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Blackjack is the most popular table game that is available in casinos. Otherwise known as 21, it is played by professional as well as amateur gamblers. It is simple to learn with straightforward rules and strategies. With its straightforward rules and strategies, it's easy to see why blackjack is considered to be the apex of gambling games by many players.
Aim of Blackjack
The aim of blackjack is to achieve a hand whose combined value is closer to 21 than the dealer's hand, or whose total value comes to 21 exactly, without going over. Blackjack is played against the dealer, so it is important to keep his cards in mind when you deciding on what move to make. If you go over 21 points, you have gone "bust" and you are no longer in the game. Each card has a specific value – an Ace is valued as either 1 or 11, whichever brings the hand closer to 21, while all face cards (Kings, Queens and Jokers) are valued as 10. Cards 2 through 10 are assigned the same points as their face value. Determining how many points the Ace is worth depends on the total value of your hand. If valuing the Ace as 11 would make your hand bust (over 21), then the Ace becomes valued as 1. A hand that contains an Ace that can be valued as either 11 or 1 is known as a "soft hand" (such as Ace, 6), while a hand where the Ace can only be valued as 1 (or else go bust) is known as a "hard hand". Having a hand with two cards that value 21 exactly (such as Ace, 10) is known as blackjack, and is an automatic win for the player unless the dealer was also dealt blackjack, in which case the game is tied. Start of Play
To begin the game, all players must be seated at the table. The players must each place their bets and the dealer then deals two cards to each player and two cards to himself – one facedown and one face up. Players must then decide, one at a time, which move to make. There are a number of different choices available to the players. The basic options a player has is to either hit (be dealt another card) or stand (not be dealt any more cards). A player can hit as many times as they want as long as they do not go over 21. Having 5 cards in your hand with a total value of less than 21 is considered a winning hand. Once you choose to stand, your turn ends. What Else Players Can Do
In addition, there are several other choices that the players have during their turn. Once of these is the "double down", which can be done with a two-card hand. The player chooses to double their bet and receives just one more card. You are then done with play, and if your hand wins you receive twice the doubled bet. Players can also "split" pairs – that is, when you are dealt two matching cards (a pair of 8's, for example), you can choose to split them into two separate hands. You then play each of these hands separately, as if you were playing as 2 separate players. If the dealer's up-card is an Ace, players can buy "insurance". This means that you pay an insurance bet and if the dealer has blackjack, you still lose your original bet, but your insurance bet pays out at 2:1. Finally, the last choice for the player is the "surrender" option. As a matter of fact, this the first move you would make as it can only be made before you draw another card. If you choose to surrender, you fold your hand at the cost of half of your original bet. Not all tables offer the surrender option and some may only offer the option once the dealer has checked for blackjack (known as late surrender). Be sure to check the rules of the online casino or ask the dealer if surrender is available. |
