If you landed here by chance, you must have probably been searching how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK, and the good news is that we’ve got you covered. Blackjack is undoubtedly one of the most popular table games out there, and definitely ranks in pole position amongst players in the UK.
Coming to life in French casinos sometime around the 18th century, blackjack was originally known as ‘vingt et un’ – the
game of 21, and is most likely derived from the classic game of Chemin de Fer, which was furiously popular at the time.
Even though there is an element of chance when it comes to this game, learning how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK effectively means that you’re going to have to brush up on your skills if you’re interested in getting further into the game.
There’s a strategic element to the game that’s required that will allow you to know when to pursue a hand aggressively, how to respond to the cards you’ve been dealt, and recognising when it’s just not your round and you’re better off folding.
All this and more compressed into this handy guide that’s designed to teach you how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK with grace and ease.
The Rules – How To Play Blackjack
Just like you’d imagine, a game that’s been around for hundreds of years
would evolve and change over the course of time, so in the name of keeping
things simple today we’ll focus specifically on how to play blackjack in
casinos in the UK rather than scanning every variant available. Get to know
the
live casino blackjack rules before you hit the tables.
The basic premise of the game is to beat the dealer, by trying to compile a
hand that’s as close to 21 in value without going over. This is known as
going bust in casino terms, and will automatically get you disqualified
from that particular round.
If you’re just learning how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK then
you’re probably going to want to keep in mind that as a player you’re able
to stand whenever your hand happens to be a hard 17 or higher, whereas the
dealer will always stand on a soft 17.
The next thing you’re going to want to figure out is what each card is
worth – so let’s start from the very beginning. All number cards will
retain their assigned numeric value irrespective of their suit, whereas all
face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) are worth 10 points each. The Ace is the
little maverick of this pack worth both one or 11 points depending on what
suits your current hand better.
In virtual blackjack then you’ll always play alone against the dealer,
however in live casino for instance there might be a possibility that you
might end up playing with multiple players at the table. The good news here
is that their skill level is irrelevant as even though they might be seated
at the same table you’ll always play directly against the dealer, which
could prove pretty handy especially if you’re just learning how to play
blackjack in a casino in the UK.
Now let’s get started – at the beginning of every round, you’ll be required
to make an entry bet in order to qualify for the game. You’ll then be dealt
two cards face down, and the dealer will deal one card face up and the
other face down to him/herself. You’re then able to decide whether you’d
like to ‘hit’, which involves drawing one or more additional cards, or
‘stand’ which essentially translates to sticking with what you’ve got.
In this case, the absolute best scenario includes a natural blackjack
that’s generally made up of a ten or face card along with an Ace (21
points) – the worst is probably a ‘push’ where both yourself and the dealer
are both holding a blackjack and the two hands cancel each other out.
In addition, just like you’re able to go bust so is the dealer. Should this
happen during your game round then you’ll be automatically granted a win
irrespective of your current hand which is pretty cool whenever that
happens.
Another thing you’re going to want to keep in mind when learning how to
play blackjack at a UK casino is the difference between a soft and a hard
hand. Soft hands usually feature an Ace card which as mentioned earlier on
is able to shift in value from one to 11, which implies that you’re able to
hit on that particular hand, whereas hard hands are those which are already
pretty high in value and one or two extra points could really tip you off
the edge. Knowing how to play blackjack correctly also includes being
intuitive enough to realise when it’s a good idea to hit, stand, fold, or
take any other action throughout the course of the game correctly. Take a
look at some of our casino table games at
Platincasino UK.
In-Game Blackjack Strategy – How To Make Your Moves Wisely
Apart from learning when to hit or stand, there are a couple of other possibilities you’re going to want to know about when learning how to play blackjack online in a casino in the UK. Here’s what to expect:
- Doubling Down
- Splitting Pairs
- Doubling Down after Splitting
- Taking out Insurance
Let’s take a closer look.
Doubling Down
Here’s a betting opportunity you might like to consider when you’re holding
a very strong hand. Essentially, doubling down allows you to double your
bet, which could ultimately imply doubling your potential win if you
successfully beat the dealer’s hand.
Splitting Pairs
In blackjack, whenever you’re handed two equal cards you’re able to call
for a split. This split pair will create two new hands, with additional
cards being added to each one. If you’re still learning how to play
blackjack in a casino in the UK then you’re going to want to keep in mind
that this strategic move is usually reserved to pairs of Aces or eights,
and this is mainly due to their value.
Two Aces together are worth 12 points max, but once split into two hands
could potentially turn into something significantly better, same goes for
two eights which are worth 16 points which is considered too high to hit
but too low to stand.
Doubling Down after Splitting
If you’ve split your first hand and the cards are looking good, there’s
also the option to double down straight after on both hands. Once again,
it’s highly recommended reserving this tactic for extremely strong hands.
