Welcome to SKI Blackjack, the site where you can improve your skills, knowledge and understanding of the game of 21.

Blackjack is a hugely popular card game that has a long and rich history. It is also incredibly easy to learn, so newcomers to the game need not fear. You will find everything you need to know here!

One of the key appeals of the game is that the outcome does not rely purely on chance. The decisions and actions you take as a player can influence your chances of success. Let’s start with the basics about how to play the game.

The Aim of the Game and How to Play

The aim of blackjack is to beat the dealer. You can achieve this through a variety of ways. Either by getting blackjack (an ace and a 10 valued card) without the dealer having blackjack, by getting a final card count which is closer to 21 than that of the dealer (without exceeding 21), or by having a total hand value of 21 or under and the dealer busting.

Cards with a face value of 2 – 10 are equal to their respective value. The face cards, Jack, Queen and King all have a value of 10. The Ace can be counted as 1 or 11, with the value always working in the favour of the player.

Whether you play in a land based casino or online, the way to play is the same. In order to play the game, you first need to place a bet on the table. You will then be dealt 2 cards, face up. The dealer also gets 2 cards, with one facing up and one facing down. You will then have a selection of actions which you can take.

Insurance?

If the dealer’s up card is an ace, you will be offered the option to place an insurance bet. The bet is half the amount of your original wager and its purpose is to protect you against a loss in the case that the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal. If the dealer does have blackjack, your insurance bet will be paid out at 1:1. Unless you also have blackjack, your starting bet is lost. Yet the payout on the insurance bet means that you will break even.

Hit or Stand

If your starting hand does not contain a natural blackjack, you will then need to make a decision as to what action to take. If you are happy with the total value of your hand, you can stand, and play moves to the next player. If you are playing an online RNG version of the game, you are the only player, so the play passes directly back to the dealer. Alternatively, you can opt to hit, meaning you will be dealt another card. You can hit as many times as you like, so long as your card total does not exceed 21.

Double Down

If you select this option, you will be required to place an additional bet, of an equal value to your starting bet. Once this has been done, you will draw just 1 more card from the deck, after which you will stand.

Split

If you have 2 cards of the same value in your starting hand, you have the option to split the pair. An additional wager will be placed and you will then play the cards as 2 separate hands which are independent of one another. The dealer will deal another card to the first hand, and you will make the usual decisions of whether to hit, stand or double down. Once play on the hand is completed, the next hand will be played. It is worth noting that blackjack is paid out at 1:1 on a split hand, rather than the usual payout of 3:2. In the situation where you split a pair of aces, you will usually only be allowed to draw one more card per hand.

The Dealer’s Turn and Payout of Winnings

Once all players have completed their turn, it is then time for the dealer to play their hand. The dealer will turn over their hole card to reveal its value. If the cards do not contain blackjack, then the dealer must take action. The dealer follows a specific set of rules which determine what actions they can take. In most variants, the dealer must hit until they reach a total card value of 17 or above, at which point they will stand. At this point, the dealer’s hand is compared to the other player’s hands to determine what payouts are made.

Payouts

When a player has blackjack and the dealer does not, they are awarded a payout of 3 to 2. So if you bet £10, you would get a payout of £15, plus your £10 stake is returned. Players who have a higher card value than the dealer (without busting) get a payout of 1 to 1. In this case, a £10 bet would get a £10 payout, plus you take back your stake. If the player’s hand is equal in value to the dealer (this includes the scenario where both the player and the dealer have blackjack) the result is a push. Here, the bet is not paid out or collected, it is simply returned to the player. A natural blackjack beats a hand with 3 or more cards that total 21.

Blackjack Strategy and Innovative Variants

Now you know the rules of the classic game of blackjack and how to play, the next step is understanding how to optimise your chances of success. From following a basic blackjack strategy, to card counting, you can use your skills to boost your success and enjoyment of the game.

A highlight of playing blackjack online is that you can find a rich and diverse selection of game variants. You will find plenty of innovative versions of the game of 21 which have interesting and unusual twists on classic game rules. There are also a range of interesting side bets available which can make the game even more exciting, plus they provide the potential for big payouts.

Have a look around this site for more useful and interesting articles about blackjack. We will help you up your game and get the most out of playing the game.