Blackjack Rules in Canada

Online casino gambling attracts thousands of players from different parts of the world. With endless sets of developers and platform creators, it is a trade that is not likely to see any sort or decline anytime soon. One particular game that has grown to be a player favourite is blackjack. One of the oldest and most played casino gambling games out there, blackjack implores players to use a degree of knowledge and expertise, coupled with a touch of that casino luck.

Blackjack is not in any specific way structured along a certain path. This practically means the game, like many others in its category, can be found in different variations and playing styles, largely accredited to its fame and adoption worldwide, by different communities and societies. Since there are not many Canadian casino game review topics at hand, this short review will take a dive into Canadian gambling culture and explain some or the basic and more common rule sets as played in the territory.

Blackjack Rules

Game Terms

Otherwise known as Twenty One, the game is full of terminology that one needs to be properly acquainted with if they wish to play with desirable results. Here are some of the most basic terms that are used:

  1. Hit – to take another card
  2. Stand – to play out your turn without taking any cards
  3. Split – to create separate hands that function independently
  4. Surrender – to let go of half of your bet and keep hold of the other one without making use of your hand
  5. Insurance – you can choose to make this bet when the dealer’s standing card is an ace
  6. Soft Hand – when the ace in hand can be counted like an eleven
  7. Hard Hand – when a hand has zero aces, or has an ace but can only be considered as one as it is more than twenty one
  8. House Edge – an advantage held by all casino games, which is kept track of in percentages
  9. Shoe – a point on the table dedicated to housing cards
  10. Hole Card – this is the dealer’s card, which will be placed facing downwards.

Game Basics

Once the terms have been established, Canadian blackjack can be played. The goal is more or less the same, which is to go as close to twenty one as possible in an effort to bet the dealer. You can play with multiple players, all looking to beat the dealer, but your individual moves will have no effect on any other player. In your efforts to go up to twenty one, make sure you do not surpass the number, as it acts as a limit meaning you will lose once you go over it. Canadian blackjack can vary slightly from the original defaults, in which the game was played with just the one pack of cards. The end of each game is signified by the term Go Bust, indicating the loss of one of either the player or the dealer. The dealer also losses automatically if they surpass the twenty one mark.

Value of Hands and Cards

In the game, all of the jacks, kings and queens hold values of 10 points each, while aces can, depending on the situation, can be valued as 1 or as 11. Using the ace to your advantage can mean the difference between going bust or gaining more points. The highest possible point collection can be made from collecting any of the ten valued cards, place an ace. The winning hand, otherwise known as blackjack gives out 3/2 points, and a major combination like that will give you a win instantly. However, this win can be nullified to a tie if the dealer is also in the possession of a blackjack. If this happens, the round is nullified and the bet automatically returns to you, as is.

Gameplay

Once you are settled with the money you would like to bet, you are required to place the equivalent value in chips on the designated betting pad. You will then receive two cards which form your hand, facing upwards. The dealer receives two cards as well, only that just one of theirs will be facing up, while the other one is hidden. By common rule, the dealer is forced to call for blackjack in the event of them acquiring a 10 value card or ace from the first deal. If they do have a blackjack, the hidden card is shown and you lose the game. If you have a blackjack as well, the game ends as a tie.

Once you have settled your bet and receive your hand, you have to pick one of the available moves, and the game will play out differently depending on these choices.

Conclusion

Winning Canadian blackjack simply depends on the choice of strategical moves you make. By working out the card outcome probabilities, you can take good shots at winning more points, but it does not guarantee an overall win, only helps the likelihood.