How to play Touchdown Blackjack, one of the most popular table games on the DraftKings Casino app during football season.
Blackjack is one of the best casino games around. It is different, some would say, to the likes of roulette and slots, which both involve a high degree of luck when playing. Blackjack, on the other hand, combines an element of luck with a significant amount of strategy.
The Basic Rules of Blackjack
Known to many as ’21’, the blackjack rules are fairly easy to grasp. The objective of the game is to finish closer to 21 than the dealer, without going above 21. Or, ideally, achieving 21. There are three clear ways to win a blackjack hand:
- By finishing with a hand total higher than the dealer’s (but not above 21).
- If the dealer’s total exceeded 21, and yours does not.
- If you are dealt 21 on your first two hands (‘blackjack’) and the dealer is not.
In a hand of blackjack, you and the dealer will receive at least two cards each. Face cards are worth 10 and Aces are worth 1 or 11, depending on your hand.
The whole strategy surrounding a hand of blackjack tends to ride on what the dealer’s first card is. For example, if the dealer has a King, you know they have a great chance of reaching close to 21 with their second card.
If you have been dealt your first two cards and require another to edge closer to 21, you ‘hit’. If you wish to stick with the cards you have been dealt, you ‘stand’. If the dealer busts and you don’t, you win. However, if the dealer is closer to 21 than you without going above it, they win.
So, that’s the basics of blackjack. But what about Touchdown Blackjack, DraftKings’ exclusive twist on the popular table game (now also available at Golden Nugget)? Let’s walk through the game’s key features, how to play, and tips for success.
Touchdown Blackjack: How to Play
Touchdown Blackjack is one of the new variations of the traditional game of blackjack, just like Double Up Blackjack. The game is all about winning hands in order to gain yards. It is the perfect combination of blackjack and football!
Simply, winning hands will drive you down the field. You will gain more yardage when you double down and split a hand.
My favorite feature of Touchdown Blackjack is the ability to personalize the game by choosing your team. I chose the Buffalo Bills, but if the decision is too difficult then you can opt for a DraftKings branded squad.
Playing a Hand on Touchdown Blackjack
Now it’s time to play a hand. Here was my first hand:
I chose to hit, which gave me a 3. That put me on 15, which I chose to ‘stand’ on. Unfortunately, the dealer drew a 9 and an Ace, so won with a total of 20.
The good thing about Touchdown Blackjack is that you will only lose yards if the dealer gets a Blackjack. But, remember, if you lose a hand or push, there are no gains.
Scoring a Touchdown
If you manage to reach the end zone, you will score a touchdown and celebrations around the stadium will erupt. I’ll let you play the game to find out what happens!
Scoring a Field Goal
After scoring the touchdown, you get the chance to score a field goal for an extra point. This provides an added interactive element to Touchdown Blackjack which you won’t find anywhere else.
Tips & Advice for Touchdown Blackjack
Ok, so know you know how to play the game, and what the features of the game look like. But how can you maximize your chances of winning.
Well, like any casino game, there is an element of luck associated. But here are some useful tips to give yourself the best chance of success when playing.
1. Sometimes, it’s best to stand on 12 or 13
For a more conservative approach to Touchdown Blackjack, a helpful tip is to ‘stand’ on 12 or 13 if the dealer’s first card is low (preferably 3, 4, 5 or 6).
The chance to improve your hand on 13, for example, comes with great risk because a number of cards in the pack can bust you. By standing, you are giving the dealer the decisions to make. If the dealer then goes bust, it has paid off.
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2. Only split if you have two cards valued at 10
In Touchdown Blackjack, you have the option of splitting your hand in two, to receive more cards for each ‘new’ hand. Of course, this requires you to also double your stake on that hand.
So, it is worth thinking about before taking the added risk. Personally, I would only split the hand if I have any two of K, Q, J, 10. That way, you are giving yourself the best chance of creating two great hands once you are dealt the remaining cards.
3. Keep an eye on previous cards
No, I’m not talking about card counting. What I am saying is be mindful of the recent cards which have appeared.
For example, four low cards could be dealt in a row. By law of averages, there is a great chance that the fifth card dealt is of higher value. So, keep this in mind before deciding whether to ‘hit’ or ‘stand’.
4. Don’t bet more than you are comfortable losing
Yes, Touchdown Blackjack does offer incentives to playing bold. I mean, who doesn’t want to be doubling down in the hunt for more yards? Who doesn’t want to reach that end zone as quickly as possible?
But, remember, strip back the fun football environment here and you are literally just playing blackjack. Just like you would be on any mobile app or in any casino across the country. Don’t land yourself in trouble – bet what you are comfortable losing!
Want to Give Touchdown Blackjack a Try?
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DraftKings is also home to one of the biggest slot games libraries in the United States. For the best games to try, read more here.
