Written by Blackjack, sometimes also known as twenty-one is one of the most widely played casino games in the world. Each player is dealt an initial two card hand with the object of bringing the total hand value as close as possible to 21 without exceeding it, so that the dealer, who plays after the player, will stop short of the player’s total, or will lose by exceeding 21.
Blackjack is actually a very simple casino game to play and a relatively easy way of winning money in a casino. When you play blackjack in a casino, you have some of the best odds of actually winning. This is really because Blackjack is essentially a game of luck and chance, however there are some strategies you can use to improve your chances of winning.
When you have been dealt your two cards (face down), the dealer will have dealt them self one card face down and one face up. You then basically have a choice of six options;
1) Hit: Get another card.
2) Stand: Keep your current cards and do nothing.
3) Insurance: A bet to break even, only available when the dealer is showing an ace. If the dealer has a blackjack, the insurance bet pays off 2-1 (you break even).
4) Double Down: You double your bet, and get only one more card.
5) Split: Make two hands from one hand, if both cards are the same value. If both of your hands win, you get double the amount of money. If only one wins, you break even. If both hands lose, you lose double the money.
Splitting can make good hands out of bad hands, but of course it can also turn good hands into bad ones! Before splitting, always consider what the effect of splitting will be.
6) Surrender: In many casinos, you can (before playing and after determining if the dealer has a blackjack) choose to give up half of your bet without playing. Surrender is usually desirable when the dealer is showing a face card, and the player has a hand that is likely to bust.
Splitting can turn an excellent hand into a terrible one, and vice versa. Never split two 5′s (Your total is currently 10, so you will probably end up with a better single hand if you hit. It’s always better to split 7′s, 8′s and Aces. Splitting 7′s and 8′s will change likely losers to probable winners. Splitting Aces is advantageous, but remember: You are only allowed to split Aces once, and you can only take one card for each new hand.
Don’t always aim to get 21, just aim to beat the dealer. That’s all you really have to do in principle to win at blackjack, but many people forget this.
When considering your choices, if the dealer’s face-up card is a number card, assume that the one you can’t see is a 10 or a face card. There’s always a reasonable chance that it will be.
If the dealer is showing a face card or an ace, consider surrendering (especially if dealer has an ace). If you are holding 13, 14, 15 or 16, the chances are that you will bust if you decide to hit another card. If the dealer is showing an ace, no matter how bad his first draw is (if he needs to), he will always be able to draw again. This is a big advantage that the house has over the player.
A good score to stand with would be 17 or over. But of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t hit another card and get lucky with a low number….
A good score to double down is 11.
A common misunderstanding of blackjack rules is that, if there is a tie, the dealer wins. This is only true in an informal (non casino) game.
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