There are numerous different variations of blackjack but the aim of the game always stays the same: to get 21 points. The Classic Blackjack is the first blackjack ever and is the basis for all other variations which are developed in the past years. Other names for Classic Blackjack can also be twenty-one, Spanish 21, vingt-et-un, etc. Classic Blackjack is not hard to learn and is a lot of fun to play.

How to play Classic Blackjack

The aim of classic blackjack is to get 21 points or as close as possible to 21 with the cards on your hands. With classic blackjack just one complete deck of cards is being used. The face cards are all worth 10 points, the numbered cards are worth their number and the Ace can count as 1 or 11 points.
First the dealer/bank will shuffle the cards and all players can place their wager. After that the each player will receive two cards, face up. The bank will only receive one card, face down, and will receive a second card later.
If a player or the bank has an Ace and a ten card it is called a natural blackjack. In the case the players has a natural and nobody else does the player has won. But if the bank has got a natural and the player to it is called a tie and the player will receive his/her bet back. A natural always defeats a hand with 21 points.
If nobody has a blackjack the game will continue and the players are allowed to receive another card. The bank however has some rules about taking another card; if he has a total of 16 points or less on his hand he has to take another card, if his total hand is 17-21 points he is not allowed to take another card.

In the case a player receives two initial cards (two 8′or two kings, etc) he or she is allowed to split the cards once per hand. He/she can now play with two hands.
Classic blackjack is won by the person who has 21 points or as close to 21 as possible. A player can win if his/her hand is 21 points or less but a higher total value than the hand of the bank. If any person has over 21 points they always lose.

There is also something like an insurance which you can buy; a player can buy insurance if the first card of the bank is an Ace. This will cost a bet that is equal to half of the original bet. This insurance bet is called a ‘side’ bet and is separated from the original bet. In the case the bank does have a blackjack the player can win but the odds are 2:1 on his insurance bet. If the bank does not have a blackjack the player will lose his insurance bet.

Important terms and definitions of classic Blackjack

• The Hand: the number of cards in your hand
• Hit: to request another card from the bank
• Stand: you do not want any cards any more
• Double/double down: you can double down your bet amount and you will receive only one more card. You can only double down on a hand with a value of 9,10 or 11.
• Split:in the case you get two initial cards you can split them into two hands
• Bust:when your score is over 21, you automatically lose
• Natural:a natural is a blackjack out of an Ace and a 10 value card. This is the strongest hand in classic blackjack
• 21: this is a hand that is not a natural blackjack but does have 21 points
• Push: when both player and bank have a tie
• Soft hand: a hand with an Ace is called a soft hand because the Ace can count as 1 or 11 points. A hand with 3, 5 and an Ace is called a soft 19.
• Hole card:The hole card is the face down card of the dealer

Playing classic blackjack is not very difficult and it is a lot of fun. Although the basic principles of Classic Blackjack should always be the same each online casino might have it’s own minor additional rules. Therefore it is always wise to check out the details of Classic Blackjack at the online casino of your choice.On the left and right side of this website you will find online casinos that offer Classic blackjack, some online casinos also call it Basic blackjack or just blackjack.