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.
