Classic Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games ever played. Despite its many different variations, classic blackjack remains the favorite of most players. Classic blackjack’s popularity is also the reason it is available in nearly all casinos, including brick-and-mortar and online. Discover the game here to understand the hype.

What is classic blackjack?

Classic blackjack, referred to as traditional blackjack, 21, or simply blackjack, involves the player trying to get a score of 21 uses cards dealt to them. The dealer is also trying to achieve a 21. The hand with the highest score without going over 21 is the winner.

The scoring system is simple: face cards are worth 10, aces are 1 or 11 depending on your hand’s value, and 2-10 are worth their numeric value. Classic blackjack games play with a variety of deck numbers, including one, two, four, six, or eight decks, which can alter playing strategy.

Where can I play classic blackjack?

The glory of classic blackjack is its availability. Players can enjoy classic 21 in most land-based casinos and online through reputable online casinos. All of the casinos featured on this site operate legally offshore and welcome American players.

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Common Variations of Classic Blackjack

Classic blackjack is most often varied at online casinos in two ways:

Table limits (options for lower and higher limits to accommodate different types of bettors)
The number of decks used – Single deck blackjack and double deck blackjack are included in the menu at most reputable online casinos.

How to play classic blackjack

As mentioned above, the amount of decks used can alter a player’s strategy during blackjack. To be as comprehensive as possible, strategies in this section will include single deck and multideck games of blackjack.

Simple Blackjack Strategy for single deck games, dealer stands on soft 17:

When to Hit:

Pairs of 2’s if the upcard is 8-A;
Pairs of 3’s if the upcard is 9-A;
Pairs of 4’s if the upcard is 2-3 or 7-A;
Pairs of 5’s if the upcard is 10-A;
Pairs of 6’s if the upcard is 8-A;
Pairs of 7’s if the upcard is 9 or an ace;
A,2-5 if the upcard is 2-3 or 7-A;
A,6 if the upcard is 7-A;
A,7 if the upcard is 9-10;
All hands equaling 5-7;
Hands equaling 8 if the upcard is 2-4 or 7-A;
Hands equaling 9 if the upcard is 7-A;
Hands equaling 10 if the upcard is 10-A;
Hands equaling 12 if the upcard is 2-3 or 7-A;
Hands equaling 13-15 if the upcard is 7-A;
Hands equaling 16 if the upcard 7-9.

When to Stand:

Pairs of 9’s if the upcard is 7 or 10-A;
All pairs of 10’s;
A,7 if the upcard is 2, 7-8, or an ace;
All A,8’s unless the upcard is a 6;
All A,9’s and A,10’s;
Hands equaling 12 if the upcard is 4-6;
Hands equaling 13-16 if the upcard is 2-6;
All hands equaling 17 or more.

When to Split Pairs:

Pairs of 2’s if the upcard is 2-7;
Pairs of 3’s if the upcard is 2-8;
Pairs of 4’s if the upcard is 4-6;
Pairs of 6’s if the upcard is 2-7;
Pairs of 7’s if the upcard is 2-8;
All pairs of 8’s;
Pairs of 9’s if the upcard is 2-6 or 8-9;
All pairs of aces.

When to Double Down:

Pairs of 5’s if the upcard is 2-7 (if not available, hit);
A,2-5 if the upcard is 4-6 (if not available, hit);
A,6 if the upcard 2-6 (if not available, hit);
A,7 if the upcard is 3-6 (if not available, stand);
A,8 if the upcard is 6 (if not available, stand);
Hands equaling 8 if the upcard is 5-6 (if not available, hit);
Hands equaling 9 if the upcard is 2-6 (if not available, hit);
Hands equaling 10 if the upcard is 2-9 (if not available, hit);
All hands equaling 11 (if not available, hit).

When to Surrender:

Pairs of 7’s if the upcard is 10 (if not available, stand);
Hands equaling 16 if the upcard is 10-A (if not available, hit).

When to use insurance:

Mathematically, never. There’s only a 30% chance to win this bet.

Simple Blackjack Strategy for Multi-deck games, dealer stands on soft 17:

When to Hit:

Pairs of 2’s and 3’s if the upcard 8-A;
Pairs of 4’s if the upcard is 2-4 or 7-A;
A,2 and A,3 if the upcard is 2-4 or 7-A;
A,4 and A,5 if the upcard is 2-3 or 7-A;
All hands equaling 5-8;
Hands equaling 9 if the upcard is 2 or 7-A;
Hands equaling 10 if the upcard is 10-A;
Hands equaling 11 if the upcard is an ace;
Hands equaling 12 if the upcard is 2-3 or 7-A;
Hands equaling 13 through 16 if the upcard is 7-A.

When to Stand:

Pairs of 9’s if the upcard is 7 or 10-A;
All pairs of 10’s;
A,7 if the upcard is 2 or 7-8;
Always on A,8-10;
Hands equaling 12 if the upcard is 4-6;
Hands equaling 13-16 if the card is 2-6;
All hands equaling 17 or more.

When to Split Pairs:

Pairs of 2’s and 3’s if the upcard is 2-7;
Pairs of 4’s if the upcard is 5-6;
Pairs of 6’s if the upcard is 2-6;
Pairs of 7’s if the upcard is 2-7;
All pairs of 8’s;
Pairs of 9’s if the upcard is 2-9 except when it is a 7;
All pairs of aces.

When to Double Down:

Pairs of 5’s if the upcard is 2-9 (if not available, hit);
A,2 and A,3 if the upcard is 5-6 (if not available, hit);
A,4 and A,5 if the upcard is 4-6 (if not available, hit);
A,6 if the upcard is 3-6 (if not available, hit);
A,7 if the upcard is 3-6 (if not available, stand);
Hands equaling 9 if the upcard is 2-6 (if not available, hit);
Hands equaling 10 if the upcard is 2-9 (if not available, hit);
Hands equaling 11 if the upcard is 2-10 (if not available, hit).

When to Surrender:

Hands equaling 15 if the upcard is 10 (if not available, hit);
Hands equaling 16 if the upcard is 9-A (if not available, hit);
Hands equaling 17 if the upcard is an ace (if not available, stand).

When to use insurance:

Mathematically, never. There’s only a 30% chance to win this bet.

FAQs

Are there classic blackjack live dealer games?

Another option for classic blackjack players is the option to play the game with live dealers online, giving online players real dealer access through a video streaming and chat service.

This option is popular due to the person to person interaction with the dealer combined with the convenience provided through online play.

Can I play real money classic blackjack on a mobile app?

Because classic blackjack is so popular, apps are available. However, online casinos featured here have optimized their classic blackjack games for mobile play. Using the mobile version of these online casinos promises safe, secure access to blackjack games without taking up valuable phone space through heavy downloads.

Responsive technology allows the games to be compatible across most device manufacturers, mobile networks and operating systems, including Android, Apple, Windows and Blackberry devices.

Can I free play classic blackjack?

Your play is available on our featured sites, offering carefree fun to players.

Is blackjack hard to play?

There can be a learning curve, but with the help of this guide and some practice, anyone can play effectively.

Are There Any Online Blackjack Offers?

Yes, you will find multiple bonus offers online that can be used for the blackjack tables. Our guide to Blackjack bonuses will go into detail about some of the offers you are likely to run across.