Most people already understand how to play blackjack. If you don't though the basic premise is drawing cards to get as close to 21 as possible with out going over. There are then more advanced rules on top of this, including doubling and splitting. The following are some general tips to ensure you are playing the least risky blackjack.

• Follow the strategy and odds tables (see below)
• Play the lowest number of decks and hands possible
• Play BJ Surrender or BJ Switch if possible
• The lower amount bet you make the lower variance you will have. Obviously the longer you will have to play though.
• Don't play side bets, even insurance. They are usually all high house edge bets
• Don't bother with any non-standard blackjacks apart from Surrender or Switch. Steer clear of anything 'Fun', 'Super' or 'Double'. The casinos have super fun, doubling their house edge.

This is the standard strategy table for standard rules. 4+ Hands and Dealer hits on Soft 17. For more customised rules sets, either find the game you want to play on odds table below. Or whack them into the calculator that will be up soon. Alternatively go to Wizard of Odds.

There are a huge number of variants of Blackjack (Microgaming lists over 12 variants) all made by modifying the rules slightly, and offering side bets. The best being single deck, single hand, no reshuffle, peek on ace, stand soft 17, double on anything, resplit, double on split, hit on split aces and surrender Blackjack. This version would never exist as it gives the player a slight advantage. Below is a list of casino rules and their advantages based on the rules they provide.