Casino Blackjack Card Counting System Guide
21 Blackjack, or “Twenty-One” or “Blackjack,” is a popular card game. The goal is to make the total value of your cards as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21. In the game, numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10 points, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points.
In Blackjack, players and the dealer take turns drawing cards. Players can choose to stop drawing cards or continue, but if the player exceeds 21 points (called a “bust”), they lose to the dealer. The dealer follows specific rules for drawing cards, usually continuing to draw if their total is less than 17, and stopping once it reaches 17 or higher.
If neither the player nor the dealer busts, their card totals are compared, and the player with the higher total wins. If the player and dealer have the same total, it results in a tie.
21 Card Hands and Point Calculation
| Poker Card Faces | Calculation Method and Explanation |
|---|---|
| Card values 2-9 | Counted according to their original value. |
| Card values 10, Jack (J), Queen (Q), King (K) | All are counted as 10 points (represented by "T", which stands for Ten). |
| Card value Ace (A) | The Ace can be counted as either 1 point or 11 points. The rule is that when standing, the total value of your hand should not exceed 21 points. (For example: 10 + Ace = 21 points, or 5 + Jack + Ace = 16 points). |
Learn these 7 points and you’ll understand the rules of Casino Blackjack!
There are many different variations of Blackjack, but the basic rules are similar.
- Each game is played with one dealer and multiple players.
- At the start, each player receives two cards. The dealer reveals one card, and the other card is face down.
- The players and the dealer try to get their card total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21.
- Players act first and can choose to “hit” (draw a card) or “stand” (keep their current hand). If a player busts (exceeds 21), they lose automatically to the dealer.
- Once all players have chosen to stand, the dealer reveals their face-down card. The dealer then follows specific rules, such as continuing to draw cards if their total is less than 17, and stopping once it reaches 17 or higher.
- If the dealer busts, all players who have not busted win. If the dealer and player have the same total, it results in a tie.
- The player with the higher total wins.
Note： In Blackjack, the Ace can be worth either 1 or 11 points. Players usually decide whether the Ace is worth 1 or 11 based on their current total.
Casino Blackjack Payout Rules and Special Regulations
| Main Game | Payout Ratio |
|---|---|
| Main Bet | 1：1 |
| Insurance | 1：2 |
| Blackjack | 1：1.5 |
| Illustration | 21+3 Side Bet Rules | Payout Ratio |
|---|---|---|
 |
Suited Three of a Kind | 1：100 |
 |
Straight Flush | 1：40 |
 |
Three of a Kind | 1：30 |
 |
Straight | 1：10 |
 |
Flush | 1：5 |
| Illustration | Perfect Pairs Side Bet Rules | Payout Ratio |
|---|---|---|
 |
Perfect Pair | 1：25 |
 |
Colored Pair | 1：12 |
 |
Mixed Pair | 1：6 |
Insurance： If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the player can buy insurance by betting half their original wager. This side bet depends on whether the dealer’s first two cards will total 21 (a Blackjack). If the dealer does not have Blackjack, the insurance bet is immediately lost. However, if the dealer has Blackjack, the player receives a payout of twice the insurance bet.
Double Down： If the player’s first two cards have a total value of 11, they can choose to double their bet. However, after doubling down, the player will only receive one additional card. Some games allow doubling down when the first two cards total 10 (or even any total).
Split： If the player’s first two cards have the same value, they can choose to split them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to the original wager. Each hand will then be played separately. If the player splits two Aces, each Ace will receive only one additional card, and no further hits are allowed. In some games, re-splitting is not allowed after the initial split.
Pair： In the betting area, there is a “Pair” section where players can place a bet simultaneously. If the cards dealt in that round form a pair (same rank and suit), the payout is 25 times the bet. If it is a Colored Pair, the payout is 12 times the bet, and for a Pair (same rank, any suit), the payout is 6 times the bet.
Blackjack (21 Points)： Also known as “Natural” Blackjack. If the player’s hand consists of an Ace (which counts as 11 points) and a 10-point card (King, Queen, Jack, or 10), the hand is called Blackjack (21 points). In this case, the dealer must pay the player 1.5 times (or 1.2 times) the original bet.
Five Dragons (Five Card Charlie)： If the player draws cards until they have 5 cards without busting (going over 21 points), the hand is called “Five Dragons” or “Five Card Charlie.” The player can then claim 3 times their original bet from the deal.
Straight： In the betting area, there is a “21+3” section where players can place a side bet. If the dealer’s first card and the player’s first two cards form a consecutive sequence (straight), the payout is 10 times the bet.
Flush： In the betting area, there is a “21+3” section where players can place a side bet. If the dealer’s first card and the player’s first two cards are of the same suit, the payout is 5 times the bet.
Three of a Kind： In the betting area, there is a “21+3” section where players can place a side bet. If the dealer’s first card and the player’s first two cards form a hand with three matching ranks (three of a kind), the payout is 30 times the bet.
Straight Flush： In the betting area, there is a “21+3” section where players can place a side bet. If the dealer’s first card and the player’s first two cards form a hand with the same suit and in a consecutive sequence (straight flush), the payout is 40 times the bet.
Suited Three of a Kind： In the betting area, there is a “21+3” section where players can place a side bet. If the dealer’s first card and the player’s first two cards form a hand with the same suit and three matching ranks (suited three of a kind), the payout is 100 times the bet. This situation can occur simultaneously with a Blackjack (21 points).
Push： If the dealer and the player tie on points (neither has busted), or both have a Blackjack, it is considered a push. In this case, the player gets their original bet back.
Surrender： Before any player hits, the player can choose to surrender and forfeit half of their original bet. This is commonly known as “surrender and lose half.”
