Blackjack

Perhaps the most popular and easy to learn card game in the casino, Blackjack (also called “21″) provides unlimited options to the player and none to the dealer. Players control the game by controlling the number of cards they choose to accept, and by choosing what to do with those cards once they have been dealt.

REMEMBER: Blackjack is not just a game of chance, but a game of skill.

GOAL: The objective in blackjack is to get closer to 21 total points than the dealer. However, one must be careful not to exceed 21. Dealers must draw until they reach at least 16 points, and after 16 points the dealer must stand.

CARDS: Blackjack is played with a standard 52 card deck. Card values are equal to the number displayed on the card (example 2 of hearts is worth 2 points) with face cards worth 10 points. The only exception in blackjack is that the Ace may be worth either 1 or 11 points. The player has the right to choose the Ace’s value, and may change its value as it best suits the hand. If the player draws an Ace and a 10 it is called blackjack and gets paid 3 to 2 unless the dealer too has blackjack.

BASICS: In blackjack the dealer deals his cards one up, and one down. The down-turned card is only exposed after the player has finished betting.

The player can hit (take a card) or stand (not take any more cards). The decision is the player’s. A push is a term used when the player and the dealer have cards of equal points. A bust is a word for exceeding the 21 point limit.

If a player is dealt cards of equal value (like a 3 of spades and a 3 of diamonds), they may also choose to split and play them as two new and separate hands. The only exception is when splitting Aces, in which case only one card is given to the player for each Ace. Players must bet an equal amount on the newly formed hand as did on the original hand.

Players may also double down. This involves doubling the original bet after the first two cards have been dealt. Players may only receive one card after doubling down.

Surrender allows the player to forfeit betting their hand in exchange for half of their original bet.

When the dealer shows an Ace as his face up card the player may buy insurance. The player is essentially allowed to bet up to half the original bet at 2 to 1 odds that the dealer’s hole card (the face down card) is a 10 or a face card.