Blackjack is definitely one of the most popular casino games. Immortalized in movie classics like several sequels of James Bond and 21, one can definitely see its appeal. It is fun, it’s thrilling, it’s classy and above all it gives you a fair chance of winning money. It is one of the few games where you get to make decision in the course of one hand and where your knowledge actually matters, since no matter how important luck is, you also got to have a bit of knowledge too. In this article we take a look at Bitcoin blackjack and see how different it is compared to regular online blackjack.
Play blackjack online
People who have played blackjack online know that there are hardly any significant differences between online blackjack and traditional blackjack, played in a land-based casino. With the introduction of live online blackjack, that difference is even smaller, almost non-existent. Blackjack, on the other hand, does have a lot of variants and each of them are different, in terms of the number of decks that are used, the rules, the number on which the dealer is required to stand etc. But one single variant is always the same, regardless whether the casino in question is a ‘regular’ online casino or a Bitcoin casino. The only difference is in the currency that’s being used. With Bitcoins there’s another element of thrill. Namely, the relative of the Bitcoin currency can fluctuate in a matter of days, even few hours. Just imagine, earning a lot of money playing Bitcoin blackjack and then realizing that the value of the Bitcoin has soared.
Rules of Blackjack
Like we already mentioned blackjack is the same, regardless of the type of the casino. So if you are familiar with blackjack, it should make no difference to you whether you’re playing in a land-based casino, a ‘regular’ online casino or a Bitcoin casino. And if you’re new to blackjack, here’s what you should now.
In blackjack, the player plays against the dealer. Even if there are more players in the game, they all compete against the dealer and not against each other. The number of players may vary, it can be only one, or up to seven. The number of decks may also vary. Typically, most casinos use 6 decks for a game of blackjack, but it can also be played with 4, 8, or even just one pair. Each player is dealt two cards at first as well as the dealer. One of the dealer’s cards may be open, depending on the variant in question. In some variants one of the players’ cards may also be open.
The player cannot return any of the cards, but is allowed to bet dealt as many as he wants. The aim is pretty simple, to reach 21, or be as close to 21 as possible, but without going over 21. Getting a value of 22 or more earns you an instant bust. The numbered cards are taken at face value, the ace is worth either 1 or 11, and all of the pictures are worth 10. Getting a new card is called a ‘hit’, keeping your current combination is a called ‘stay’.
The player is allowed to decide if s/he wants to hit or stay, regardless of the value of his/her current hand, whereas the dealer is usually obliged to stand at 17 and hit whenever the value of his cards is 16. All of the players get to choose how many cards they want, if any, before the dealer. If all players go over 21 and are busted, the dealer wins automatically. Similarly, if one of the players is dealt 21 in the initial hand, the dealer has lost to that player, even before s/he draws the cards. This is called a blackjack.
If the player gets dealt two cards that have the same value, s/he is allowed to split the pair and play them as two separate bets. However, this is not the case for every card, since in some variants players are not allowed to split aces, tens, 4’s and 5’s. If the value of the pair is 9, 10 or 11, the players are allowed to double their bet.
Blackjack Pay-outs
If a player wins a hand of blackjack s/he gets an amount equal the one s/he wagered. For example, if you bet 0.1 Bitcoins and you win, then you’d gain 0.1, or have 0.2 in total. However, if you get a straight blackjack, then the pay-out is 3:2, or you would get 0.3 Bitcoins if your bet was 0.2. If you double your bet you can either win double or lose double the amount that you wagered initially. If the game ends in a draw, you get your initial bet. In some variants you are allowed to take insurance if the dealer’s first card is an ace. This way you minimize the eventual loss.
Bitcoin Blackjack Bonuses
Online casinos often offer various lucrative bonuses in order to attract new players. Bitcoin casinos are no exception. Most of the casinos would give you a deposit bonus if you register there. Usually this bonus is a match of the first deposit that you have made. It can be a 100% bonus, but with Bitcoin casinos it can go further, up to 150% or even 200%. This means that if you deposit 1 Bitcoin, for example, you will get additional 1.5 or 2 from the casino, which would make a total of 2.5 or even 3 Bitcoins, which at the moment is more than $1,000. You will have to complete the wagering requirements before you are allowed to withdraw any of money you’ve won with the bonus amount.
Always look for a reliable and safe Bitcoin Casino
Not all online casinos, and that includes Bitcoin casinos, are safe and reliable. If you like to play Bitcoin blackjack, you have to make sure that the casino you choose has a positive reputation, is reliable, processed deposits and withdrawals without problems or holdups and offers fair odds and pay-outs.