Blackjack is a famous casino game played by people all over the world. With the internet offering blackjack sites where you can play blackjack sitting in the comfort of your home, more and more people who don’t know how to play blackjack are learning to do so.
To aim of the game is for players to play against the dealer and not against themselves. They have to get closer to 21 than the dealer does and if you go higher than 21, then you have bust. This is when your hand becomes dead where any money you had bet is lost to the dealer.
In blackjack, Jack, Queen and King are all valued at 10 while the Ace can be either 1 or 11, as you require. If the dealer deals you any 10 value card and an Ace, then the hand is a blackjack, which usually pays 3 to 2.
The start of the game
At the start of the game, the dealer deals all players two cards, including himself. Both of your cards have to be face up throughout the game while only one of the dealer’s card remains face up. There is no need of worrying about the dealer seeing your cards as they have to make decisions on the game depending on rules.
Dealers usually have to hit on 16, and stand on 17. This means that they must take another card from the deck when they have only 16, but cannot take any more cards if they have 17.
To hit or to stand
Once you receive your cards, you have to decide if you wish to hit or stand. If you stand, then all the cards in your hand will stand against the dealer’s hand. If you choose to hit, then the dealer gives you another card face up, which you have to add to your existing total. Remember not to go over 21, lest you bust and end up with a dead hand.
If the dealer shows an Ace upcard during the game, you can take an insurance bet. This bet states that the dealer already has a blackjack in hand. If this is true, the insurance bet pays you 2-1 and if it is false, then the bet is won by the dealer. If you manage to beat a deal without any blackjack during any hand, then you are paid 1:1 on your initial bet amount.
Some playing options found in blackjack
When you play blackjack, you can make one of two options. The first option is to double down, where your hole cards are split. However, on doing this, you have to double your bet and the dealer only deals you one more card.
The second option is to split a pair where you can split the first two cards, if they are a pair. However, you also have to double your bet here and play both hands separately, without any restrictions.
Some blackjack games offer a third in game option called surrender. This is not that a popular option for blackjack players. According to surrender, if the dealer shows an ace, players can surrender their hand after the dealer has checked for blackjack. With this option, you only lose half of your first bet.
