The game of blackjack is one of the most popular
of the casino games played today, and for good
reason.
Several notes in favor of the game include:
The odds of winning are not
fixed in favor of the house. As the game progresses
the cards in the deck(s) are depleted, and
this changes the composition of the deck.
Blackjack is a pleasantly simple game. Blackjack
rules are few and easy to understand.
Blackjack although simple is in large part
a game of skill, not just luck.
Blackjack stands alone as the casino game
that gives the players their best shot at
winning.
The minimum bets are usually quite low on
certain tables, without decreasing the odds.
Object Of The Game
The object of the game is to get a card point
total closer to 21 than the dealer does without
going over 21. Remember; you are actually playing
to beat the dealer, not to get as close to 21
as possible. Also remember that blackjack is not
a group game, although there may be many players
at the table the dealer only plays with one player
at a time.
Playing The Game
The dealer starts with the player to his/her left
and deals them one card; he/she then proceeds
to deal every player at the table one card and
finally one to himself (face up). He/she then
repeats this order in dealing everyone a second
card except the dealers second card is dealt face
down.
When everyone has their two cards the dealer
again starts with the player to his/her left and
asks if they want additional cards, these cards
are dealt one at a time, until the player busts
or indicates that he/she wants to stand. Once
every player has finished with his/her or her
hand the dealer must play his. The dealer has
rules, printed on the table, that determine his/her
play; these rule usually tell you that the dealer
will take a card when his/her total is 16, and
stand when he/she has a count of 17.
After the dealer has finished with his/her hand,
assuming the dealer doesn't bust, he/she will
pay off bets with better hands, collect bets on
worse hands, or in the case of a tie "pushes".
Players then pick up their winnings, if any, and
may make a new bet as the entire process is repeated
with a new game/hands.
Blackjack Rules
In casinos playing a multi-deck game (most do) all cards are dealt face up,
and the players are not to touch their cards or the original bet on the table.
This speeds up the game somewhat, and reduces the chance of players cheating
by changing either the card or the size of the wager.
The player goes first, and can choose from standing
or hitting. If the players has certain cards,
they may also double down or split. The player
decides what to do depending on what cards he/she
has and what cards the dealer has showing. As
a general rule if the dealer's face up card is
greater than 7, the player has better odds if
he/she hits on a total of 12 to 16. If the player
is dealt cards totaling 17 or more, he/she should
stand, as the likelihood of busting is too high.
Once all of the players are finished the dealer
plays his/her hand. The dealer has the same two
options as the player, however they are governed
by a set of rules. The rules generally state that
if the dealer has 16 or less he/she must take
a card and if he/she has a count of 17 or more
he/she has to stand.
Splitting pairs is an option
given to players when they are dealt two cards
of equal value. You can elect to split them and
play each card as a separate hand. If you split
the cards, you create two separate hands, and
play the one on your right first and then the
one on your left. Often if you split aces you
are allowed to play only one card on each of the
two aces, and if you do get a ten as the second
card it is not considered a blackjack. These hands
will beat a dealers hand if it totals 21, but
lose if the dealer gets a blackjack, and only
pays even money if the player wins. The player
indicates that he/she wishes to split by placing
a bet of equal value on the table next to the
first bet (touching neither the cards nor the
original bet).
Doubling down is done when you
have two cards and feel that you can beat the
dealer with just one more card. You can then double
your bet and receive your one card. To signal
your intention to double down split by placing
a bet of equal value on the table next to the
first bet (touching neither the cards nor the
original bet). While many casinos allow you to
double down on any hand except for when the two
cards total 21, some restrict you to hands totaling
9, 10 or 11.
Surrendering is allowed in some casinos. If you feel that
your two cards will be unable to beat the dealers hand you announce 'surrender',
the dealer then picks up your cards and half of your bet but leaves the other
half of the bet. In some casino's you must announce your surrender decision
before the dealer deals to the first hand.
Blackjack Betting Rules
All betting is done before the first card is dealt.
The players win even money if they better the
dealer, and win 3 to 2 for a blackjack ($15 paid
on a $10 bet).
Insurance bets are offered if the dealer's face card is an
ace. If the dealer shows an ace then he/she will ask if anyone wants insurance,
this is a side bet on the dealer having a card worth ten as his/her face down
card. If you think the dealer has a ten you can bet an amount up to the value
of your original bet and if you are correct you will receive 2 to 1 on your
insurance bet. This has nothing to do with your original bet, you still have
to beat the dealer's hand, if he/she has the ten the best you can do is tie
with a blackjack of your own.
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