How to Play Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most famous casino games played worldwide, but Kiwis haven’t always had the easiest access. New Zealand only has six brick-and-mortar casinos, so playing blackjack either required travelling to these establishments or playing at home with friends. But not anymore, as Guts NZ is here to offer you several live blackjack games from esteemed providers such as Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play.

The rules of blackjack are relatively straightforward, making it an excellent option for casino beginners. However, advanced players can also have an extremely fun time, especially considering the wealth of blackjack strategy guides and tips to win. Our guide will teach you how to play blackjack but don’t let you put this off if you already know the rules. We’ll also explore some essential blackjack strategies to keep things interesting.

So, before you jump into our exceptional array of live blackjack options, keep reading for an overview of black jack rules and information on how to play with the most success.

Blackjack: One of the Oldest Games out There

Blackjack has a long and colourful history. Some historians claim its roots lie in Ancient China, but the earliest recorded mention of the game was by the legendary Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes. He talks of “venti una” or “21” in the era-defining 1600s epic Don Quixote, but blackjack likely existed hundreds of years before this.

As a result, blackjack is one of the oldest casino games still played today. New Zealanders have played the game since at least the 1800s, so its popularity runs deep across the North and South Islands.

Blackjack Rules: Vital Information

The main aim in blackjack online is to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over and “busting”. You’re playing against a dealer who’s also got the same objective. Obtain a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer to win a blackjack round. Vital things to remember are Aces can either be 1 or 11, and all face cards are worth 10 points.

Calculating the value of your hand is easy. Add the card values together, and hey presto, you have your value. As you can imagine, memorising the card values is vital. However, it’s very simple, so you won’t have any trouble here. Winning via a blackjack (two cards totalling 21) pay 3:2, while other payouts are generally 1:1. There are a few common side bets to remember. The insurance bet is the most common, coming with a 2:1 payout. Although this can seem attractive at first, most blackjack experts advise against insurance bets.

A Rundown of Essential Blackjack Rules

That’s the vital information out of the way. Now, let’s take a better look at essential black jack rules. You can find a round-up of the step-by-step instructions of how to play blackjack below:

1. Place your stake
2. You will receive two cards face up. The dealer also receives two cards, but only one is face up.
3. Next, decide whether you want to request another card (Hit) or stay with your original cards (Stand).
4. The dealer will turn his second card face up after you’re happy with your hand.
5. Add up the totals to determine the winner.

That’s a step-by-step rundown of how to play blackjack at its simplest level. You can also take advantage of a few side bets while playing. Here is a quick overview:

• Insurance: An insurance bet is available if the dealer’s up card is an ace. It costs half your stake and pays 2:1 if the dealer ends up with a blackjack. If not, the bet loses. This type of wager can tempt beginners but we don’t recommend it.
• Split: You can use the split option to separate your cards into two hands if you’re given two cards of the same value. Doing so will require an added wager, but you have effectively twice the chance of winning.
• Double: Some live blackjack options here at Guts offer a double bet. You can double your stake after the initial hands have been dealt, potentially doubling the profits. It’s a great way to take advantage of a weak first card from the dealer.

Rules of Blackjack

Learning the rules of blackjack also requires knowledge of a few keywords and phrases. Make sure you have an accurate grasp of the terms below to enjoy a smoother playing experience:

• Hit: Request another card
• Stand: Stay with your current hand
• Bust: Going over 21 and losing
• Surrender: Some live blackjack games let you surrender your hand before the game has finished. You’ll receive half your stake back

A Few Golden Blackjack Tips to Win

That’s the basics of how to play blackjack out of the way. Now, let Guts help you with some essential strategies to boost your chances of winning. Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges out of all casino games and can be as low as 0.5%. The following tips can help you achieve maximum success:

• Split with Caution: Using the split bet can dramatically improve your overall blackjack payout, but only at the right times. Most experts will tell you to avoid the split bet unless you have two aces or eights.
• Don’t Use Insurance: Don’t be tempted into the insurance bet option, as it’s simply not worth it. Sure, the payout is enticing 2:1, but the actual probability of this happening is a meagre 9:4.
• Budget Carefully: Blackjack games are quick, with several rounds happening every hour. You’ll need to keep a strict eye on your bankroll to ensure you can keep playing. Budget carefully, and don’t get sucked into making huge bets, as they could easily be your last.

Cash Out is now available on Evolution's Live Blackjack tables

Evolution Gaming continues to reshape the world of Live Casino, introducing a new Cash Out feature. You can now cash out on Classic and Speed Blackjack tables. If you don't like your cards, you can leave the game early and still collect a payout.

It's easy to cash out with live Blackjack. The feature is available once you get your first two cards and before the round ends. The value of your Cash Out will show up on the game interface once you select it.

Consider Cash Out if either of these two scenarios happens:

• If you have a hard hand and 15 points and if the dealer's card is a 10.
• If your hand has 16 points and the open dealer card shows a 9, 10 or Ace.

Would you like to try the Cash Out feature? Then open any of these games in our Live Blackjack:

• Exclusive Blackjack 2, Exclusive Blackjack 4, Exclusive Salon Prive and Svensk Blackjack

Check Out Our Other Guts Guides

Now you know the ins and outs of blackjack, there’s only one thing left to do: play! Here at Guts, we treat Kiwis to the creme-de-la-creme of live blackjack entertainment. However, it’s not our only strength. Check out our range of other casino guides exploring things like our baccarat strategy or roulette guide to learn how to play some of the other options in our catalogue.

Play Live Blackjack Here at Gutz NZ

Now you have all the tools available to enjoy blackjack, let’s play! Here at Guts NZ, we treat Kiwis to the creme-de-la-creme of entertainment. We have several variations for you to try out, so let’s get playing!

Blackjack Not Your Cup of Tea? Enjoy our Selection of Other Live Games

Blackjack isn’t for everyone. Don’t worry if you’re struggling to get excited by this legendary card game, as we have many other options available. Table game enthusiasts can enjoy things like baccarat online and live roulette at our site. Whatever your preference, we’ve got you!