+A+9 = 8+1+9= 18, so you don’t lose anything.

Games of the Same Family

As Spanish Vingt-Un is the game where everything comes from, there are many kinds of entertainment. Mostly, because each country has its own name as well as the details of the game (though basically the rules aren’t different). And here they come.

What Is Pontoon

Perhaps, you could hear about another kind of blackjack - Pontoon, the other name of this game that is also a part of a big Twenty-One family. This is a British kind. In fact, it’s a big misconception that the game comes from blackjack, so they are just «brothers» of each other, while their old «ancestor» is the Spanish Vingt-Un.

Interesting to know: when a player gets a classic blackjack combination (A + 10, J, Q or K), in Pontoon it’s called a natural combination.

RTP of Blackjack: How Much to Win

The sum to win and the house edge both depend on blackjack RTP (Return to Player), so yes, casinos always have a kind of insurance - the sum to earn. But this sum is not as big as the chances of players to benefit from the game, so the RTP is mostly 99-99,5%, while the house edge is 0,5-1%. But be aware: when making side bets, the house edge increases and comes up to 15-17% or even more.

Pay attention: there are special calculators that can count your EV (expected value) according to your cards and the cards of the dealer. Other details like hitting/standing at soft 17 are also taken into account.

Strategies to Win More

In order to win more, players should both understand the basic rules and follow a certain strategy. And while some of them work quite efficiently, others shouldn’t be used at all. Here are some ideas of this sort.

1. When you double down in blackjack, it’s always a good idea when you understand how everything works. So it’s an opportunity to double the total prize.
2. Being afraid of busting is mostly a wrong position, so yes, it’s never good to be over 21, but you lose much more when standing at 14-16 when the dealer’s up card is, for example, 7.
3. There are some strategies you should avoid. They are all those random theories that aren’t based on Maths. For instance, the progressive strategy when you double the bet when winning at the previous round. So it’s always a bad idea to make any decisions without looking at the cards and estimating the current situation.

You can also learn more about blackjack: double your winnings by using the right strategy. So rules are important, but you can’t benefit a lot from just playing conventionally.

Tips to Improve Your Skills

Interesting blackjack tips can always come in handy. And when you learn more things about the game, you become a more experienced player with more chances to win as well. Yet, what should you learn about this game?

• Always find out the details before sitting at the table or launching an online game.
• There is no difference between online and real-life gameplay and the rules (if only the machine developers have added several special details).
• You can take part in any blackjack tournament, so it’s always an opportunity to compete with other players and gain new skills. 
• Practicing is always a good thing, so the more you play, the more experience you get.
• Play only at the casinos (online/land-based) you can trust: these sites or establishments should work under the license, the software must be tested and be supplemented by certain certificates.

Besides, you can read about famous authors and get acquainted with their books or guides, so most successful players are striving to become famous authors and share their knowledge as well.

About Card Shuffling

It’s important to understand not only how to play, but how this mechanism is working in general. And blackjack card shuffler types are also the things to know. There are 3 ways to shuffle the cards:

• hand shuffles (the method is slower than the automatic one, but those who want to see the shuffling process and make sure that everything is honest will enjoy it);
• ASM (automatic shuffles) - much faster than the previous method, the shuffling takes up to 30 seconds against 3 minutes hand shuffling requires;
• CSM (continuous shuffle machine).

As for the last one, this method is impossible to be beaten by players: usually 5 decks are continuously shuffled together, so gamblers can’t count the cards. 

Rest assured: the way your cards are shuffled doesn’t influence your EV (expected value) in blackjack.

Important to know: shuffle tracking means that a player tries to find out the sequences of cards through a series of shuffles. But experienced gamblers don’t recommend this method.

Common Names That Have Nothing in Common with Blackjack

A wordplay is always a common thing, and the fans of this card game can also face it. So there are some activities that have nothing in common with gambling, but still have the same name. Here they come.

1. Confusion for OSRS fans.
   Those who enjoy computer games have already used to meet the words that have common names in real life, but take on the other meanings when being applied in the world of gaming. For example, blackjacking in OSRS is not exactly what you could think about. So when a person looks for a OSRS blackjacking guide, it’s not about the cards strategy. It’s about dealing with a kind of weapons players of Old School RuneScape are trying to master.
2. Another Surprise for Sports Fans.
   This is another confusing thing that makes some readers feel a bit mixed-up. Imagine: you are looking for a strong bike that will be perfect for rocky hills and then find Durango Blackjack. Well, just keep in mind that it’s only the name of this model, so it has nothing in common with casino games.

Not only OSRS blackjacking shows that the game’s name has another meaning as well and it’s related to weapons. 

Interesting to know: a blackjack weapon is also called a sap. It’s a short and flat weapon that is illegal in most states and has nothing in common with gambling.   

FAQ: Details to Know About Blackjack

When you need more details about the game to delve into this entertainment a bit deeper, here is a detailed FAQ with the answers to learn more. Feel free to use the answers to absorb this activity.

What is blackjack and how to play it?

It’s a card game where you play against the dealer. Your task is to get more points than your opponent does, but not over 21. That’s why the card value is different, while you make a decision whether to stand or to take more cards.

Is blackjack fair when I play at a casino?

It depends on the casino you choose. If it’s a licensed establishment, regardless of whether it’s online or real-life, you can trust the game and the dealer. While unknown sites and gambling houses can cheat and influence the RTP so that players win less often (or even don’t win at all). So select the casino to play attentively to fully enjoy fair blackjack.

What is the best blackjack methode to win?

First of all, you have to understand the rules and rely on the basic strategy. Besides, you can use various tricks, but only while these tricks are based on maths.

What is the difference between pontoon and blackjack?

In fact, only its location: Pontoon is a British kind of a Vingt-Un or Twenty-One game, while blackjack is the American version of the game.

Where to start playing?
You can do it right now by visiting an online casino or preparing and visiting a real-life establishment. The only difference is that, for example, at Californian Commerce Casino blackjack minimum is definitely much higher than an online casino can have. Anyway, the rules are the same, so you won’t be mixed up.