If you're new to the world of blackjack, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. After all, it's just a card game, right? Well, yes and no.

On the surface, blackjack is a simple game where the goal is to get a hand that's worth more than the dealer's without going over 21. But once you start playing, you'll quickly discover that there's a lot more to it than that.

At its core, it is a game of skill, where the decisions you make can have a big impact on your chances of winning. That's what makes it so exciting to play – you're not just relying on luck to win, you also need to use your brain. But don't worry, you don't need to be a genius to play. With a little bit of practice and some basic knowledge of the game, you can start playing and enjoying all the thrills and excitement that blackjack has to offer.

In this beginner's guide to blackjack at Foxy Bingo, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to get started. We'll cover the rules of this online casino game, explain the objective, and give you some basic strategies that can help you improve your chances of winning. Whether you're a complete novice or you've played a few hands before, this blackjack guide will provide you with the information you need to become a confident and successful blackjack player. So, let's dive in and get started!

The first thing you need to do is understand the basics of the game. In this section, we'll cover the objective of the game, card values, and the layout of the blackjack table.

The objective of blackjack is simple: to get a hand that's worth more than the dealers without going over 21. To achieve this, you'll need to do the following:

• Reach 21 or be closer to 21 than the dealer.
• Avoid going over 21 (known as a "bust"), which means you automatically lose the hand.

Before we get into the details of how to play, it's important to understand the values of the cards in blackjack. Here's a quick rundown:

• Number cards (2-10): The value of these cards is equal to their face value.
• Face cards (J, Q, K): These cards are worth 10 points each.
• Aces: Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points, depending on which value would be more beneficial for your hand.

The blackjack table is where the action happens. Here's what you need to know about it:

• Layout and Design: A typical blackjack table has a semi-circular shape, with the dealer standing behind the straight edge and the players sitting in front of it. The table is usually covered in felt, and there are designated spots for the players to place their bets.
• Dealer and Player Positions: The dealer is responsible for dealing the cards and managing the game. In most cases, the dealer stands behind the straight edge of the table, while the players sit in front of it. Each player is given a designated spot to place their bets and receive their cards.

Now that you understand the basics, it's time to dive into the blackjack rules and gameplay. In this section, we'll cover everything you need to know to start playing blackjack at Foxy Bingo.

• Chip Denominations: Each table has a minimum and maximum bet limit, and the chips you use to bet will have different denominations. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the chip denominations before you start playing.
• Betting Limits: Each table has a minimum and maximum bet limit, so be sure to check the limits before you start playing.

• Distribution of Cards: The cards are dealt face up, and players can see each other's cards. The dealer's cards will be dealt with one card face up (upcard) and one card face down (hole card).
• Dealer's Upcard and Hole Card: The dealer's upcard is important because it gives players an idea of what the dealer's hand might be. However, the hole card remains hidden until it's the dealer's turn to play.

• Hitting: You can ask for another card (hit) if you want to try to improve your hand. You can continue receiving additional cards until you either reach 21, decide to stand, or go bust.
• Standing: If you're happy with your hand, you can choose to stand and not take any more cards.
• Doubling Down: You can double your initial bet and receive one more card if you think your hand is strong enough to beat the dealer.
• Splitting: If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. You'll need to place an additional bet for the second hand.
• Surrendering: In some blackjack variants, you can choose to surrender your hand and lose only half your bet.

Once all players have completed their turns, it's the dealer's turn to play. Here's what you need to know:

• Rules for Hitting and Standing: The dealer must hit until their hand is worth at least 17 points. Once the dealer reaches 17 or above, they must stand.
• Outcome of the Round: If the dealer busts, all remaining players win. If the dealer does not bust, their hand is compared to each player's hand, and each player with a higher hand wins.

In addition to the main game, there are also several side bets available in blackjack. These are usually based on the card combinations that the initial cards will form and include bets like Perfect Pairs and 21+3. Here at Foxy Bingo, we have a wide range of RNG and live blackjack games that offer many exciting side bets. To place a side bet, simply place your chips in the designated spot on the table.

While blackjack is a game of chance, there are strategies you can use to improve your chances of winning. In this section, we'll cover the basic strategy for playing blackjack. We’ll also look at how to use a blackjack strategy guide or chart, which you can see below.

The blackjack strategy chart might seem a bit confusing, even intimidating at first glance, but it’s actually quite simple to use. Just find the value of your hand in the appropriate section, Hard, Soft or Pairs, which we will look at in more detail below. 

Then, just follow the horizontal line to the value of the dealer’s face-up card, and make the recommended play. Basic strategy is based on the statistically proven fact that high cards favour the player, And although it doesn’t guarantee a win every hand, it will lower the odds against you. 