Blackjack Terminology
Whether you’re a beginner at Blackjack (21 Points) or just starting, understanding some of the common Blackjack terms will help you get the hang of the game faster. Below are 12 commonly used terms to help you participate more smoothly at the Blackjack table.
| Common Blackjack Terms | Term Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hit | If the player feels that the total value of their hand is not enough to beat the dealer, they can choose to take another card. |
| Stand | If the player believes their hand is strong enough, they can choose to stand and not take any more cards. |
| Split | When the player has two identical cards, they can choose to split them into two separate hands and place a separate bet on each hand. |
| Bust | If the total value of the player's hand exceeds 21 points, they bust, revealing all their cards. In this case, the player's bet is lost to the dealer. |
| Insurance | If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the player can place an insurance bet, which is half of their original bet, to wager on whether the dealer's two cards will total 21 points. |
| Double | If the total value of the player's first two cards is 11 points, they can choose to double their bet. |
| Surrender | If the player feels their hand is poor, they can choose to surrender, forfeiting half of their original bet. |
| Push | If the player and the dealer have the same point total, it’s a push, and the player gets their original bet back. |
| Blackjack | The player's hand consists of an Ace and a 10-point card (10, Jack, Queen, King), totaling 21 points. |
| Straight | A combination of cards "6, 7, 8" totaling 21 points. This results in a payout of 3 times the bet. |
| Three of a Kind (7s) | A combination of three "7" cards totaling 21 points. This results in a payout of 3 times the bet. |
| Five Dragons | If the dealer draws five cards without busting, the player must pay 3 times the bet. |
Master Blackjack Basic Strategy in Seconds
Blackjack is a skill-based game. Here are some basic strategies that can help improve your chances of winning when playing Blackjack：
- When your hand total is less than 17, hit. This is because, in this situation, you have a chance to improve your hand without busting.
- When your hand total is 17 or greater but less than 21, stand. In this case, you have a good chance of winning or tying with the dealer without risking busting.
- When you have an Ace and the total is 11, be cautious. If you decide to count the Ace as 1 to avoid busting, you might end up losing more hands.
- When your hand total is greater than 11 but less than or equal to 17, hit. If you draw a 10-point card, your hand total will likely exceed the dealer’s, giving you a good chance to win.
- When the dealer’s upcard is 4, 5, or 6, hit. This is because the dealer is likely to bust in this situation.
- When the dealer’s upcard is 2, 3, or 7, stand. In this situation, the dealer has a strong chance of winning.
- When the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, hit. There is a possibility that you could still win by improving your hand.
Remember, these strategies are just general guidelines. In reality, you need to make appropriate decisions based on the specific situation.
Using Blackjack Card Counting Technique – High-Low (Hi-Lo) Card Counting System
Keep track of the cards that the dealer has already dealt, recording the value of each card, and calculate the total. The values of the cards are as follows：
| Basic Blackjack Card Counting Scoring | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Card Face | 2、3、4、5、6 | 7、8、9 | 10、J、Q、K、A |
| Value | +1 | 0 | -1 |
List the cards that have already been dealt according to the card values table above, and calculate the sum. After adding everything up, there will be both positive and negative totals：
- If the total is a ‘negative’ number, it indicates that most of the cards already dealt are high cards, and there are more ‘low cards’ remaining in the deck.
- If the total is a ‘positive’ number, it indicates that there are more high cards remaining in the deck.
If there are more low cards remaining in the deck and your hand total is below 17, you can choose to continue hitting.
House Edge for Different Casino Game Types
| Casino Game Types | House Edge |
|---|---|
| American Roulette | 5.26% |
| Baccara | 1.01%-15.75% |
| Blackjack | 0.5% |
| Craps | 0-16.67% |
| Lottery | 20%-40% |
| Slot Machines | 2%-15% |
| Texas Hold'em | 2.36% |
| Sic Bo | 2.78%-33.33% |
In the rules of Blackjack, even when playing with optimal strategy, the house edge remains at 0.5%. This means that, on average, for every 1000 units wagered, you will lose 5 units.
These advantages are primarily due to the following factors:
- Dealer Acts First: After all players have stood, the dealer will decide whether to take additional cards based on fixed rules and can win by taking advantage of players’ busts.
- Dealer Doesn’t Bust: The dealer adjusts their strategy according to the game situation, so they are less likely to bust due to reckless play, making it easier for them to win.
- Players Busting: Players may bust due to greed or overly aggressive play, leaving the dealer an opportunity to win.
- Dealer Has a Deeper Understanding of the Game: The dealer understands the players’ drawing strategies and can better judge their moves.
International Casino Blackjack Rules: Here’s How to Play Online Blackjack
Blackjack is a popular card game where the goal is to make the total value of your hand as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21.
The rules of Blackjack are as follows：
- The player and the dealer each draw two cards.
- The player acts first and can choose to hit (draw a card) or stand (keep their hand).
- If the player chooses to hit, they draw one more card. If the player’s hand value is 21 or more, they bust and lose to the dealer.
- The player can choose to hit multiple times or stand until they feel their hand is close enough to 21 or better.
- Once all players have stood, the dealer reveals their second card. The dealer follows fixed rules, such as: if the player’s total is less than 17, the dealer must hit; otherwise, the dealer stands.
- If the dealer’s total is 21 or higher, they bust, and all players who have not busted win.
- The player’s hand is then compared to the dealer’s hand. The player with the higher total wins. If the totals are the same, it’s a tie (push).
In Vegas11, there are live dealer Blackjack rooms available from Evolution, Playtech, SA, and Ezugi. Additionally, there are electronic Blackjack games, which can be found in Jili, Funia, Relax, and NetEnt, with a total of 5 electronic game options.
More articles to share： Vegas11
