UK Blackjack
Blackjack is the UK's most popular card
game, it's also known by a few other names such as Pontoon or simply
'21'. Blackjack is a very simple game which is easy to learn and
straight forward to play.
Many blackjack tables now include side
bets, such as 21+3, pairs plus or 'top 3', some casino's have now started
introducing the Aces side bet too but this isn't proving very popular
amongst players.
The game itself is easy, the player and
the dealer are both dealt 2 cards, both of the players cards and one of
the dealers cards are dealt face up. You then have the choice to 'hit'
or 'stand' to get as close to 21 as you can without going over, 22 or
more and you lose instantly.
The decision to hit or stand (sometimes
called twist or stick) is also based upon the one dealers card that you
see, if the dealer has a good first card (ie 10+ or A) then you're more
inclined to try for a higher hand, knowing that the dealer has a good
chance of turning over another high card.
The main Blackjack rules and notes are:
The dealer has to reach 17 before
standing and can't take anymore cards once 17 or more has been reached,
the player can stand or hit on any number except 21.
If the player has 2 cards the same you
can then split them, doubling your stake and creating 2 separate hands.
The player can 'double' on any hand, by
doubling your stake you get one more card only, usually a good choice on
10 or 11 against a poor dealer card.
If the player and the dealer both reach
the same total then it's a 'push' and the players money is returned,
excluding any side bets.
Blackjack nearly always pays extra, so
if you get 10A, JA, QA, KA with a 50 bet, the total return would be 125.
Some casinos offer even money if you
have Blackjack and the dealer has an Ace, basically you would double
your money without seeing the second dealers card, if you choose not to
take this option and the dealer has blackjack then you just get your
stake back.
Blackjack is generally played using 4
or 6 decks of cards.
Blackjack also has very popular side bets, the main
ones in the UK are:
Pairs plus: This is based on the players first 2
cards, if you get 2 cards the same then you win a multiplier, this
varies but is generally 5-1 for a mixed pair, 10-1 for a pair the same
colour and 30-1 for a pair the same suit.
21+3: This is basically 3 card poker hands based on
your first 2 cards and the dealers face up card, so if you had 7/8 and
the dealer had a 9 you would win, the odds remain the same for all hands
which are generally 9-1 and the hands include... Flush, 3 of a kind,
straight, straight flush.
Top 3: The top 3 blackjack side bet is one of my
favourites, usually this is on tables alongside the 21+3 side bet and
that has to be played in order for you to play this one too. This pays
on the best 3 poker hands based on your 2 cards and the dealers first
card, the general odds are; 90/1 for a 3 of a kind, 180-1 for a straight
flush and 270-1 for a 3 of a kind suited.
You can play blackjack online for free to practice
your game or if you're feeling lucky you can claim £20 completely free
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18+ Gamble Responsibly - www.begambleaware.org - Ts & Cs apply when playing for real money