Taking out Insurance
Whenever the dealer’s first card is an Ace then there’s the chance he or
she is sitting on a natural blackjack. This is when the insurance bet comes
into play, which basically includes a side bet based on the assumption that
the dealer’s hidden card is actually worth ten points.
Live Vs Online Blackjack – Play According To Your Preferences
Although online and
live dealer blackjack
are both played online, you will realise that they do have quite notable
differences between them.
For starters Live Blackjack offers more of an atmosphere because you also
get the opportunity to interact with the live dealers. Game developers of
today know exactly what they need to do to make a virtual game of blackjack
look like the real thing, and they do this by producing games with amazing
graphics and sound. The setup is very realistic and they really make you
feel that you are in a realistic blackjack scene.
In saying that, as advanced as developers are making such games you are
still going to feel that you are playing virtual blackjack, it is a bit
hard for any developer to replicate what goes on in the live dealer option.
When you opt to play live blackjack, you’ll be looking to witness the real
deal when it comes to cards and real tables, and you will also get a
glimpse of what is going on in other areas of the casino, such as the other
tables and dealers.
On average online blackjack features smaller minimum bets and to get a
taste of the traditional online blackjack variation you can bet as little
as £1. Since online blackjack is played without dealers gaming sites can
run the show with very little cost, contrary to live blackjack games that
incur dealer charges
Another good thing about the live version is that it comes with a social
element too, bringing players and dealers together through online chat
portals. This has to be somewhat better than playing your blackjack against
a software generated virtual dealer. There are many players who would still
go for the online version as they just want to get on with their game, but
there comes a time when everyone might need a bit of company.
Online blackjack lets you control the speed of your game too meaning that
when you find yourself contemplating on whether you should take another
card or bet more, you have all the time in the world to make sure you make
the right decision. When you are playing live this would not be the same.
In live blackjack you are given minutes and even seconds to decide on what
you want to do next, and some players find this a bit annoying.
A live blackjack game has limited seating too just like land-based casinos
whereas if you are playing online, you can always find a seat because the
operators can run as many games as their servers can handle.
Online blackjack games are always open although you may also find many live
casinos that stay open 24 hours, except the few that like to close in off
peak hours so that they save a bit of money on the live dealer wages.
Play Blackjack Games At Platincasino
Blackjack Strategy – Common Mistakes To Keep In Mind When Playing
If you’re only just learning how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK,
there are a couple of ground rules you’re going to want to keep in mind
when playing the game. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular case
scenarios out there.
| Rank | Common Mistake |
| 1 | Don’t Over rely On A Betting System |
| 2 | Study A Blackjack Chart |
| 3 | Never stand on a 12 that’s up against a five |
| 4 | Stand on a hard 16 if the dealer’s showing an Ace |
| 5 | Don’t double down on an 11 if the dealer’s got an Ace |
| 6 | Stand on a soft 18 when the dealer shows six or less. |
| 7 | Knowing what to do with a pair of twos |
| 8 | Don’t stand on a soft 18 when the dealer shows a nine |
1. Don’t over rely on a betting system
Some blackjack players firmly believe that by relying on a standard betting
system they’re able to eventually overcome the casino’s house edge. Some
popular systems in this regard include the Labouchere, D’Alembert, or
Martingale amongst others.
While these systems could prove to be useful in certain situations they are
definitely not fool proof. For this reason, it’s always sensible to keep
your gambling limits in mind and never going over what you originally
planned to budget for.
2. Not studying a blackjack strategy chart
With so much information concerned with how to play blackjack in a casino
in the UK out there, it’s always a really good idea to know the game inside
out before taking a seat at any table and gambling for real money. For this
reason, there are a number of blackjack strategy charts readily available
out there that are able to give you a clearer idea of how to act in certain
circumstances.
A couple of common blackjack mistakes include doubling down on an 11 when
the dealer is already showing an Ace, standing on a soft 18 when the
dealer’s face up card is a nine, splitting a pair of tens, or not splitting
a pair of eights for instance.
Blackjack strategy charts are usually colour coded to indicate favourable
hands and the times when you should consider hitting, standing, doubling
down, or ultimately folding, which could definitely be handy especially if
you’re still starting out.
Now let’s go ahead and take a look at some of the more specific in-game
scenarios you might come across when learning how to play blackjack in a
casino in the UK.
3. Never stand on a 12 that’s up against a five
The basic premise of blackjack always alludes to the fact that you should
never risk going bust if the dealer is showing a particularly weak face-up
card. Let’s say for instance that you’re currently sitting on a hand that’s
worth 12 points, and the dealer’s only showing a five – then by simple
mathematics the dealer needs to hit his/her hand at least twice before
hitting that hard 17. In this case, it’s always advisable to stand on 12
with the hope of the dealer busting along the way.
