Blackjack is fairly straightforward once you grow accustomed to playing it. Blackjack rules are not set in stone. In fact, they vary from game to game depending on a small set of variables that the house chooses for the game.

Generally stated, each blackjack player competes only against the dealer, not against other players. Your goal as the player is to beat the dealer by drawing cards until your hand comes close to 21, without exceeding it. If your first two cards total 21, you have what is known as a 'natural blackjack'. If the dealer gets closer to 21 than you without going over themselves, they win.

Learning to play blackjack online is a great deal easier than trying to learn at a table in a land-based casino. Besides the pressure you feel from the players around you, there is also pressure from facing the dealer. Playing online eases this concern, as you may play unlimited amounts of blackjack on our free play version before placing any real bets. To try playing for free, download our casino software suite; it includes both free and real versions of all our popular games.

Playing blackjack online is very simple, since the software won't let you make any real errors. Playing is as simple as clicking your mouse. To place a bet simply click on a chip and the software will automatically place this chip in the betting area for you. To remove a bet, right click on the stack in the betting area.

Blackjack rules for the dealer are very simple. If the dealer's hand is 16 or less, they must take a card. If the dealer's hand is 17 or more, they must stand. Note that some casinos allow the dealer to hit on soft 17, which gives the house a very small additional advantage. In the Golden Palace software the dealer must stand on all seventeen's.

Dealers Busting Cards

The concept of dealers busting cards is one of the most essential things to know about while you play. The majority of your decisions will be influenced by the dealer's up-card, or displayed card. If the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6, they are known as busting cards. Essentially, if the dealer has this as their up-card, it's not a bad idea to assume they have a card with a value of 10 as their hole card. If we take that assumption one step further, we realize the dealer is likely holding either a 14, 15, or 16. Since we know the dealer must draw cards until they reach seventeen, we know they would have to hit a 14, 15, or 16. Since we can presume (not with perfect confidence by any means) that the dealer will also draw a 10-value card, the totals of 14, 15, or 16 are likely to cause the dealer to bust.

4, 5, and 6 as dealer up-cards are thus commonly called 'dealer busting cards', and offer an added opportunity in the game. If the dealer shows busting cards, you may be more inclined to double down or split where you wouldn't normally.

Splitting a Pair

When you are dealt a pair of like cards in blackjack, you have the option to split them. The rule of thumb is, always split Aces and 8s.

For example, you are dealt two 8's on your initial cards. If you split those (a good idea) you will be playing two separate hands, each starting with an 8. Probability dictates that you should get two eighteens out of the deal, instead of a paltry 16 which you originally had in your hand. You can also gauge your decision to split by looking at the dealer\'s cards and seeing if they are bust cards. This goes both ways though, as some times it is best to stand on a low total if the dealer is showing busting cards. More on Splitting and How to Win

Doubling Down

Doubling down is the act of increasing your bet mid-hand when you see a good opportunity. The primary 'good opportunity' available at the blackjack table is the dealer showing busting cards. This concept becomes very important in the case of doubling down. The majority of casinos allow you to double down on 9, 10, or 11. Always double down on these totals if the dealer has busting cards showing. Otherwise, double down at your own discretion. It is best to always double down on an 11 as it gives you a great chance at a good hand, but never double down on 11 when the dealer is showing an Ace, because if you achieve a 21 and the dealer does also, the dealer always wins.

To try playing for free, download our casino software suite; it includes both free and real versions of all our popular games.