Blackjack
is probably one of the most popular casino games thanks in part to it's
simplicity and a players ability to use strategies to heighten their
odds of winning.
The main
goal in Blackjack is to get the total value of your cards as close to
21 as possible without going over, while still having a higher hand
than the dealer's.
Card
Values
Any numbered
card is worth the face value. Face cards (Kings, Queens and Jacks) are
equivalent to 10. Aces are worth either 1 or 11, whichever is more beneficial
for your hand.
Basic
Game Play
The game
starts with you placing your bet. The dealer then deals two cards to
you and then one to himself. In most casinos, the cards are dealt face-up.
The dealer will then deal himself a second card face-down. This is called
the hole card.
This is
when the game play begins. It starts with you making a decision based
on the cards that you have received -- do you "hit" (take
another card) or "stand" (stay with what you have).
If you
decide to hit, the dealer will proceed to deal you another card -- at
which point you'll have the option to continue by asking for another
"hit". This process can continue until you are happy with
your hand or the total value of your cards exceeds 21 and you lose.
On the
other hand, the dealer must keep taking cards until he has 17 or more
-- he cannot stand on anything lower, so keep this in mind.
If you
would like to read more about when to hit and when to stand to increase
your odds of beating the dealer, check out this blackjack
strategy by WinnerOnline.
Terminology
and Betting Rules
Anytime
the total value of your cards exceeds 21 you automatically lose your
bet, it's called a "bust".
If the
value of your cards is less than or equal to 21 and the dealer's total
is over 21, then the dealer busts and you automatically win.
However,
if neither you nor the dealer's hands exceeds 21, then whoever has the
higher hand wins. And when there's a tie (also known as a "push")
between your hand and the dealer's, no one wins and no one loses.
Blackjack
When
the first two cards that are dealt to you or the dealer happen to
be an Ace and a ten-count card (10, Jack, Queen or King), that is
called a "Blackjack" or "a natural".
If you
are fortunate enough to be dealt a Blackjack, you win automatically
(unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case it is a push).
The payout
on a Blackjack is higher than an ordinary win which pays an equal
amount to what you've wagered. Blackjack, on the other hand, pays
3 to 2 -- that means you win 3 dollars for every 2 dollars you bet.
Doubling
down
After
you receive your first two cards, you may have the option to "double
down". This means you can double your original bet. Most casino
only allow you to double down when the value of the first 2 cards
is 9, 10 or 11. If you double down, the dealer will give you only
one more card and then draw the cards needed to complete his own hand.
Splitting
pairs
When your first two cards have the same value (for example, a pair
of sevens), you have the option to "split". To split, you
have to place another bet equal to your original bet. Then the two
cards are split and you play them as separate hands. Some casinos
allow you to "resplit" if you get another same-value card.
Special
rules apply when you choose to split Aces. When you split Aces, you
only receive one more card on each hand and if you get 21, it is not
considered blackjack.
Insurance
When
the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, some casinos will ask if you
want "insurance". The cost of insurance is half your original
bet. Your insurance bet pays 2 to 1 if the dealer gets blackjack,
which will equal the amount you lose on the original bet. For example,
say your original bet was $10. The dealer has an Ace showing and you
decide to place an insurance bet for $5. If the dealer gets blackjack,
you lose your original $10 bet but win $10 on the insurance bet so
you are even. If the dealer does not have blackjack you lose your
$5 insurance bet and play the hand by normal rules.
Number
of decks
Casinos
deal blackjack from a single deck or from multiple decks. It's traditional
for the dealer to "burn" or discard the top card after shuffling.
Rules
variations
Blackjack
rules may vary from casino to casino. Here are a few rules variations
you may encounter:
-
Dealer
stands on soft 17.
-
Player
may double down on any first two cards.
-
Player
may double down on any number of cards.
-
Player
may double down on split pairs.
-
Player
may "surrender" his hand after the first two cards and lose
half his bet.
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