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Bitcoin Blackjack: Rules and Strategy

Blackjack is a simple game of 21, where a player (or multiple players) bet against the house. There is no difference in the rules between Bitcoin blackjack and traditional blackjack, and the same optimal strategies applies to both. Those who use an optimal Bitcoin strategy can find that the house only has an edge of roughly 0.5%. This means that gaining any small additional edge through card counting or another strategy can turn Bitcoin blackjack into a profitable game.

Rules

Before the hand starts, the player makes a Bitcoin bet and is subsequently dealt into the hand. The player is dealt 2 cards face up, and the dealer is dealt 1 card face down and another face up. In all Bitcoin blackjack hands, the player must act first – deciding whether to: stand, hit or double. Choosing “stand” stops the player from being dealt any further cards and a “hit” deals another. Choosing to “double” will result in the player doubling the size of their existing Bitcoin bet whilst also receiving a new card.

The aim of blackjack (and Bitcoin blackjack) is to hit a total of 21 through any number of cards dealt. Unlike many other variations of card games, suits do not play a role in a typical game of blackjack, and it is only the number that counts. All face cards (jack, queen and king) are valued at 10, whilst an Ace can be valued at 1 or 11. If a player is dealt 21 from their initial 2 cards, then their hand wins immediately.

Winning Hands
A winning hand in Bitcoin blackjack returns the player’s bet and matches it with profit. Many Bitcoin blackjack casinos will also provide a slight bonus for hitting 21. Other variations also exist; including a possible jackpot or bonus for being dealt 5 cards without going bust. This guide couldn’t possibly cover all the variations in blackjack.

Drawing Hands
Also known as a “push”. If the player’s hand equals the total of the dealer’s hand then the player receives their bet back. The dealer must keep hitting until they have a value of 17 or greater (18 or greater at some Bitcoin casinos), at which point they must stand if not made bust by exceeding a total of 21. This results in the possibility that the dealer stands on the same value as the player.

Losing Hands
If the player chooses to stand, and the dealer is able to beat their score without going bust, then the Bitcoin bet will go to the house. Players can also lose a hand by being dealt over 21 resulting in a “bust”. Knowing when to hit, stand or double comes down to the Bitcoin strategy that a player adopts.

Strategy

Despite the house always having an edge over the player, there is still an optimal strategy that a player can choose. These strategies are quite complex, but there are a few foundational “rules” that a player can follow in order to maximize potential Bitcoin winnings:

1. Always hit on 16 if the dealer shows 10 or ace
If the dealer shows a 10 or an ace then they are at an extremely strong advantage over your 16. Whilst 16 may seem high, it is very easily beaten given the information that you have on the dealer. In this circumstance, it is always advised to hit.

2. Always split two aces
We have not previously discussed a split in Bitcoin blackjack, but put simply it allows you to split the two cards into two new hands. Subsequently each hand is played out individually under the same rules. Holding two aces is – as in many card games – the strongest possible hand a player can have. By splitting two aces, you are able to maximize your chance of making profit against the house.

3. Always double on 11
Due to the number of 10’s in a Bitcoin blackjack game, a starting hand of 11 is extremely strong as it provides the player with a relatively high chance of hitting 21 on the next card. Due to this advantage, doubling your bet when your hand shows 11 will pay out more than it loses.

Of course none of these strategies are guaranteed to win Bitcoin every time, but they will put you at a significant advantage against the house over the medium and long run. Blackjack is a complex subject, and those looking to beat a Bitcoin casino should consider reading up on more detailed blackjack strategies.

Betting on Blackjack with Bitcoin

The first question you might ask yourself is why bet on blackjack with Bitcoin in the first place? The answer is that there are a number of benefits to using a Bitcoin casino over a traditional one, and these are:

1. Anonymous Betting

Many Bitcoin casinos will allow anonymous registration, something that many players demand when it comes to online gambling.

2. Secure Deposits

Bitcoin deposits are extremely secure because they are peer to peer. With a peer to peer payment, there is no risk that a middleman will interfere with your deposit.

3. Faster Payments

Despite some ongoing Bitcoin network congestion, deposits using Bitcoin are typically very fast (occurring within an hour). They do not require lengthy banking forms or hoops to jump through, and a payment is extremely quick to setup. Using Bitcoin for your next blackjack game might be the best decision you make!

For information on the best Bitcoin casinos with blackjack tables, read below. Show less