Bitcoin Blackjack

Bitcoin Blackjack is no different to the blackjack you play in a land based casino.

Blackjack is a very popular casino game, it’s popularity is partly due to the fact that in theory it is beatable, at least when only one deck of cards is used. The fact that blackjack can be legally beaten by a skilled player attracts many professional and amateur players alike to the game. In the world of online casinos where many decks are used, while the games are often not actually beatable – you can still lower the house edge significantly – by learning a solid basic strategy.

In the following guide we explain the most common rules of blackjack and then present you with a strategy to employ that should help you ensure you spend more time sitting playing and less walking to the cashier to reload your chips. The advantage with bitcoin blackjack over conventional blackjack of course is you get to withdraw your winnings within hours on many sites.

The rules of Blackjack

Blackjack is played against the house, the object of the game is to score a total of 21 points with your cards,but you must not exceed 21. If you beat the score of the dealer you win the hand, but if you exceed 21 points with your own hand, no matter what hand the dealer has you bust and automatically lose the hand.

Scoring

Points are scored according to the value of the cards you have in your hand.

Deuce through ten score  the face value of the cards, for example if you hold an eight of hearts your card is worth 8 points.

Picture cards: Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 points each.

The Ace is unique in that it can score either 1 point or 11 points depending on what value would give the better total hand score.

Playing the game

Play begins when you place a bet, once you have placed a bet you are dealt two cards (the dealer is also dealt two cards, along with any other players in the game). Upon receiving two cards you have a number of options to consider.

Hit or Stand

Your first decision is if you should stand or hit. If you stand you receive no further cards and your final score is the value of the cards in your hand. If you hit you receive a further card. After you hit if the total value of your cards is more than 21 you bust and lose the hand, if you score less than 21 you may continue hitting until you are satisfied with your hand.

Doubling Down

Doubling down is an option available after the first two cards have been dealt. If you like your hand you are permitted to place one more bet equal to the original bet that you placed at the start of the hand. For example if you bet $25 originally, you can double down and now your bet is $50, you receive one more card and then automatically stand. When you have doubled down you can not ask for any more cards after the third card.

Splitting

If you are dealt two cards of the same value you may split them into two separate playing hands. The two hands become two separate bets, and you are not usually permitted to hit, double down or re-split after splitting your cards.

Push

If both the dealer and the player have the same hand value, no money exchanges hands and the game is considered a draw.

Bitcoin Blackjack in practice

Check out the following examples to see how this works in practice:

In this example we were originally dealt an ace and a nine. Our hand is worth 20 right now which is a good hand in blackjack (remember the object of the game is to score 21). We decided to stand. The dealer then took their next card and received a picture card giving them a score of 20 also. Because we both scored the same the result was push and no money changed hands.

In this second example, we were originally dealt a Jack and a Three, giving us a total score of thirteen. We decide to hit and take another card and now scored seventeen with the addition of the four. We then decided to hit again but unfortunately bust! Meaning we lost the hand and the dealer won.

Bitcoin Blackjack Strategy

The following basic strategy will give you a decent chance of coming close to beating the house. Once you learn this strategy do not deviate from it because you have a gut feeling of what the next card will be! With so many bitcoin casinos offering bonuses, if you run well, this bitcoin blackjack strategy will give you the best chance possible of walking about from the table with a winning session.

Always split, hit or double down until you have a hand worth at least 12 points:

Next start with your first two cards and check the list:

Hard Hand

• 12 – Stand against a dealer upcard of 4, 5 or 6, otherwise hit
• 13 – Stand against a dealer upcard of 2 through 6, otherwise hit
• 14 – Stand against a dealer upcard of 2 through 6, otherwise hit
• 15 – Stand against a dealer upcard of 2 through 6, otherwise hit
• 16 – Stand against a dealer upcard of 2 through 6, otherwise hit
• 17 – Stand on 17 or higher unless you have a split or soft hand

Hard Doubles

• 9 – double against a dealer upcard of 3 through 6, otherwise hit
• 10 – double against a dealer upcard of 2 through 9, otherwise hit
• 11 – double against a dealer upcard of 2 through 10, otherwise hit

Pair Splits

• 2/2 – Split against a dealer upcard of 2 through 7, otherwise hit
• 3/3 – Split against a dealer upcard of 2 through 7, otherwise hit
• 4/4 – Hit
• 5/5 – Use doubling rules as a ten
• 6/6 – Split against a dealer upcard of 2 through 6, otherwise hit
• 7/7 – Split against a dealer upcard of 2 through 7, otherwise hit
• 8/8 – Always split
• 9/9 – Always split except against a dealer upcard of 7, 10 or ace
• 10/10 – Never split
• A/A – Always split

Soft Hands

• A2/A3 – Double down against a dealer upcard of 5 or 6, otherwise hit
• A4/A5 – Double down against a dealer upcard of 4, 5, or 6, otherwise hit
• A6 – Double against a dealer upcard of 3, 4, 5 or 6, otherwise hit
• A7 – Double against a dealer upcard of 3, 4, 5 or 6. Stand against 2, 7 or 8. Hit against a 9, ten or ace.

Bitcoin makes blackjack extremely accessible. With many casinos also offering live bitcoin blackjack, the thrilling live casino experience of blackjack is now more accessible than ever.