As one of the most popular casino card games, blackjack brings the perfect mix of luck and chance to the gambling world. Nowadays, enthusiastic players may enjoy the excitement of the game from the comfort of their home by joining or hosting blackjack nights or parties.
In this guide, we’ll be covering all the essentials that you may need to play the classic card game at home, as you would in any modern casino:
- Essential Game Items
- The Right Atmosphere
- House Rules: Customise Your Home Game
Setting Up Your Home Blackjack Game
Before you can start playing blackjack at home, you may want to gather a few essential items to recreate the casino experience that you may be aiming for.
Essential Game Items
- Playing Cards
- You may use a standard deck of 52 cards, or multiple decks if you want to give your players a more authentic casino-like experience.
- Casino Chips
- Real casino-style chips would be a great addition, if available. These would make the betting phase more engaging.
- If chips are not readily available, small items such as candies or coins may also do the trick.
- Blackjack Table or Felt Layout
- A felt table layout on a large table will transport your players to the casino, without having the need to travel.
- If a felt table layout is unavailable, a green tablecloth will work the same way.
- A Dealer
- A live dealer is a must to be able to play blackjack. The dealer may rotate between players every other round, or you may also stick to one dealer.
- A Chip Tray
- This is to keep the dealer’s chips well organised. You may use a real chip tray, like the ones in casinos, or a standard organizer tray.
The Right Atmosphere
By changing up the atmosphere of your home to be more casino-like, your players may want to make your games a weekly thing! Here are some tips to create the right atmosphere for your home games:
- Have some casino-themed music playing in the background.
- Use softer lighting, and focus the lights onto the blackjack table to mimic the feel of a real-casino.
- A dress code is optional, but having your guests dress up in Vegas-style outfits may make your home games more unique.
- Hang up some casino-like decorations, such as welcome signs, to bring a more authentic feel.
House Rules: Customise Your Home Game
Set up some ground rules for your blackjack party before you start. Make sure these are clear and that your players all agree to follow the rules. This will ensure that your games will run smoothly, and conflicts may be reduced to a minimum.
Some house rules that you may want to decide on include:
- Dealer stands or hits on a soft 17.
- Will splitting and/or doubling down be allowed?
- What will be the blackjack payout of your game?
- Set betting limits for your players.
When Will You Be Hosting Your Blackjack Game?
Playing blackjack at home can be a fun and engaging experience for you and your guests. With these essentials, you’ll be hosting the best blackjack nights in no time. Your players will be enjoying a night out at the casino, but without the travel and high stakes!