Blackjack Rules

To triumph at Blackjack you must possess a hand that totals nearer to 21 (but not exceeding 21) than the dealer has.  It is essential to remember this; players simply have to beat the dealers hand, don’t try to get as near to 21 as you are able to.  In the event that you hold a high-quality set of cards and you have a better than average chance that the dealer can’t better it, stand; don’t continue to take playing cards and chance busting (exceeding 21).

Playing cards from two to nine possess the worth shown on the card.  The cards 10, Jack, Queen and King have a value of ten.  An Ace is the most advantageous card and can have a value of either 1 or 11 based on what the participant decides.  Blackjack is made when a player has two playing cards adding up to 21 (an Ace plus another playing card worth ten) it is an automatic winning set of cards.

Playing Blackjack

In an attempt to eliminate cheating casinos don’t allow Blackjack players to touch the cards; in addition to make card counting more tough the casinos make use of several decks of cards at once.  At the start of the game the dealer deals everybody playing (including her/himself) one playing card dealt face up.  Next the dealer deals another playing card to everybody playing, the players cards are dealt face up however the dealers second card is placed face down.

It is vital that players remember that Blackjack isn’t a group game.  Despite the presence of other participants at the Blackjack table, they are not competing with or against you.  A participant playing Blackjack will be playing by him/herself against the dealer; their performance has no effect in deciding the result of your game.

All of the players play prior to the dealer getting her/his turn; a player has two options available to them, the player may stand or obtain one more playing card.  A player who takes another playing card and makes a total that is greater than 21 busts (and automatically loses) with the dealer winning by default.  When all of the players have had their turn the dealer plays.  Dealers make every decision concerning their play by referring to a set of rules (these rules are posted for all to check out).  Usually the dealer has to take one more card if their card total is less than 17 and stand if their hand total is 17 or greater.

After the dealer has played he/she pays off hands superior than hers/his, collects from any participant with a set of cards worse than hers/his and neither pays off nor collects (pushes) a tie hand.

Blackjack Betting

A wager must be made before the cards are dealt.  A participant with a winning hand is paid even money.  A participant who holds a Blackjack gets 3 to 2 (he/she receives $3 for each $2 they bet).

Splitting Pairs – If a players initial two playing cards are of equal worth she/he will have the opportunity to split them.  Both of the pair of cards is then played like a individual hand. If your initial pair of cards are Aces and players elect to split the cards the normal custom is for the house to allow you one additional playing card per Ace, when the playing card has a value of ten players are credited with a hand of value 21 (not a Blackjack) and should a dealer make a Blackjack your set of cards will loose.

Doubling Down – When a player thinks he/she can beat the dealers set of cards with the addition of a single card (and just one more playing card) they are permitted to double their bet before receiving this final card.

Insurance – The insurance wager is a side wager made when an Ace is showing as the dealers face up playing card.  Players may bet that the dealers face down card has a value of ten.  If the face down card has a worth of ten then when combined with the known Ace the dealer will make a Blackjack and the insurance wager will pay 2 to 1.  All of the original wagers are still in play and all the players will be defeated unless they are fortunate enough to tie the dealer by drawing a Blackjack themselves.

Surrender – A few venues have a surrender choice.  A surrender option is one that a player can employ if after looking at their first two cards they decide that he/she will be unable to beat the dealer’s hand.  With the calling out of a surrender the participants turn is finished and the must give up half of their bet.