When it comes to blackjack rules, there is a little more to know than just what plays are allowed and how those plays work.
First you must place your bet before any cards can be dealt. All this requires is a few clicks of your mouse. Betting increments in most online casinos will start at $1 and go up to $100, some sites’ maximum bet caps out at $500. Once your bet is placed, click the “Deal” button to receive your cards. At this point you will also see the dealer’s up card. Depending on which version of blackjack you are playing, European or Vegas Strip, the game may be over before it has really begun. In Vegas Strip and Atlantic City blackjack, the dealer gets to peek to see whether he has blackjack or not. If he does the game is over then, all players lose. The dealer does not peek in European blackjack.
It is a common misconception that the objective of blackjack is to only get a blackjack or a card total of 21. This is not the true objective—it is important but not the point of the game. The most important rule of blackjack is its true objective: beat the dealer without getting a card total of more than 21. Beating the dealer is the key to winning a round because what happens when both you and the dealer have blackjack? It is called a push and you don’t lose but you don’t win either; think of it as a tie. Or what happens when neither you nor the dealer has blackjack? Whoever has the highest card total that is still less than 21 wins. This is why beating the dealer is the most important objective of the game.
So if you are not dealt 21 how do you increase your card total in hopes of beating the dealer? This is accomplished one of three ways. The first and easiest way is to be dealt what is known as a natural blackjack, or two cards that total 21. The next option is to hit, or continue being dealt cards, until either you reach a total that you wish to stand with or your total exceeds 21 and you bust. Or you can stand without receiving any more cards. Once you choose to stand, the dealer’s hand is played out. If you win you receive your payout. Then the process starts all over again.
Now there is a difference in payouts between blackjack and having a card total of 21. Blackjack is being dealt two cards that equal 21 without having to hit for more cards. Blackjacks are the hands that are eligible for the 3:2 payout. Hitting that results in a card total of 21 results in a 2:1 payout since it does beat the dealer, but it is not a blackjack. The only time a card total of 21 does not receive a payout is when the dealer also has 21. This becomes a push, and your bet is returned to you.