Introduction to Blackjack
The long wait is over: the most requested game Blackjack finally arrives at Peergame!
Blackjack is one of the most widely played card games around the world. With its simple rules, thrilling plays, and extremely low house edge, Blackjack attracts players from beginners to experts, and it can literally be found in any casino.
Although the basic goal and rules of the game are simple, there are many special situations and a variety of bets that can cause some confusion for newbies. This post will guide you through the basics of Blackjack, from card values and betting rules, to side bets and dealers rules.
Peergame’s Blackjack uses 4 decks in play, which is considered to give players a much higher edge compared to the mostly used 6-deck game. After each round, cards are shuffled before the next round begins.
Unlike other games at Peergame, Blackjack requires a ‘table deposit’ to play. All other games are round-based, which ends with a single initial bet. However, Blackjack requires multiple bets to be made in a single round in certain situations, such as doubling down, insurance, or splitting, which is why a table deposit is necessary. Players can add balance to table deposits at any time and can withdraw their balance back to their wallets at any time. Detailed information about table deposits can be found in this blog post.
Basic Rules
The object of the Game
The object is to beat the dealer. In order to do so, the player’s hand must be closer to 21 than the dealer’s, but must not exceed 21.
Card Values
Cards 2~10 simply have their printed value. Face cards(J, Q, K) have a value of 10. Ace cards can be either 1 or 11, depending on which better helps to achieve the object.
Hand
The addition of all the cards’ values in someone’s hand is simply called a hand.
Push
If the dealer and player’s hands are equal, the result is a push, meaning the player simply gets the wager back.
Busting
If a hand exceeds 21, it is considered a bust. If a player busts, the dealer wins. If a player did not bust, and the dealer busts, the player wins.
Table Rules
Betting
Players must make a bet in order to start the game. Players have the option to bet on the side bets but cannot start the round by only making side bets. A main(center) bet on the hand is required.
Hard/Soft Hands
A hand with an Ace card is considered a soft hand, as the value of Ace can change between 11 and 1. A hard hand is one that doesn’t contain an Ace or one with an Ace but that can’t be counted as an 11 because it will go over 21.
Blackjack and Payout
Getting a Blackjack(first 2 cards = 21) pays out 3 to 2. However, there are circumstances in which a blackjack could pay 1 to 1(even money), which we will get into later.
Betting Rules
Deal
When the round starts, 2 cards will be dealt with both dealer and player. One of the dealer’s cards will be dealt face down.
Hit
By hitting, you will receive another card from the deck. You can hit as many times as you want, until either you reach 21 or bust.
Stand
If you think you have a good hand, you can end your turn by standing. You can stand with just the first 2 dealt cards, or you can stand after you hit to make a better hand.
Split
If you received 2 same cards upon deal, you have the option to split. In order to split, you must place another bet equal to your original bet for the second hand. By splitting, you now have two hands and have to decide either to hit or stand for both hands. In Peergame Blackjack, you can only split once.
Double(Down)
Double down can only be done on your first initial 2 cards in your hand, which means you cannot double down after hitting. Doubling down allows you to double your initial bet for your hand. By doing so, you can only receive one additional card and automatically stand, meaning you will end up with 3 cards for your hand. You may not double down after splitting.
Insurance
You will be asked if you want insurance or not when the dealer has an Ace card facing up. If you take the insurance, you bet half of your initial bet on the dealer having a Blackjack. If you are correct, you will be paid out 2:1 on your insurance bet, which results in 0 loss even with Blackjack on the dealer’s hand. If you do not accept and the dealer has a Blackjack, you lose. If the dealer’s hand is not a Blackjack, you lose the insurance money and the game continues on.
Even Money
When you have a Blackjack and the dealer’s card facing up is an Ace, you will be asked if you want “even money”. By accepting even money, you will receive a 1:1 payout on your bet before the dealer checks if it has a Blackjack. If you do not accept and the dealer has a Blackjack, the bet is pushed. If the dealer’s hand is not a Blackjack, you receive a 3:2 Blackjack payout.
Dealer Rules
The dealer must always hit when its hand is 16 or lower. The dealer will always stand if the hand is 17 or higher. The only exception to this rule is when the dealer’s hand is soft 17(Ace+6) in which case, the dealer must hit.
Side Bet
The side bet is a crucial part of Blackjack that makes the game more exciting and thrilling. It gives the players a chance to make huge profits with a small bet amount. But of course, you must remember that the likelihood of hitting those huge payouts is low: classic high risk, high return.
Peergame Blackjack offers two side bets: Perfect Pair and 21+3
Perfect Pair ( PP )
PP side bet is based on the player’s first two cards. If the two dealt cards have the same value – a pair – then the player wins.
21+3
Think of 21+3 as a three-card poker, which uses two cards from the player’s hand and the dealer’s card facing up. Just like in poker, the better the combination, the bigger the payout.
Now let’s play some Blackjack!
Now that you have been introduced to Blackjack, it is time to try it out on Peergame, the world’s first on-chain Blackjack! We recommend that you start playing with just the regular bet on the hand, and then move on to side bets and doubling down for bigger wins. To celebrate the launch, we will be hosting various promotional events so be sure to participate and claim your prize!
And always remember to play responsibly. Good Luck!