4. Stand on a hard 16 if the dealer’s showing an Ace
Hitting on a 16 can be painful sometimes because there’s a really big
chance that you might go bust. Nevertheless, sometimes you just got to keep
on going, so as a general rule you might want to consider always hitting on
a 16 if the dealer’s sitting on anything worth seven points or more.
5. Don’t double down on an 11 if the dealer’s got an Ace
Calling a double down bet on 11 points is usually the way to go, but never
if the dealer has already got an Ace showing. Generally speaking, with 11
points there’s always the chance of hitting and receiving a card that’s
worth 10 points in value, but with the dealer already showing an Ace
there’s a chance of losing your wager and hitting a push which makes it a
big no no in this case.
6. Stand on a soft 18 when the dealer shows six or less.
If you’re just learning how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK then
you probably would have already heard that you should generally stand on a
soft 18 – but just like everything else, this isn’t always the case.
Let’s say the dealer has an up-card that’s worth six or less, then there’s
a good chance he or she will go bust, so in this scenario should you be
standing on a soft 18 then it’s probably a good idea to double down to
increase any potential winnings should this theory prove correct.
7. Knowing what to do with a pair of twos
It might seem slightly demoralising if you’re handed a pair of twos the
first round, but the reality is that the outlook here is way more positive
than you might imagine. Hitting on four may seem obvious, but if the dealer
is currently showing a seven then it’s always recommended to split and
increase your wager with the hope that the dealer goes bust before you do.
8. Don’t stand on a soft 18 when the dealer shows a nine
Now here’s another tricky one, especially if you’re just getting started
with how to play blackjack in a casino in the UK. Essentially, if the
dealer shows a nine there’s a good chance that he or she is sitting on a
19, which would beat your 18 points in any case. For this reason, it’s
always a good idea to hit on a soft 18 at this stage in the game.
The Different Variations Of Blackjack Available At Platincasino UK
In this section, we will take a look at some of the different variations of
blackjack you can play at Platincasino UK. Once you pick your preferred
blackjack variation, don’t forget to claim your
welcome bonus when you sign up at Platincasino UK!
- European Blackjack MH – This variant of blackjack is very similar to any standard game of
blackjack. The main difference between European and American blackjack is
that the first uses two standard card decks whereas the latter uses up to
eight decks. - Speed Blackjack – Speed blackjack is a really fun blackjack version that’s all about quick
thinking. The basic rules are the same as standard blackjack. - Blackjack Azure – Blackjack Azure is an elegant, sophisticated version of blackjack with a
dark blue theme. Whoever decides the fastest will get to hit first. - Vegas Strip Blackjack – This is an online version of blackjack with a luxurious Las Vegas theme.
The aim of the game is the same as standard blackjack: beat the dealer by
getting as close to 21 as you can without going over. - Atlantic City Blackjack – Atlantic City blackjack is a version that gives you an even lower house
edge. This is because late surrender is allowed, and you can also double
down on any two cards. Doubling down after splitting is also allowed in
this version.
How To Play Casino Blackjack In The UK – FAQ
What does the term double down refer to?
This is a betting option reserved for the strongest hands. If you feel like there might be a solid opportunity to make this move, you’ll essentially be required to double your bet mid game with the opportunity of receiving a single card in return, which could prove pretty amusing if your predictions serve you well.
What’s the difference between a hard and a soft hand in blackjack?
The real difference here relies in a single card, that’s usually the Ace. If one of the two cards you’re dealt includes an Ace then you’ve just been dealt a soft hand. This is majorly due to the Ace’s ability of counting as both one or 11 points which gives you fluency in this case. If your original hand doesn’t contain an Ace, then it’s considered a hard hand in blackjack terms.
What happens when both the dealer and the player both have a blackjack or an equal score?
As mentioned earlier on, a tie in blackjack is referred to as a push and refers to a scenario where no one wins. In this case, your bet is returned as a whole, which means that no money is lost or paid out.
Why do some people strongly advise against taking an insurance bet?
Whenever the dealer’s face up card is an Ace there’s generally the chance of taking an insurance bet, which pays 2:1 should the dealer happen to be sitting on a natural blackjack. Most people would assume that taking out insurance is the way forward, however the more you learn how to play blackjack in a UK casino, the more you’ll realise that in most cases this is just an unfavourable bet in disguise from a mathematical point of view. Ultimately, this call is always left entirely up to you, however some of the more experienced players would probably agree that it’s never the best idea to take up insurance or additional side bets during a game of blackjack.
Is it better to play blackjack alone or at a full table?
In the game of blackjack, its always you against the dealer, irrespective of how many other players are sitting at the table. This makes it much easier to focus on your current hand without having to worry about other player’s skills and competences like you might have to in a game of poker for example. Having said so, if you’re just starting out with learning how to play blackjack at a casino in the UK, it’s always a good idea to start with a virtual table game at first and work your way up to a live casino table once you’ve really come to grips with the game and the strategy involved.
