BlackJack rules
BlackJack is the most popular casino game of all. BlackJack's
popularity is so high because if played right the odds are much higher
than in any other game. The rules are slightly different from area to area
and from casino to casino. This means you have to make sure you inform
yourself about the exact rules for BlackJack and guidelines each casino
has, before you start gambling. In BlackJack you don't play against any
other players - only against the dealer. The main objective in BlackJack
is to get a hand higher than the dealer's without going over 21.
The game starts with every player making their opening bets. Make sure
to read the sign next to the dealer which indicates the minimum and
maximum table limit. Most online casinos have table limits from as
low as $1 up to $100. After all the players placed their
bets the dealer will start dealing the cards. Starting with the player to
his left he gives every player one card, face down, including himself.
This is the dealers down card. Then he deals a second round of cards, face down but this time the card he deals himself will be face
up.
This is the dealers up card. You now can look at both of your cards
and find your total by simply adding the values of your cards.
The values of the cards in BlackJack from two to ten are at face value.
Jacks, Queens and Kings count ten and the Ace counts
eleven or one. The Ace always counts eleven except if your
total exceeds 21 - then the value of the Ace is reduced to one. A
hand with one Ace having the value of eleven is called a soft hand
and a hand with all Aces having the value of one is called a hard
hand. In BlackJack for instance, if you get an 8 and Ace dealt it
would be a soft 19 while an 8, 10 and Ace would be a hard 19. Getting a
start total of 21 is called a BlackJack and you have to show your
hand immediately. If the dealer's up card is an Ace he checks for a dealer
BlackJack first and then continues the game. Exceeding a total of 21, and
already counting all the aces you have in your hand as one, means you are
bust and lose your bet.
By turn each player will then have to make one of the following five
decisions.
Hit / If you are not satisfied with your current total you can
ask the dealer to hit you which means he deals you another card in
addition to your two. You are hit until you are satisfied with your total,
or until you bust.
Stand / You stand if you don't want any more cards.
Double / If you think you will win without getting more than
one card you double. You have to add an amount equal to your original
wager and receive only one card. If your total is higher than the dealer's
after receiving the card you win.
Split / If your starting hand contains two cards of the same
type (i.e. two 9's) you can split them up into two new hands. You have to
add an equal amount to your wager and get two more cards dealt forming two
separate new starting hands.
Insurance / Insurance is offered to the players if the dealer's
up card is an Ace, to protect against a dealers BlackJack. You will have
to pay half of your original bet and will get 2:1 odds when the dealer has
a BlackJack. Unless you also have a BlackJack your original bet is lost.
Surrender / This decision is quite rare and not offered is most
casinos. After you see your starting hand and the dealers up card and you
don't think you can win, you have to give your cards back to the dealer
immediately. If you surrender you will only lose half of your original
bet. You cannot surrender if the dealer has a BlackJack.
After all the players have made their decision the dealer will then
play his hand. The playing of the dealer's hand must follow certain rules.
He must hit on every total less than 17 or otherwise stand. Some casinos even let the dealer hit when he has a soft 17.
The rules which the dealer has to follow will be written clearly on the
BlackJack table, so there will be no confusion.
You win if either the dealer busts or has a total less than yours. The
odds are 1:1. If the total is the same it's a draw or a push and your
original wager is returned to you. A BlackJack beats an ordinary 21 and
is paid 3:2 odds.
