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Last updated: 01 December 2020

Blackjack is an equally popular casino game as Video Poker, and it is a combination of skill and luck. Whether you go to land-based casinos or play online, it's not hard to find a bunch of Blackjack games. The reason many gamblers love this type of betting game is that it has one of the lowest house edges of all casino games. If you bet on basic or optimal strategies, you can gain an advantage over the house edge. Although luck plays an essential role in any game genre, with the right skills, you will make a high return.

Currently, both online and offline casinos offer various blackjack games, and one of them is Single Deck Blackjack. This variant offers the best bookmaker advantage for gamblers and if you are familiar with the basic strategy, then get into this blackjack variant right away.

What Is a Single Deck Blackjack?

Single deck Blackjack is similar to any standard blackjack game, as the rules of play are the same, but the variant category has fewer tags in the shoe. This means that the dealer shuffles cards very quickly.

In live deck blackjack games, the dealt cards are face down, making the game more interesting. It is done to prevent the player from getting too much information based on the cards dealt in the hand. If you are at a one-deck blackjack table with four players and you can see all the cards usually face up on the table, it wouldn't be challenging to recalculate the odds and change strategy quickly to gain an advantage over the dealer. There are even some tweaking to the "ingredient-dependent" method by looking at your cards, which could reduce the house edge even further.

tips how to play single deck blackjack

Step by Step to Understand the Game

Everything you need to understand is here! To place a bet, simply select the desired chip from the price at the bottom and then place it in the required box on the casino table.

Chip Size

Available sizes in Single Deck Blackjack are £1, £5, £25, £100, and £500.

Bet

Clicking on the bet box will place the bet with the chip size you have selected.

Remove Bet

Choosing the “Remove” button will undo the last replaced chip.

Clear Bet

Selecting "Clear Bet" will clear all chips on the table.

Deal

Choosing "Deal" will start the game with cards initially dealt with you and the dealer. You will get two face-up cards.

Hit

It has the effect of adding a card while playing.

Stand

It helps to end a turn on the current hand.

Repeat and Deal

It will help gamblers to repeat bets from the previous game.

Let'em Ride

It will repeat your bet from the previous game with the winnings from that game. This option is not available if gamblers have purchased insurance in their hands before.

Split

If you get two cards of the same value, players will have the split option, splitting you into two hands. When dealing, you must bet on the second game equal to the amount initially wagered.

Only matching face cards can be divided into this blackjack version. So, Q associated with J in the first two cards cannot be separated. If A is dealt and then drawn a card with a value of 10, it will not count as a blackjack, which will have a value of 21 but will lose to the dealer if they draw a blackjack.

Should you want to apply the strategy, read how to split blackjack cards.

Double Down

It allows players to bet x2 of the initial stake. Once doubling the bet, players will only receive one card if their initial two cards total is 9, 10, or 11. Learning about double down strategy will help you make the right decision when playing blackjack.

Insurance

If the dealer's first card is an Ace, players will choose to protect the hand by buying insurance. This will cost bettors half of the original bet. If the dealer draws the blackjack, the insurance will pay 2 to 1 with the initial bet amount forfeited.

If the dealer does not have blackjack, players lose their insurance stakes, and the hand will continue as usual.

If you want to have a closer look at insurance option, read what insurance and even money are to get everything clear.

Payout

The available payouts in Single Deck Blackjack are as follows:

  • Hand wins - 1: 1;
  • Blackjack - 3: 2;
  • Insurance - 2: 1.

Easy Gameplay

Gamblers have to beat the dealer by accumulating a total of cards close to and not exceeding 21 points. You will draw cards until the hand is most comparable to or equal to 21 without exceeding it.

If the total of the first two cards is 21 (a combination of A card with 10, J, K, or Q), then you win the blackjack. 

Any hand exceeding 21 will result in a loss. The dealer must tie above 16 and must always be over 17 or more.

If the dealer's total is equal to the player's full, then the hand is 'push,’ i.e., the player's bet will be returned.

The minimum bet in the Single-Deck Blackjack is £1, and the maximum is £1000.

The values ​​of the cards in Single Deck Blackjack are as follows:

  • A Card has a value of 1 or 11;
  • Cards 2-9 are charged at face value.
  • 10, J, Q, and K are equal to 10.

In-Game Counting Cards

Single Deck Blackjack counting method receives the first two cards face down. Meanwhile, shoeshine blackjack players have all the cards dealt face-up, making it easier for gamblers to track the cards accurately.

It will be a bit difficult in the beginning if you are familiar with shoe counting games. However, the main principle remains the same. Gamblers simply add or subtract the value of each displayed card divided. On this basis, players will set the number of runs to help in correct bet sizing. However, the two starting cards of other players will be dealt face down in single card games, so they are not immediately visible to easily adjust the number of runs.

There will be situations where things get a little more complicated. For example, if the dealer receives a blackjack and all players face up. Players will need to count all visible cards quickly before the next round of play begins. To do this requires a lot of practice.

When a player hits a total of two cards, the hit cards are dealt face-up to see them easily. After reshuffling, players start by counting the first cards you can see, the cards in your starting hand, and the dealer's revealed cards.

Read more: What to Do and Not to Do When Playing Live Blackjack

Tips to Achieve Your Winning Dream

To win, you train in both speed and accuracy. You can start your practice by mixing two decks and a countdown and checking accuracy by removing three cards.

After an improved speed and two deck countdowns in under 40 seconds, you can continue practicing with six shuffled decks. Divide cards into six separate stacks and try to count down as fast as possible until you develop a six-deck countdown in under 2 minutes.

This goal helps you maintain an accurate count over the long term.

Additionally, you must learn to make decisions as a player and follow the basics of strategy. Every single card has a significant impact on the distribution of the remaining cards in her deck.

You should also consult some basic strategy charts to find the optimal way to play your hand.

Published: 01 December 2020 09:38