Following a basic strategy is essential for two main reasons:

• By following a basic strategy, you can reduce the house edge and improve your chances of winning.
• A basic strategy provides you with a set of rules to follow for each possible hand, allowing you to make informed decisions about how to play.

Hard hands are hands that do not contain an Ace, and you can find these in the top section of the chart. Some key principles for playing hard hands include standing on 17 or higher, hitting on 8 or lower, and doubling down on 10 or 11.

Soft hands are called soft because they do contain an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11. This means the value of the hand is not fixed. Soft hands can be found in the middle section of the strategy chart. Some key principles for playing soft hands include hitting on 17 or lower, doubling down on 13-18 if the dealer's upcard is 5 or 6, and standing on 19 or higher

Finally, pairs are an initial hand made up of two matching cards, and these are detailed at the bottom of the strategy chart. When you're dealt two cards of the same value, you can choose to split them into two separate hands. Some key principles for splitting pairs include always splitting aces and eights, never splitting tens, and splitting twos and threes when the dealer's upcard is 4-7.

Whether you're a complete novice or just looking to improve your game, these tips will help you get the most out of your blackjack experience at Foxy Bingo.

Managing your bankroll effectively is critical to enjoying your time at the blackjack tables. Here are some tips:

• Decide how much money you're willing to spend before you start playing, and stick to it.
• Once you’ve set your budget, you should also decide on a minimum and maximum bet limit to keep yourself in the game as long as possible and stick to these even if you are winning. 

Foxy Bingo offers a range of promotions and bonuses for blackjack players. Here are some to look out for:

• New players can take advantage of a Welcome Bonus when they sign up.
• Foxy Bingo regularly runs promotions for blackjack players, such as cashback offers and deposit matching bonuses. 

Before you claim any bonus, it’s important to read the Terms and Conditions, to see what the wagering requirements are, and if any time limits apply.

If you're new to the game or just want to improve your skills, practising for free is a great option. Foxy Bingo offers a demo mode where you can play for free without risking any real money.

Knowing when to walk away is an important skill for any gambler. Decide how much you're willing to lose and how much you will be satisfied with winning, before you start playing and quit when either of these limits is reached. Don't try to win back losses by betting more than you can afford.

Finally, joining the Foxy Bingo community is a great way to learn from other players and engage with like-minded individuals. You can chat with other players, share tips and strategies, and even compete in tournaments.

Conclusion

In this beginner's guide to blackjack at Foxy Bingo, we've covered everything you need to know to start playing this popular casino game.

We started by understanding the basics, including the objective of the game, card values, and the table layout. We then moved on to how to play, covering placing bets, card distribution, player decisions, the dealer's turn, and side bets.

We also discussed the importance of following a basic strategy to reduce the house edge and make informed decisions. This included tips for playing hard hands, soft hands, and splitting pairs.

For beginners, we offered tips on bankroll management, taking advantage of promotions and bonuses, practising for free, knowing when to quit, and joining the Foxy Bingo community.

At Foxy Bingo, you can enjoy a fun and safe gaming experience, with a range of blackjack games to choose from. Remember to gamble responsibly and always play within your means.

Finally, we encourage beginners to keep practising and developing their skills over time. With patience and dedication, you can become a skilled player and enjoy the many rewards that this classic game has to offer.

The objective is to beat the dealer by either getting a higher hand total than the dealer without going over 21, or having the dealer go over 21 (bust) while you remain under 21.

In blackjack, numbered cards 2-10 have their face value, face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11 points depending on the hand.

Not necessarily. While 21 is the ideal goal, it's important to focus on making the best decisions based on the cards you have and the dealer's upcard. Sometimes it's better to stand with a lower hand total than to risk going over 21.

While it's technically possible to count cards in online games, it's not recommended. Online casinos use algorithms that shuffle the deck after every hand. And when you play live blackjack, the dealers will use an automatic card shuffler after every round making it much more difficult to keep a running count of cards dealt, so a card counter will gain no advantage.

This is not a betting system, but involves making the best possible decision based on the cards you have and the dealer's upcard. This includes hitting, standing, doubling down, splitting pairs, and surrendering. By following a basic strategy chart, you can reduce the house edge and improve your chances of winning.

The house edge varies depending on the rules of the game and the player's strategy. However, in general, the house edge ranges from around 0.5% to 2%.

If both the dealer and the player have blackjack, it's a push, and the player's bet is returned.

Yes, once you open an account, Foxy Bingo offers a demo mode for games where you can play for free and practise your skills before playing blackjack online real money.